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JennGM
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From this thread:Resusable Grocery Bags: Discussion
JennGM wrote:
Can I veer the discussion a bit and talk about veggie and fruit bags?
This is a big problem area for me. If I solve the problem of what to put veggies in while shopping, what about in the refrigerator?
Some of my veggies need to be wrapped up when in the fridge. Do you use towels?
Looking for help. If I should start a new thread, I'll be happy to. |
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So, I'm looking for two suggestions
1) how to buy veggies and fruits in the store and market; what do you put them in?
2) And then when you get home. Some things definitely don't keep when I leave them open in the crisper. And some things need to be subdivided.
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Betsy
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 I use to forgo the plastic bags. However, as you mentioned Jenn, if I just threw the veggies in the fridge like that they would go bad rather quickly. I have resorted to using the plastic bags, because I think it defeats the purpose when your fresh food goes bad before you eat it. BUT, I would really LOVE to ditch the bags and still keep the veggies fresh for a reasonable amount of time.
So basically I am no help, but all ears! 
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JodieLyn
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things that go bad without a plastic bag are likely dehydrating.. a just damp towel wrapped around them would probably go a long way to helping. Also pay more attention to what you're storing together... things that go in the crisper drawer should all need a higher humidity and then you can keep the whole drawer more humid with the damp towel etc.
I'm sure there must be a resource somewhere that will talk about storage humidity for different veggies.
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MaryM
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This site has some good guidelines for storage without plastic.
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Mary M. in Denver
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MaryM
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And
Sew your Own Produce Bags
Cheap & Easy Fabric Produce Bags
HOw to Make Reusable Produce Bags
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Betsy
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| Posted: Nov 02 2011 at 11:32am | IP Logged
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Mary---GREAT INFO!
I read through this list and realized I was storing just about everything wrong! 
One question: Where do you store veggies that say to store in a cool, dark place *besides* your fridge? My pantry is as warm as the house. I don't have a cellar in the basement....like my Grandmother did.
So, when it says, "Sweet Potatoes‐ Store in a cool, dark, well‐ventilated place. Never refrigerate‐‐sweet potatoes don’t like the cold." Where am I to put these????
Thanks!!!!!
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JennGM
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Good question, Betsy. I've been watching some Holmes Inspection Shows, and they keep talking about "Cold rooms". That's something we don't have!
My potatoes and onions have no place to live, because our pantry is very warm. My basement is finished and isn't that cold, either.
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hylabrook1
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Does the garage work as a cold room during the cooler months? It does for me, up to a point. Then it gets too cold and the potatoes freeze and then they really rot quickly. We do put extra Thanksgiving pies out there (like pumpkin, which is a custard and should be refrigerated). In the summer, I put potatoes and onions in the fridge. My other solution is not to buy ahead very far, so I have less that needs to be stored. It seems I"m near a grocery store or produce stand almost every day anyway, so I'd rather make more visits to the store and not suffer the wasted food $ that comes when I buy ahead and then wind up throwing away things that go bad.
Peace,
Nancy
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JodieLyn
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a garage can be good in the winter.. sometimes even if it freezes if you have your potatoes up off the floor a bit they won't freeze.. we hve a couple of layers of cardboard under a large cardboard moving box. once it starts staying cool in Oct/Nov we start watching for potato sales. I can often get about 150lbs of potatoes at $1/10lbs and I fill up my box... and the potatoes will stay good through the cold months. And I only buy a few bags at a time during warmer months.
Regardless of the temp though. If you keep them low (close to the floor is cooler in any room than higher up unless you have exhaust or heater vents warming that particular space) and in the dark.. also keep potatoes and onions seperate.. they both do better when not stored together. A largish bottom drawer in the kitchen for instance.. or a box of some sort in the pantry or garage.
Pretty much unless you have an actual root cellar with ways to control the temp and humidity it's all just a by guess and by golly and you find the space that works best for what you have to work with.
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Erin
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I use plastic freezer bags, I also have bought two big plastic containers, which fit snugly on one shelf. All veggies go in these, fruit in the bottom drawers.
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SarahCD
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What great questions! I use the plastic bags in the produce section of the store, just because I don't want my veggies and fruit rolling around in the cart! (Oh! How I wish I could sew up some of those fabric bags!) But when I get home, I use Tupperware FridgeSmart Containers. My SIL used to be a consultant, so I got a bunch of them for my wedding (10 years ago!). They really do work well at keeping produce fresher longer. There is a little guide that tells you how to vent the various types of produce ... They are spendy, but Tupperware is so durable! They last forever!! They also sell a container that ventilates onions and potatoes. I keep mine in the pantry, which is warm, but so far they have worked well.
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MaryM
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From this link, I am trying one of the suggestions.
Quote:
| Asparagus‐ place them loosely in a glass or bowl upright with water at room temperature. (Will keep for a week outside the fridge) |
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Just bought asparagus today and am doing this. Would have put it in the fridge before.
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leanne maree
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you are all going to laugh, but I am a big tupperware girl- used it since I was 17.
Ok, so I store potatoes in the crisper. Pumpkin in the crisper and onions.
I store all carrots in a tupperware fridgesmarts as well- with breather holes.
cucumber, tomatoes and zucchini and the like together in another one or 2 and Lettuce in another- but we have a vege garden now, so we take leaves off as we go.
Mushrooms are stored in these tupperware containers too....
Bananas and fruit in the fruit bowl. except Strawberries- in the crisper.
I avoid buying in plastic bags if I can, and take items from them as soon as I get home
So I am with Sarah, nice to see anothe tupperware girl on the list
Leanne 
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Mackfam
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MaryM wrote:
Quote:
| Asparagus‐ place them loosely in a glass or bowl upright with water at room temperature. (Will keep for a week outside the fridge) |
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Just bought asparagus today and am doing this. Would have put it in the fridge before. |
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I put mine in the fridge, too. I'll have to try the upright in water method. Although, mine will keep for a week just fine in my fridge crisper. 
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MaryM
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Mackfam wrote:
MaryM wrote:
Quote:
| Asparagus‐ place them loosely in a glass or bowl upright with water at room temperature. (Will keep for a week outside the fridge) |
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Just bought asparagus today and am doing this. Would have put it in the fridge before. |
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I put mine in the fridge, too. I'll have to try the upright in water method. Although, mine will keep for a week just fine in my fridge crisper. |
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Mine sometimes get mushy tips in the fridge, so I'll see if this helps.
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CatholicMommy
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We've gone to using mesh bags for some things (that don't be "closed up" in the fridge; and solid cotton bags for those things that need to be closed up. For those who don't like or don't have time to sew, there are some great options on Etsy. Contacting the individual sellers for custom orders can help bring prices down a bit too.
I love the link above! Lots of great ideas!
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Buying and Storing Veggies without Bags
