TIPS FOR PURCHASING FRUIT

Fruit should be purchased when ripe. It should appear healthy, with no bruises or scars. As our Produce Associates select only the best produce to display for our customers, it's easy to make selections in Gelson's Produce Departments.

• Always handle fruit gently at the market, and remember to place your purchases on the top of your shopping cart to prevent bruising.

• Our Produce Associates are friendly and knowledgeable. If you have any questions, don't hesistate to ask for help.

TAKING CARE OF FRUIT AT HOME

• Fruit must simply be washed in cold water and sometimes peeled before eating. Dried fruits are high in natural sugars, but low in water, so their nutrient content is concentrated.

• Fruits ripen more quickly at room temperature. Preserve freshness by storing all fruit except bananas and tomatoes in the refrigerator.

• Keep prepared fruit salads and other cut fruit in the refrigerator until just before serving.

HOW TO RIPEN FRUIT

Most fruits are picked when they are mature, but not completely ripe. Here are tips to complete the ripening process at home:

• Place fruit in a paper bag and fold over the top to close. Leave at room temperature.

• Check the fruit daily. It is ripe when it emits a sweet aroma and is soft to the touch.

• If you keep several types of fruit together, such as plums, nectarines, and peaches, they will ripen faster.

• Remove ripe fruit from the bag and refrigerate or eat.

TIPS FOR PURCHASING VEGETABLES

• Purchase only the amount of fresh vegetables needed. Most vegetables are not "stock up" items, and should be used within a few days.

• Gelson's Produce Associates can answer any questions on selecting the best vegetables for your needs. They can also help you with portion size and storage tips.

• Gelson's Produce Associates are constantly checking and stocking the department all day long. As we only display the best items, it's easy to make your selections. However, if you are unsure about which items to pick, just ask a Produce Associate for assistance.

• Vegetables should be placed on the top of your shopping cart to avoid damaging or bruising.

TAKING CARE OF VEGETABLES AT HOME

• Put all vegetables away promptly once you're home from the market. Keep vegetables in the crisper, which has a slightly higher humidity level than the rest of the refrigerator.

• All produce should be washed in clean drinking water right before using, even if the skin or rind is not eaten. (An exception is leafy greens, such as lettuce, which should be rinsed before storing in the refrigerator to maintain crispness.) Do not use detergent when washing, as residue may be ingested.

• To savor the freshness of vegetables, shop frequently and use them as soon as possible. Nutrient loss occurs when vegetables are exposed to light and air; therefore, don't wash, chop, or slice vegetables until you are ready to use them. When peeling and chopping vegetables, remember that many nutrients are concentrated just beneath the skin. If possible, do not peel vegetables such as potatoes or beets; or, cook them in their skins and peel them after cooking, when their thin skins will slip off.