Fresh Produce Storage Tips

• Store unwashed cherries in a plastic bag (or like container) in the refrigerator, and wash just before eating. Eat fresh cherries within 2-4 days for best flavor and texture.
• Store unwashed apples in the coldest part of your refrigerator (or crisper drawer) away from strong-smelling foods. Rinse under cold water just prior to eating.
• Like apples, pears should be stored in the refrigerator. The only exception is if you are trying to ripen the fruit.
• To ripen pears, place them on the counter top at room temperature. Then, check for ripeness daily by gently pressing your thumb into the neck of the pear. Once the pear gives slightly to pressure, it is ripe and ready to eat.
• Peaches, nectarines, and apricots should be ripe and ready to enjoy after purchase. If they are too firm for your liking, put them on the counter top for a day or two. Otherwise, the refrigerator is the best place to store summer fruits.
• Like cherries, blueberries are extremely perishable. Maintain freshness by storing unwashed blueberries in your refrigerator. Sort the berries occasionally to remove any spoiled fruit. Only rinse with cold water when you are ready to eat!

Make your fruit last even longer by freezing it! Here are general freezing steps to use on most fruits:

• Wash the fruit under cool running water.  For smaller fruits like cherries or blueberries, leave the stems on. For larger fruits (apples, pears, peaches, etc.), remove the core or pit and slice the fruit into two-inch chunks.
• Let the fruit air dry. Once fairly dry, sprinkle a bit of lemon juice on the fruit to prevent browning.
• Spread the fruit on a cookie sheet or baking dish and place them in the freezer to harden until frozen solid.
• Place frozen fruit in plastic container or sealed bag. Then, squeeze out and limit as much air as possible.
• Mark the bag with today's date and then store in freezer until needed.
• Use and consume the fruit within 3 months for best flavor, although some fruits can be stored for up to a year if desired.
• When defrosting, be sure to defrost in the refrigerator, not at room temperature to help maintain firmness and keep the juice in the fruit.