Follow these tried and true tips for keeping fruits and veggies at their freshest:

Apples: Apples should be stored in the crisper drawer for maximum crispness for 7-10 days. They can be stored in a cool location out of the refrigerator for 4-7 days.

Avocados: Store ripe avocados in a crisper drawer in the fridge for 2-3 days. To ripen avocados, store out of refrigeration next to bananas for 2-4 days until the avocado gives to gentle pressure.

Berries: Store unwashed in the original container in the fridge for 2-4 days.

Cabbage, Broccoli, & Cauliflower: Refrigerate, quartered, in sealed containers, or uncut in a crisper drawer for 3-7 days.

Celery: Cut into stalks and submerge in water in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

Citrus: Store on the countertop for up to a week.

Carrots & Baby Carrots: Remove leafy greens if applicable. Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.

Leafy Greens: Remove and discard wilted or discolored leaves. Refrigerate unwashed, sealed in plastic zipper bags, for 3-5 days.

Onions & Garlic: Store in a ventilated space, on the counter in a paper bag, or in a basket for 2-3 weeks.

Pears: Pears should be stored out of refrigeration for 3-5 days until ripe. Ripe pears can be stored in the refrigerator for an additional 2 days.

Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes: Store in a cool, dark place with relatively high humidity and air circulation for 2-3 weeks.

Tomatoes: Store ripe tomatoes upside down on the counter for 3-5 days away from bananas. Avoid storing in the refrigerator as this diminishes the eating experience.

Even in squeaky-clean environments, produce can become contaminated. Protect yourself (and your favorite people) from becoming sick due to airborne ilnesses, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

• Wash your hands prior to preparing fresh produce.

• Cut out and remove damaged or bruised areas of produce.

• Rinse produce before peeling to prevent bacteria transfer from the fruit to the knife.

• Gently rub produce under warm water to clean it. (Don't use soap or produce wash.)

• To clean produce like melons or celery, use a clean vegetable brush or toothbrush.

• Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove residual bacteria.

• Remove the outermost leaves of cabbage or lettuce prior to food prep.

For more information, please visit https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/7-tips-cleaning-fruits-vegetables

Tired of buzzing hordes hovering over your gorgeous produce? Battle bugs with these five, simple tips:

• Throw out overripe produce.

• Store fruits and vegetables away from open air.

• Clean up sweet, sticky spills right away.

• Take out the trash regularly.

• Make a fruit fly trap: Leave out a bowl filled with vinegar (or stale beer) and 3 drops of dish soap to drown the fruit flies.

Fruits are naturally filled with nutrients and vitamins. Offer dogs fruit in small, bite-sized pieces to avoid choking. Pureeing, chopping, and steaming in advance will help with digestion. Here are some of the fruits that dogs can safely enjoy in moderation:

• Bananas

• Blackberries

• Blueberries

• Cranberries

• Cucumbers

• Kiwi

• Mangoes

• Oranges (Peeled)

• Peaches (Pitted)

• Pears

• Pineapples

• Pumpkin

• Raspberries

• Strawberries

• Watermelon

Fruits to AVOID feeding your dog:

• Apples

• Apricots

• Avocados

• Cherries

• Dates

• Figs

• Grapes

• Lemons

• Limes

• Plums

Be aware that fruit contains sugar, which can affect dental health and weight. If you have any questions about what diet is best for your dog, consult your trusted veterinarian.

Veggies are among man's best food friends, and they're good for your pooches in moderation. Gently steam, blanche, or puree veggies prior to feeding them to your dog (or cut into small pieces to avoid choking). Don't add oils, sauces, toppings, or spices (which can be harmful). Here are some vegetables dogs can safely enjoy in moderation:

• Cabbage

• Carrots

• Celery

• Cucumbers

• Beets

• Broccoli

• Brussels Sprouts

• Butternut Squash

• Green Beans

• Kale

• Peas

• Peppers

• Potatoes (fully cooked)

• Canned Pumpkin

• Sweet Potatoes/Yams

• Spinach

• Zucchini

Vegetables to AVOID feeding your dog:

• Asparagus

• Corn on the Cob

• Leeks

• Mushrooms

• Onions

• Garlic

• Rhubarb

• Tomatoes

If you have any questions about what diet is best for your dog, please consult your trusted veterinarian.

When buying fresh produce, for the most flavorful, produce with the greatest nutritional value: use your senses. How does the item look, smell, and feel? Keep these things in mind when picking the perfect produce:

How to choose fresh fruit:

Apples: Look for good color that's firm to the touch. Avoid fruit with bruising or soft spots.

Bananas: Pick for yellow for consumption today or tomorrow, choose light green to enjoy in 2-3 days. Choose bananas that are blemish and bruise free.

Berries: Look for bright, firm, plump, smooth fruit. Always avoid fruit that’s dull or shriveled.

Citrus: Look for bright, firm, plump, smooth fruit. Always avoid fruit that’s dull or shriveled.

Grapes: Choose tender, plump, well-formed clusters with green, pliable stems.

Kiwi: Ripe kiwi give to slight pressure.

Mangoes: Choose solid and not too soft with smooth skin.

Melons: Look for symmetry and blemish free skin. Smell for a pleasant aroma. Avoid pockmarks, bruising, or shriveled skin.

Nectarines & Peaches: Choose plump, fairly firm fruit. Smell for a pleasant aroma.

Pears: Ripe pears give to slight pressure. Choose pears that are smooth and blemish free.

Pineapples: Choose fruit that's golden yellow in color. Ripe fruit will be slightly soft and have a sweet smell at the stem end.

Plums: Look for fruit that's plump that yields to minimal pressure. Avoid shriveled, hard fruit.