Seasonal events

How to #StretchOutAndSave your fresh food this summer

How to #StretchOutAndSave your fresh food this summer

It’s summertime, the sun is shining and we’re all – hopefully – eating lots of delicious fresh fruit and veg. But, in warmer weather, how to keep your food fresh for as long as possible?

We’ve all had the frustrating experience of strawberries over-ripening, spuds sprouting and lettuce leaves wilting before they can be eaten. And nobody likes spending good money on food only to throw it in the bin.

During the summer months, most of us eat more fruit and veg. And, naturally, we want to make sure our fruit and veg stay fresh for as long as possible.

Our research shows about 40% of the fruit and veg we buy goes to waste. But this doesn’t have to be the case. There are lots of simple steps you can take to make sure your fruit and veg last longer.

The Power of Proper Storage

The first thing to think about is how best to store your fruit and veg so they keep fresher for longer. Don’t be tempted to come home from your weekly shop and just chuck everything in the fridge.

Not all vegetables and fruit are alike, so there’s no single best way to store them all. When deciding where to store fresh food, you need to think about time, temperature, humidity and light. These are key factors in keeping fruit and veg fresh (or not, as the case may be!) for longer.

Did you know it’s best to store carrots in the fridge, but tomatoes on the counter? Or that onions and potatoes should be kept in a cool, dark place for maximum freshness – but not together, as onions will make your spuds sprout faster?

It can feel like a bit of a minefield but, luckily for you, we’re here to help! We’ve produced this handy guide, which shows you – at a glance – where best to store different types of fruit and veg. For a more detailed breakdown of how to store all the main food types, check out our A-Z of Foods. This has everything you need to know to prevent food waste in your home.

#StretchOutAndSave Campaign

This week, we’re launching our #StretchOutAndSave campaign, focused on making fresh food last longer. So, over the next fortnight, we’ll be sharing lots more advice and tips on boosting your berries, saving your spuds and making your lettuce leaves last longer. Stay tuned!

To follow us on social media, find us at the links below: