One of my favorite things about Madison is the abundance of farmers markets scattered throughout the city. Each stand offers something unique, from fresh local produce and dairy to handmade soaps and candles, connecting us to the local community and land that sustains us. At the same time, I’m conscious of the looming issue of food waste: improperly stored or excess produce often goes uneaten, contributing to environmental problems like methane buildup in landfills. As someone who strives to reduce food waste at home through portioning and proper storage, I am excited to share a new Green Life seasonal series: Store It Right: Green Life’s Seasonal Produce Guide. This fall, we’re focusing on apples!
Fall is a season I especially cherish for all its rustic activities: hayrides, corn mazes, and–of course–apple picking. But with apple season comes a familiar challenge: sometimes you pick more than you can eat! While baking a big pie is always an option, often you might just want to savor the crisp, fresh fruit for a little longer.
Tips to Help Your Apples Stay Fresh Longer
Keep them cool
Apples grow best in cold conditions, and the same principle applies once they’re picked. Storing apples in a refrigerator at about 38˚F to 40˚F helps maintain their quality. Warmer temperatures (at around 60˚F and higher) can cause apples to degrade up to six times faster.
Remove bruised apples from the drawer
Spoiled or bruised apples can speed up the ripening and decay of nearby fruit. Regularly check your produce, keep only healthy apples in the drawer, and move any damaged ones to another part of the fridge so they can be eaten first.
Give them space to breathe
As apples respire, they release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening – and eventually, spoilage. Make sure the apples aren’t packed tightly together. While some sources suggest poking holes in a plastic bag, we recommend more sustainable options below.
Try Sustainable Apple Wrapping Methods
Recycled Newspaper method
Wrapping apples in newspaper and using recycled papers that you find around your house helps prevent them from touching each other, absorbs excess moisture, and slows spoilage by trapping ethylene gas.
Reusable produce bags
For a low-waste alternative, our organic cotton mesh produce bags are a great choice. Available in three sizes, these breathable bags allow air circulation to prevent premature ripening while keeping your apples fresh. They’re reusable, eco-friendly, and fully compostable at the end of their life—perfect for reducing plastic waste at home.
This same storage method works well for other ethylene-producing fruits too, like pears, persimmons, and stone fruits such as plums, nectarines, and peaches. Keeping them cool, separated, and in breathable bags helps extend their freshness just like it does for apples.
This fall, enjoy the crisp mornings and colorful leaves while keeping your apples fresh and minimizing food waste. Savor the season, one bite at a time!
