Produce
Fruits and vegetables — counter vs. fridge, whole vs. cut, and when to toss.
Whole produce often keeps longer than cut. Once you break the skin, moisture and microbes have a path in, so cut fruit and vegetables belong in the refrigerator and get shorter windows. Mold, slime, and off odors mean discard the affected food — do not scrape and serve.
Wash produce under running water before cutting or eating; never with soap. See wash produce, keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat greens (cross-contamination), and common storage mistakes. Flood-contaminated produce is a discard — flood food safety.
Berries
fridge 3–7 days · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Lettuce
fridge 3–7 days · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Potatoes
fridge Not recommended · freezer Do not freeze raw standard windows Onions
fridge 2 months · freezer Do not freeze whole standard windows Avocado
fridge 3–4 days · freezer Purée only, 3–4 months standard windows Apples
fridge 4–6 weeks · freezer Sliced, 8 months standard windows Bananas
fridge ~3 days once ripe · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Tomatoes
fridge Up to 1 week · freezer 2 months standard windows Carrots
fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Celery
fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Mushrooms
fridge 4–7 days · freezer Cook first; 10–12 months standard windows Spinach
fridge 3–7 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Garlic
fridge 1 week · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Grapes
fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Strawberries
fridge 3–7 days · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Blueberries
fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Peaches
fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Pears
fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cherries
fridge 4–7 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Oranges
fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Lemons
fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Limes
fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Watermelon
fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer Not recommended whole standard windows Cantaloupe
fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer Not recommended whole standard windows Honeydew
fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer Not recommended whole standard windows Broccoli
fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cauliflower
fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Brussels Sprouts
fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Asparagus
fridge 3–4 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Green Beans
fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cucumbers
fridge ~1 week · freezer Not recommended standard windows Zucchini
fridge 4–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Bell Peppers
fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Kale
fridge 3–7 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cabbage
fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Arugula
fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Ginger
fridge ~3 weeks · freezer 6 months standard windows Fresh Herbs
fridge 3–7 days · freezer 4–6 months standard windows Guacamole
fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze
39 foods in Produce