You Don’t Need Plastic to Keep Fall Produce Fresh – These 5 Storage Tricks Will Keep Your Veggies Crisp and Flavorful

Cooking and eating seasonally is a great way to spruce up your meal plans and get the most flavor from your food, especially in the colder months. But how do you store fall produce without mountains of plastic?

I asked chefs and pro organizers for their best fall food storage ideas that cut back on plastic waste, and they'll even keep your food fresher for longer.

5 Ways to Store Fall Produce Without Plastic

1. Wrap Root Veg in Cotton

Root vegetables are a hearty foundation for so many fall and winter dishes, but they can quickly turn rubbery in storage.

To counter this, Edmund “Ed” McCormick, food science specialist, culinary author, and founder of Cape Crystal Brands, suggests, 'Wrap carrots, beets, or parsnips in a slightly damp cotton towel and place them in a cool cabinet or fridge drawer. The towel regulates humidity and prevents roots from becoming limp.'

You can find 100% cotton muslin fabric at Walmart, ideal for cutting to size for storing fall produce.

2. Mesh Bags for Onions

Breathability is key for a lot of fall produce, a factor that plastic kitchen storage does not take into account.

For foundational essentials such as onions and garlic, Ed recommends switching to mesh bags from Wayfair instead.

He explains, 'Airflow prevents sprouting and spoilage. Hanging them in a cool corner or pantry looks rustic, and it frees up counters.'

Alternatively, you can keep onions and squash-type produce in pull-out baskets, such as the Stackable Wire Pantry Baskets from Target, adds Angelia York, professional organizer and VP at Saint Louis Closet Co.

'They let your food breathe while keeping your pantry organized and visually pleasing,' she adds.

3. Lined Glass for Leafy Greens

Fresh greens are some of the worst offenders for quick spoilage, creating unnecessary trash at home.

Rather than bundling them in plastic, however, Amanda Anderson, plant-based chef and founder of Plant-Based Sis, says, 'I wrap them lightly in a damp cloth or paper towel and pop them in a glass container in the fridge.' The Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage from Target is ideal for this.

'They stay crisp for days without needing any plastic.'

4. Ferment Surplus

Polya Petrova, cleaning and organizing expert at Fantastic Services, recommends preserving surplus fall produce to make it last through the seasons and add flair to your cooking.

She explains, 'fermenting surplus vegetables, such as cabbage or carrots, in glass jars extends their shelf life and adds nutritional value.'

Glass fermenting jars, from Walmart, are a must for this.

5. Display Hard-Skinned Squash

You may have heard of using kitchen tools such as chopping boards and oil bottles to decorate kitchen counters, but how about using your fall produce for a stylish twist?

Amanda shared, 'Hard-skinned squash and pumpkins do surprisingly well just sitting in a cool, dry spot on the counter or pantry. No bag required, and they’ll keep for weeks.'

What to Shop

Meet the Experts

Edmund McCormick

Edmund McCormick is the founder and CEO of Cape Crystal Brands, a food science company specializing in natural hydrocolloids, emulsifiers, and thickeners for modernist and clean-label cooking. He is the author of numerous food-science articles and the comprehensive 600-page reference book Beginner’s Guide to Hydrocolloids: Understanding Food Thickening, Emulsification, Stabilizing, and Jellification.

Angelia York

Angelia has dedicated over 30 years to transforming and organizing homes. She specializes in helping clients maximize their storage through stylish, tailor-made solutions. In addition to working directly with homeowners, Angelia partners closely with builders to design custom storage systems that enhance the functionality of new homes and add long-term value.

Amanda Anderson

Amanda is a plant-based chef, recipe developer, and Caribbean food expert on a mission to prove that vibrant, flavour-packed dishes don’t need meat or dairy to hit the spot. Trained by tradition and sharpened by over 20 years of plant-based living. She specializes in bold, soulful recipes rooted in Jamaican heritage.

While you are upgrading your fall produce storage, work through a quick fall pantry reset to prepare your kitchen for the demands of holiday cooking.