Keep Your Produce Fresh Longer

Did you know that using natural cotton bags will keep your produce fresh longer?

As produce sits and ages, it begins to emit ethylene gas, which is what causes fruits and vegetables to rot so quickly. The breathable cotton fabric of our produce bags allows ethylene gas to escape, while plastic bags trap this gas inside.  Who would have thought that those “free” plastic produce bags were actually costing them money! 

Cotton bags will protect your produce while protecting our planet.  Our produce bags are the ultimate in Eco-friendliness, being NATURAL, SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, BIODEGRADABLE, COMPOSTABLE, REUSABLE, RECYCLABLE, and ZERO WASTE.

Fresh Greens in Muslin Bag

Produce Storage in Muslin Bags

The muslin fabric helps keep produce crisp and fresh. Once home from the market, spray any leafy greens, drip off any excess water, and put them into a muslin bag while damp. The fabric absorbs this water and contains moisture (similar to wet paper towels) that protects refrigerated greens from dehydration and wilting.  This method works best for leafy greens and delicate produce such as lettuce, spinach, chard, kale, basil, parsley, cilantro, herbs, and green beans. 

Be sure to occasionally check on these items in the fridge, while this method does prolong the life of produce, it will eventually go bad.  Don’t let your food go to waste!

Produce to store in DRY muslin bags include avocados, mushrooms, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and much more. These bags perform similar to a brown paper bag for accelerating ripening.  Put green avocados in a muslin bag with a high ethylene producing fruit, like bananas, and place it in a sunny spot to speed up ripening.

Best Storage Tips with Muslin Produce Bags
Step 1: Bring Produce Bags when Shopping
Step 1: Bring Produce Bags when Shopping

Use Produce Bags in place of disposable plastic produce bags to hold your fruits & veggies. Muslin Bags are ideal for leafy greens like spinach & lettuce, or thin skinned produce like cauliflower or berries.

Step 2: Rinse Leafy Greens
Step 2: Rinse Leafy Greens

Rinse off the leafy produce at home in cool water, gently shaking off any excess moisture. Then place the greens back into the Muslin Produce Bag, allowing the bag to soak up the extra water.

Step 3: Store Damp in the Fridge
Step 3: Store Damp in the Fridge

Moistened bags and veggies can be placed in the crisper drawer to keep fresh for 1-2 weeks!

Step 4: Store Dry on the Counter or Fridge
Step 4: Store Dry on the Counter or Fridge

Other fruits & veggies can be left in dry bags either in the fridge or on the countertop.

 
Hanging Onions in Mesh Bags

Produce Storage in Mesh Bags

The 1/8-inch netting provides excellent air circulation to the produce inside, so is prime for thicker skinned fruits and vegetables. For produce that needs this air circulation, such as potatoes, onions, garlic, and tomatoes, place the bag on the countertop or hang it by the drawstring in a cool, dark place (just don’t forget about them for too long). Do NOT store onions and potatoes in the same bag, or in close proximity to one another, as the onions will cause the potatoes to rot.

In the refrigerator, you can store peaches, apples, oranges, squash, carrots, as well as most thick-skinned items in either mesh or muslin bags.

Best Storage Tips with Mesh Produce Bags
Step 1: Bring Produce Bags when Shopping
Step 1: Bring Produce Bags when Shopping

Use Produce Bags in place of disposable plastic produce bags to hold your fruits & veggies. Mesh Bags are ideal for thick skinned produce like apples & oranges, or root vegetables like onions, potatoes, & garlic.

Step 2: Hang up for Full Ventilation
Step 2: Hang up for Full Ventilation

For produce that needs ventilation, hang the produce right in the Mesh Bag in a pantry to air dry. Be sure to keep onions and potatoes in separate bags though, storing them together accelerates rotting, yuck!

Step 3: Store Produce on the Counter
Step 3: Store Produce on the Counter

Other produce like tomatoes & avocados can be left right on the counter to continue ripening.

Step 4: Or Dry in the Fridge
Step 4: Or Dry in the Fridge

Already ripened produce can be placed in the fridge for longer storage. Tip: If the produce isn't refrigerated at the store, don't refrigerate it at home!

 
Bulk Bin Grains in Glass Jars

Bulk Shopping with Muslin Bags

Muslin bags are perfect for zero waste bulk bin shopping.  With a washable marker, write the bin number on the bag for easy checkout.  Once home, transfer the items to glass mason jars or similar container for airtight storage, and throw the used bags in the wash machine to remove the marker.

Be sure to wash any produce bags used for storage purposes or bulk shopping before using them again. This way, any harmful bacteria is destroyed and cross contamination amongst produce and bulk is prevented.

Best Storage Tips for Bulk Bin Shopping
Step 1: Bring Bulk Bags when Shopping
Step 1: Bring Bulk Bags when Shopping

Use Bulk Bags in place of disposable plastic bags for bulk bin shopping. Roll down the top hem of the bag and remove the internal security flaps.

Step 2: Fill Up the Bags
Step 2: Fill Up the Bags

With a washable marker, write the PLU Number straight onto the bag (inside the rectangle), fill it up, replace the security flaps, and pull the drawstring closed to keep everything inside.

Step 3: Transfer to an Airtight Container
Step 3: Transfer to an Airtight Container

Once home, easily transfer all your bulk goods into jars or containers by holding the bag by two corners and tilting while the food pours out. Use a large funnel if you need extra help!

Step 4: Store in a Pantry or Cupboard
Step 4: Store in a Pantry or Cupboard

To help preserve the freshness of the bulk goods, store the containers in a cool dark place once filled. Then just throw the inside out bag into the wash to remove the marker for your next shopping trip.