GainesvilleMoms.com

The fact that families (including mine) are struggling with the declining economy made an article I found on the Internet today that much more interesting. I couldn't believe how much money families (again, including mine) are throwing away in the form of rotten fruit and spoiled vegetables. I guess I didn't realize what I was doing until I read about it...

I talked with a local produce manager, and he gave me some great tips on how to make produce last longer. Read the article and tips at parentingtimes.gainesville.com. And if you have any family secrets, please share!

I didn't know that about lettuce. That's definitely one that I throw away at the first sign of wilting. I'll have to try it next time. I've actually stopped buying as much produce because I hate throwing it away.

Bananas are our worst. My husband used to make smoothies when they got soggy but I hate the brown spots and we always end up tossing them.

I have a problem with strawberries. It seems like the day after I buy them, there are already several that look too mushy to eat! I'm going to try washing them as I eat them like the produce manager suggested. For some reason, it bothers me to put unwashed produce in my fridge, but I guess I'll just have to get over it

Well, speaking of rotten produce, I've been buying it already rotten lately. I went to SuperWalmart and got some of those presliced apples in a bag. I opened it up and the smell hit me and then I looked on the bag and it said expired July 23rd yet it was right on the shelf. and my husband bought a bag of apples at Publix and they were rotten too.

has anyone tried those bags they advertise on tv that allow the bad gases to escape?

we don't really have that problem in my house, they seem to eat it before i get it out of the bag!

Something else to with leafy veggies is place a paper towel in ziplock. Lay the bag flat and place in your lettuce/leaves, then another paper towel (sorta like a sandwich) and then close the bag and store in the fridge.
I found that the paper towel soaks up the extra moisture in the leaves and doesn't wilt them, making the leafy veggies last longer.

What a good idea! I am definitely going to have to try that. Lettuce was just buy one get one at Publix, so I want to make sure it doesn't go bad before I get though it!