#project3progress

[designumn2015]

Increasing Shelf Life

Hi guys. In lieu of a typical progress update since we already finished our presentations I thought I would post some things I researched when trying to find ways to increase the lifespan of fruits and vegetables on the shelf and at home.

Like was mentioned in our C.O.W Grocers presentation, a third of the food wasted in the U.S. is the in fruits and vegetables category.

This is primarily because they spoil so fast in open air environments. Here are a few products that if you invest the money now and reuse them they will pay for themselves in a few months.

The first are Polythene or “stayfresh” bags:

When fruits and vegetables age they release ethylene gas. These bags absorb the gas, preserve moisture, and also prevent oxidization through a seal. There are different ways to store fruits and vegetables and this works well for your veggies. Out of all the consumer products, this one had the best reviews. Prices for these have a huge range, but it looks like you can get a set of about 20 for under $5. Kinda pricey but you would be surprised how long 20 bags will last you.

Another is the Banana bag:

This one is an insulated bag that still allows the bananas to breathe. The great thing about it is that it is reusable and since bananas tend to go really fast, these eventually pay for themselves. One bag is around $5 and reviews claim it can double the lifespan of a half dozen bananas.

The Food Hugger:

These are stretch silicone ends that you can place on the ends of cut fruit. They are also washable and reusable and work really well in reviews. The downside to these is the price. They go for about $20 for 4 which unless you have a habit of eating fruits in half portions and you REALLY love fruits they aren’t very worth it.

These ones are my favorites based on how well they worked. Unfortunately, all of the reviews are anecdotal so you might want to do your own research in addition before you buy. It is also worth noting that fruits and vegetables have a wide variety of storage needs. Here is a handy website that has a ton of tips for storing them:

http://www.mythirtyspot.com/how-to-store-fruits-and-vegetables-so/

If you have any fruits or vegetables in your fridge go to the site, do a quick f+ ctrl or command, and search for them to see if you’re storing them properly!