How do you store fruits and vegetables so they don't rot or get damaged when on the road? And as far as rotting, I'm thinking especially during hot summer when stuff tends to ripen super fast and go bad.Thank you. :-)

We purchase fruits and vegetables as we go along. We have at most a 2 day supply and then hit the grocery store. The only vegetable we keep plenty of are potatoes. And they lay in one of the cabinets and usually get consumed pretty quick too. Always a 5 pound bag, and never take anything in excess. Unless you're camping a zillion miles and a 60 hour drive to the closes grocery store, purchase as you go, and purchase canned, or fresh and don't stockpile.Things like carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, onions keep well in the refrigerator, and are put in one of the containers in the bottom. They don't get bumped around there and will keep just as long as in your home. Things like bananas, oranges, grapes ... just pad them well when traveling and they'll be fine. The secret is NOT to stockpile. In today's world, that really not necessary, unless you are REALLY off the grid for a year or something like that.

The joy of being on the road is: … Getting to shop at all the local roadside stands & markets as you goWhy store much of anything:h

One option that will help is to store them in a small cooler with a cold pack. The darkness and cool temps will extend their life a little.

And thats what I'll do when I know I'll be be close to shops but sometimes I'll be away from it all while I meander through Mexico, Central America and South America.Altern wrote:The joy of being on the road is: … Getting to shop at all the local roadside stands & markets as you goWhy store much of anything:h

Anyone had luck with those green bags?

How to store fruit/veggies so they don't rot or get damaged?

20 Replies

magentawave
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
Has anyone figured out how to clean toxins and night soil (i.e. poop), etc. off of fruits and vegetables I buy south of the border?
SDPat
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
I have used the green bags and they do work, but not nearly as well as advertised. I saw a post on Facebook about washing fruits and vegetables in a solution of one part vinegar to between 8-10 parts water and letting them air dry before storing in the refrigerator. When I tried it I did notice a big difference in keeping quality of the strawberries, grapes and bing cherries.
SWMO
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
I'm not up on all the associations, but you don't want to store some fruits and vegetables together. Ethylene gas is a ripening agent and some items put off more than others.
Bananas are an example of its effect. They are brought in green and then put in a "gas chamber", given a shot of gas and then shipped. The strength of the process can be seen in bananas. You see them in the store where some are still pretty green, but it doesn't take long before they ripen, which by the way is when they turn black.
If you're going to have fruits and vegetable for any periods of time it would probably be a good idea to Google up the pairings to avoid.
It's also generally a good idea to store vegetables as they are displayed in the grocery store, not a stand. If they are under refrigeration, keep them that way, if not don't put them in the fridge. There are exceptions, tomatoes comes to mind, they don't seem to be bothered by refrigeration and it does extend them some.
Happytraveler
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
BuckBarker wrote:
magentawave wrote:
Is the thing you mentioned that helps fruit and vegetables last longer called BluApple?
http://www.amazon.com/Bluapple-Ethylene-Absorbers-Supply-Refills/dp/B005W4L6SE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390103032&sr=8-1&keywords=bluapple

I'm going to get one of those right away, thank you for mentioning it!

Those are the ones! THEY WORK! You must leave your produce open and not in sealed bags.

BuckBarker wrote:
Bed Bath and Beyond sell those balls with crystals in them that absorb the gasses that vegetables give off. THEY WORK AND WILL PAY FOR THEMSELVES IN A MONTH.

I notice Bluapple has great reviews. I'm going buy one
.
BuckBarker
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
magentawave wrote:
Is the thing you mentioned that helps fruit and vegetables last longer called BluApple?
http://www.amazon.com/Bluapple-Ethylene-Absorbers-Supply-Refills/dp/B005W4L6SE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390103032&sr=8-1&keywords=bluapple

I'm going to get one of those right away, thank you for mentioning it!

Those are the ones! THEY WORK! You must leave your produce open and not in sealed bags.

BuckBarker wrote:
Bed Bath and Beyond sell those balls with crystals in them that absorb the gasses that vegetables give off. THEY WORK AND WILL PAY FOR THEMSELVES IN A MONTH.
CREATO
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
Super_Dave wrote:
Anyone had luck with those green bags?

I was skeptical at first but they work.
magentawave
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
Is the thing you mentioned that helps fruit and vegetables last longer called BluApple?
http://www.amazon.com/Bluapple-Ethylene-Absorbers-Supply-Refills/dp/B005W4L6SE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390103032&sr=8-1&keywords=bluapple

I'm going to get one of those right away, thank you for mentioning it!

BuckBarker wrote:
Bed Bath and Beyond sell those balls with crystals in them that absorb the gasses that vegetables give off. THEY WORK AND WILL PAY FOR THEMSELVES IN A MONTH.
magentawave
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
Seems like a great idea - thank you!

k.jensen6 wrote:
Yes, get the biggest one at the dollar store that will fit in your sink. You won't be sorry!
k_jensen6
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2014
Yes, get the biggest one at the dollar store that will fit in your sink. You won't be sorry!
magentawave
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
And by plastic colander you mean a bowl with a ton of little holes in it?

k.jensen6 wrote:
I put mine in a plastic colander, fits perfectly in the bathroom sink whe traveling. Otherwise usually keep them in the bottom cupboard towards the back of the motorhome. Out of the sunlight and usually cooler there as well.