Countertop Storage of Fruits and Vegetables

When storing fruits and vegetables on the counter, the storage area should be away from direct sunlight to prevent produce from becoming too warm. To help prevent moisture loss in the produce place the product in a vented plastic bowl or a perforated plastic bag. Do not place produce in sealed plastic bags on the counter because this slows ripening and may increase off-odors and decay due to accumulation of carbon dioxide and depletion of oxygen inside the sealed bag.

To enhance ripening place one ripe apple with every 5 to 7 pieces of fruit to be ripened. The apples and fruit can be place a bowl or paper bag. Fuji and Granny Smith apples do not produce much ethylene and do not enhance repining.

The following fruits and vegetables can be stored on the counter include apples, bananas, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, mangoes, oranges, papayas, persimmons, pineapple, watermelons, dry onions, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, winter squashes.

Fruits that are ripened on the counter and then stored in the refrigerator include avocados, kiwifruit, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums and plumcots.

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