Fresh for longer: Clever ways to keep herbs & produce at their best

There’s nothing more frustrating than opening the fridge to find wilted herbs, limp veggies or soggy berries. With a few simple tricks, you can beat the Aussie heat and keep your market haul fresher for longer—saving money, reducing food waste, and making weeknight cooking a breeze.

Herbs: Keep them perky and green

• Jar & cover method – Treat soft herbs (like basil, parsley, coriander) like flowers. Trim the stems, place in a jar of cool water, and loosely cover with an Ecopack Multi-Purpose Bamboo Cloth or a clean tea towel. Pop them in the fridge (except basil, which prefers room temp) and change the water every couple of days.
• Zip & chill – For herbs that bruise easily, wash them under cool running water, gently pat dry with an Ecopack Multi-Purpose Bamboo Cloth, then slip into an Ecopack Compostable Ziplock Bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. The trick is to remove excess moisture without squishing your herbs.

Leafy greens: Crisp and crunchy

• Towel hug – Wrap lettuce, spinach or kale in a slightly damp bamboo cloth before placing in a container, reusable cotton produce bag, or Ecopack Compostable Sandwich Bag. This keeps leaves hydrated without getting soggy.
• Shake first – Give salad greens a quick spin in a salad spinner or pat dry before storing. Removing surface water is the key to avoiding slimy leaves.

Berries: Sweet and dry

• Vinegar rinse – To prevent mould, rinse berries in a mix of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. Pat completely dry (again, bamboo cloths are great here!) and store in a shallow container lined with a reusable cloth. Keep the lid slightly ajar to let air circulate.

Veggies: Store smart

• Carrots & celery – Chop off leafy tops (they draw moisture away) and store in a sealed container of cold water in the fridge. Change the water every few days for ultra-crisp snacks.
• Tomatoes & avocados – Keep them at room temperature until perfectly ripe, then shift to the fridge to slow down ageing.

Citrus & other fruit

• Whole lemons & limes – Store in a sealed Ecopack Compostable Ziplock Bag in the fridge crisper. They’ll stay juicy for weeks.
• Bananas – Try wrapping the stems in a reusable wax wrap to slow ripening.

Sustainable bonus tips

• Save herb stems and veggie offcuts in a reusable container in the freezer to make homemade stock.
• Use breathable Ecopack String Produce Bags for farmers’ market shopping to skip single-use plastics.
• Repurpose glass jars for storing chopped herbs, salad dressings or leftover lemon wedges.

A little prep goes a long way. Whether it’s a bamboo cloth to wick away moisture, a compostable bag to seal in freshness, or a clever reuse of jars and towels, these simple habits help your food (and budget) go further. Fresh herbs, crisp greens and perky berries are a win for busy Aussie households—and the planet.