America's Most Wasted.

Lettuce wilting in the fridge? Grapes getting moldy? You’re not alone.

According to the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, about 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted worldwide every year, and of this, fruit and vegetables have the highest wastage rates of any food type. While much of this occurs on the farm or at retail, a lot happens right in your kitchen. The biggest offenders? Lettuce, tomatoes, bananas and grapes. Check out our top produce saving tips for the ones that get tossed the most.

SAVE THE SALAD!

Leafy greens tend to go bad first in your fridge. Luckily, there are a couple ways to prolong its life! If your lettuce comes with the root attached, keep it intact and only pull off the leaves you need. It will stay fresh for a week longer than cut greens. If the root’s not attached, wrap your lettuce in a dry towel and put it in a container in your crisper drawer. Replace the towel when it feels wet and remove any slimy leaves so they don’t spoil the rest.

GET SAUCY

If you have cherry tomatoes that are a bit past their prime, give them some extra time by roasting them! Mix them with salt, pepper and olive oil, then roast at 450F for 20 minutes. Once cool, transfer to an air-tight container and store in the fridge (they’ll last up to a week) or the freezer (up to 6 months). Use them for curries, pasta sauces, chili and more!

COVER UP

It’s no secret that banana stems release ethylene gas - it’s why you can use them to ripen avocados. It’s also why those pesky brown spots start to appear - quickly turning a nice, firm banana to mush. Since most of the offgassing happens at the banana’s crown, try covering it with foil or plastic, this will slow down the ripening process by up to 5 days!

CHILL OUT

Prevent extra grapes from going to waste by tossing them in the freezer! They make a refreshing snack, an easy addition to smoothies, or a tasty ice cube alternative. After removing the stems, washing and drying, arrange on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a storage bag. Frozen grapes will last for up to a year!