URBANA, Ill. – After a bountiful summer harvest, ensure fresh fruits and vegetables are safely stored to enjoy for months to come. Whether purchased from a farmers market or grocery store or harvested from the garden, extending the shelf-life of fall fruits and vegetables will allow families to enjoy the health and financial benefits well past the growing season.

A free 30-minute University of Illinois Extension online workshop will provide tips for storing your harvested fruits and vegetables. The workshop, led by Diane Reinhold, Extension nutrition and wellness educator, begins at noon Aug. 18 and is part of a summer-long series, Eat Fresh | East Local. Participants will have an opportunity to ask their questions live. 

Reinhold will share information on curing squash, as well as the best conditions for storing root vegetables, winter squash, and apples.

“Understanding the impact of temperature and humidity on select fruits and vegetables while in storage will help you extend not only the shelf-life but also the quality of fall produce,” Reinhold says.

Register at go.illinois.edu/EatFreshEatLocal. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, email Reinhold at dreinhol@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

Previous workshop topics include buying community-supported agricultural boxes from local growers, tips for buying and selling at farmers markets, and safe home food preservation. Recording are available for viewing at go.illinois.edu/nutritionwell.

SOURCE: Diane Reinhold Nutrition and Wellness Educator, University of Illinois Extension

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