VEGETABLE STORAGE GUIDE
| Vegetables | Look for Vegetables that are… | How to Store/Maximum storage time |
| Artichokes | Compact, plump, heavy globes with tight, fleshy scales and good green color. | Refrigerate, 2-3 days. |
| Asparagus | Tender, bright green, compact tips. | Refrigerate, unwashed, in plastic bag. 1-2 days. |
| Beans, Lima | Well-filled, crisp, dark green pods. | Refrigerate, in plastic bag. 2 days |
| Beans, snap | Firm and crisp pods that snap easily. | Refrigerate, in plastic bag. 2-3 days. |
| Beets | Medium size, smooth and blemish-free with no soft spots. | Cut off tops 2 inches above crown. Refrigerate, in plastic bag. 3-4 days. |
| Broccoli | Compact and green clusters with no show of yellow flowers. | Refrigerate, in closed plastic bag. 4-5 days. |
| Brussel Sprouts | Firm, compact and bright green with no signs of worms or lice damage. | Trim damaged leaves. Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 3-4 days. |
| Cabbage | Solid, hard, and heavy for size. | Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Carrots | Firm, clean, of good shape and color. | Remove tops, wash. Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Cauliflower | Heavy and compact with clean, white color and no smudgy spots indicating lice. | Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 2 days. |
| Celery | Crisp; clean, of medium length with fresh looking leaves. | Wash, refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Corn | Fresh green husks and cobs filled with milky kernels. | Refrigerate if unable to use immediately. Do not husk until ready to cook. |
| Lettuce | Clean, crisp, tender, free from brown areas. | Wash, drain, refrigerate in closed plastic bag lined with paper towel. |
| Mushrooms | Young, plump, small to medium, clean, white, with closed caps. | Refrigerate on shallow tray covered by moist paper towel. 2-3 days. |
| Okra | Tender, fresh, small to medium pods that snap easily. | Cool, moist area or refrigerate. |
| Onions (all kinds) | Firm, well-shaped with dry skins and no sign of sprouting. | Keep dry. Refrigerate or store in pantry. 1-2 months. |
| Parsnip | Smooth, well-shaped, small to medium size | Refrigerate in plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Peas | Young, tender pods with bright green color. | Refrigerate unshelled. 1-2 days. |
| Peppers | Mature, firm, well-shaped of bright green and/or red color. | Refrigerate or store in cool, moist area. 1-2 weeks. |
| Potatoes, sweet | Smooth, firm and bright yellow (sweet potatoes) or reddish orange (yams). | Do not refrigerate. Keep cool, dry arid dark. Very perishable. |
| Potatoes, white | Reasonably smooth and clean with no signs of green or sprouting. | Do not refrigerate. Keep cool, dry and dark |
| Spinach | Crisp, crinkly, and un-bruised with good green color and no spindly or overgrown stalks. | Refrigerate in plastic bag. 1-2 days. |
| Squash, summer | Firm and heavy for size with tender rind. | Refrigerate in plastic bag. 7-8 days |
| Squash, winter | Mature and heavy for size with hard, dry rind. | Keep cool and dry in pantry. If cut, refrigerate in plastic bag. |
| Tomatoes | Firm and of good color but not over ripe. | Store at room temperature (stem end down) until ripe. Then refrigerate. |
| Turnips | Firm, smooth of medium size with few fibrous roots. | Remove tops. Refrigerate in plastic bag or store in cool pantry. |
