What are some basic selection tips for choosing fresh produce?
Choose fresh-looking fruits and vegetables that are not bruised, shriveled, moldy, or slimy. Don’t buy anything that smells bad. Don’t buy packaged vegetables that have a lot of liquid in the bag or that look slimy. Some fruits, such as fresh-cut pineapple, will have liquid in the bag, and that’s OK. Buy only what you need because most fruits and vegetables are not “stock-up” items. Some, such as apples and potatoes, can be stored at home, but most items should be used within a few days. Handle produce carefully at the store. Keep produce on top in your shopping cart (heavy items on top will bruise fruits and vegetables, and raw meat products might drip juices on them). Set produce gently on the checkout belt so it doesn’t bruise. Some items that may seem hardy, such as cauliflower, actually are very delicate and bruise easily.
