What is the Shelf Life of Produce?

In a recent report by Recycle Track Systems (RTS), the United States tosses around 40 million tons of food annually; 43% of the waste is contributed by the average American household while 40% comes from grocery stores and foodservice. Not only does that cause a significant ecological impact, but also an economical one as retailers and customers are literally throwing away money. One of the ways to combat such significant food waste is to stay informed and vigilant on the shelf life of fruits and veggies.

Since produce is a fresh grocery item, it doesn’t have the same shelf life as its boxed or canned counterparts, meaning fruits and vegetables can expire and become unsafe to eat relatively quickly. If you’re unsure how long to keep fruits and vegetables, this article outlines the shelf life of produce. By knowing when your fruits and vegetables are past their prime, you can not only be more efficient with your money but also minimize waste.

How Long Does Produce Last at Room Temperature?

Depending on how you store or display your produce, most items will last for at least a few days. Here’s a breakdown of how long produce will generally last:

Fruits

• Apples: 2-3 weeks at room temp


• Citrus (lemons, limes, oranges): 1-2 weeks at room temp


• Bananas: 2-5 (ripened) when at room temperature


• Pears: 2+ weeks


• Tomatoes: 4-6 days


• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries): 7-10 days


• Peaches: 2-4 weeks


• Melons (honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupe): 2-3 weeks


• Avocados: 3-7 days depending on ripeness


• Cucumbers: 1-2 weeks

Veggies

• Lettuce: Up to 1 week


• Cabbage: Up to 2 weeks


• Potatoes: 1-5 months


• Onions: 1-3 months


• Garlic: 1-5 months


• Peppers: 5-7 days


• Summer squash: 3-5 days


• Winter squash: 1-2 months


• Greens (spinach, kale): 3-5 days or 10-14 days when bagged

Fresh Herbs

• Basil: 3-5 days


• Rosemary: 1-3 weeks


• Thyme: 1-2 weeks


• Parsley/Cilantro: 3-5 days


• Mint: 1-3 weeks

How Long Does Produce Last in the Fridge?

Most produce can be stored in a refrigerated environment to prolong its shelf life—and some produce items should even be refrigerated for storage. For grocery stores, keeping refrigerated produce at the right temperature can further prolong the shelf life, so checking the proper temperature for each type of fruit and vegetable is crucial. Here are some shelf life ranges for produce that can be refrigerated:

• Apples: 1-2 months


• Citrus (lemons, limes, oranges): 1 month


• Grapes: 1-2 weeks


• Root veggies (carrots, parsnips, radishes, turnips): 1-2 months


• Zucchini: 7-10 days


• Mushrooms: 7-10 days


• Peppers: 2-3 weeks


• Broccoli: 1-2 weeks


• Cauliflower: 2-4 weeks

It’s important to note that certain produce should not be stored in an enclosed refrigerator due to the high amount of ethylene they produce. Ethylene is a gas that can cause produce to spoil faster, so it’s a good call to keep these high producers away from other food items. Common high ethylene emitters include apples and pears, so they should be stored on their own to extend the shelf life of other fruits and vegetables.