**** Dietitian support during COVID-19****

• Advice for the general public on COVID-19 nutrition
• Many dietitians offer services virtually and they are covered by most employee health benefit plans. Find a dietitian here.

Do you love biting into a crisp and juicy apple? Storing fruit properly will keep them fresher and tastier for longer.Bonus! Watch the video How to store fruit to keep them fresh to see this information in action.

Storing fruit in the fridge

• Most fresh fruit, including apples, berries and grapes, will last longer if kept in their original packaging and stored in the crisper of your fridge.
• Berries can last in the fridge for about a week. It’s a good idea to eat as soon as possible so they don’t spoil.
• Plastic bags with tiny vents (openings) help keep fruit fresh longer by releasing moisture. They are great for grapes, blueberries, cherries or strawberries.

Did you know? Apples cause other fruit and vegetables to ripen faster. Keep them in a separate place in the fridge, if possible.

Fruits that need to ripen first on the counter

Fruit that should ripen on the counter are: apricots, avocados, guava, kiwi, mangoes, melons, nectarines, papaya, peaches, bananas and plums. Once they are ripe, you can store them in the fridge.

Recommended fruit storage times in the fridge:

Remember – these are guidelines. You’ll need to use your best judgement when deciding if a fruit is safe to eat. 

Can I store fruit in a root cellar?

Yes. Fruit like apples can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place like a root cellar (or even a dark cupboard) for about six months depending on the temperature and humidity of your cellar.

Freeze your fruit if you can’t eat it right away

Most fruit can be frozen and is a delicious way to enjoy ripe fruit all year long. Frozen fruit is great for making smoothies, adding to hot cereal, using in muffins and quick breads, mixing with yogurt, or making a fruit sauce for pancakes and waffles.  Most fruit will be fine in the freezer for up to one year.

To freeze fruit:

There are a number of different ways to freeze fruit. You can freeze them whole, in small pieces or pack them in a jar with syrup.

This method works well for freezing berries:

1) Gently wash the berries with water and drain.

2) Spread berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place in freezer. This helps to keep the berries from sticking together.

3) When the berries are hard, place berries into labelled freezer bags or containers.

How long can I store canned fruit?

• Canned fruit can be kept for 1-2 years. Label the can with the date to help you keep track of how long it has been in your cupboard.
• Some canned fruit will have a “use by” date. This is how long the food will be at its best quality as decided by the manufacturer.

Time saving tip — Do you want some of your fruits to ripen faster? Place the fruit in a paper bag with an apple or banana. Apples and bananas release a gas that helps other fruit to ripen.

Watch the video How to store fruit to keep them fresh to see this information in action.