Will those plastic bags from the grocery store keep your produce fresh?

If you’ve ever stood in the produce department, trying to open a flimsy plastic produce bag wondering if it is even worth it — the answer is yes. Skipping the bag altogether and placing your fresh foods directly in an unsanitary cart that can host up to 361 times more bacteria than a bathroom doorknob, is certainly enough to want to fuss with the feeble bags. Protection from germs is about the extent of their purpose though.

The plastic produce bag is not meant as a food storage bag and inhibits air circulation needed to keep your produce fresh. Fruits, like apples, peaches, and pears, emit ethylene gas that causes fruit to quickly over-ripen. Properly storing like items together and allowing this gas to escape will help maintain freshness while in the refrigerator. Some of the containers that your produce comes in will allow for your produce to breathe and can act as temporary storage. Most of these items, like grapes, berries, and cut greens, should be eaten within a week of purchase. 

Fresh produce without the plastic bag

There are environmentally friendly alternatives to the grocer’s plastic bag. Reusable linen and cotton bags allow airflow to your produce, are easy to keep clean and can last five years or more. Many places are already switching to a no plastic shopping experience and having your own produce bags are an easy adjustment to your grocery shopping routine.

Whether you are storing your produce in the refrigerator, on the counter, or in your pantry, ditch the plastic bags or at the very least poke some holes in them to allow for air flow. Storing your produce properly will help reduce food waste, create less trips to the store, and make it more accessible for easy meal prep and snacking. Take a few minutes to organize your refrigerator and pantry. Jars on the door of the refrigerator for fresh herbs and hanging baskets in your pantry are convenient places to store your produce eliminating the want to keep produce in plastic at all.