free printable download helping you determine how long different fresh produce lasts!
I’ve gotten a number of questions about how to make the most of your produce with a 2 week grocery shop.
My advice is to utilize the fresh produce that lasts 1 week or less within the first week (see chart below for what those are) and then rely on heartier/longer lasting produce as well as frozen produce in week 2!
Use the below charts to help guide your meal planning so you’re getting the most out of the groceries you’re buying!
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LIST BY TIME:
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LIST BY TYPE:
Hope this helps! Have questions about other items? Let me know in the comments!
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I am interested in knowing how long after the best before date you can safely use food (those kept in the pantry or the fridge. Thanks
Hi Sharon! The FDA says that “quality dates (such as “Best If Used By,” “Use By,” and “Sell By,” which are used to describe when a food may be at its best quality) indicate the food manufacturer’s estimate of how long a product will retain its best quality. If stored properly, a food product should be safe, wholesome, and of good quality after the quality date.” Hope that helps 🙂
How long does fresh garden squash last after cut up and put in ziplock bags in the fridge
Once cut, if stored in an airtight bag or container, it should last at least four days 🙂
There are quite a few things mentioned in your list that should NEVER be kept in a fridge…
Thanks for sharing! Feel free to share your expertise in the comments! 🙂
I would like to print the list but it won’t let me. My email is croschere.b@yahoo.com
Please email the list to me so I can print it. Thank You
Hi Belinda, here is the image – you should be able to print from there! Let me know if you’re still having issues 🙂
how long does a carton or a
12 eggs last, past the experation
date?
Hi Brian! This list focuses on fresh produce, but per the FDA’s website, “quality dates (such as “Best If Used By,” “Use By,” and “Sell By,” which are used to describe when a food may be at its best quality) indicate the food manufacturer’s estimate of how long a product will retain its best quality. If stored properly, a food product should be safe, wholesome, and of good quality after the quality date.” Hope that helps!
Very interesting Are there other recipes?
Hi Shellee – you can find recipes in this section of my site or use the “Recipes” drop-down menu at the top of my site to find a specific meal type 🙂
Information was very helpful hence the need to know more about other fruits and vegetables. Thanks
Thank you very much
Best way to keep bananas and tomatoes
Room temp for both! With bananas, afteer about 2-5 days in a fruit basket, you can peel and place in an airtight container and freeze to use in smoothies 🙂
How long do MUSHROOMS last? Is there a way to make them last longer without freezing them?
Hi Melanie! Food52 wrote a great piece on storing mushrooms that I’ve found super helpful for myself. Here it is: https://food52.com/blog/25752-how-to-store-mushrooms
It seems that produce used to last much longer, as stated in your charts. What we are getting from our grocers lasts about 1/2 as long as was you are stating. Anything to help prolong produce life besides proper storage? Thanks!
Storage, temperature and what you’re storing alongside the produce items are definitely the biggest factors. Here’s a great write-up I’ve found helpful that goes much more in-depth on all of that! 🙂
Recipes sound really yummy and healthy.
Great information to have on hand.
Also recipes sound really yummy and healthy.
What about mushrooms? I don’t refrigerate them (they get slimy), put them in the pantry (usually lightly wrapped in paper towel) next to the potatoes
Ah interesting – I think you’re onto something! I’ve heard mushrooms stay fresh longer if you take them out of their container and wrap them in paper towels then store them in open paper or plastic bags in the fridge. Here’s another, more in-depth write up on it: https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-store-mushrooms-skills-showdown-23228612