5 tips for picking the freshest produce

Walking through the produce aisle should feel like a treasure hunt — and with a few simple tricks, you'll come home with the ripest, most flavorful fruits and vegetables every single time. Our produce team hand-selects deliveries each morning, and here are the same secrets they use to spot the very best.

1. Use your nose before your eyes

A ripe melon, peach, or pineapple gives off a sweet, fragrant aroma at the stem end. If there's no smell at all, the fruit was likely picked too early and won't develop full flavor at home. A sharp, fermented smell means it's past its prime.

2. Feel for the right weight

Heavier fruit usually means more juice. Pick up two oranges or limes of the same size — the heavier one will almost always be the juicier, fresher choice. The same trick works beautifully for leafy heads of lettuce and cabbage.

3. Check the color the smart way

• Bell peppers should be glossy and firm, with taut skin and no wrinkles.
• Tomatoes are best when deeply colored and slightly soft to gentle pressure.
• Bananas with a few brown freckles are at their sweetest for eating right away.
• Avoid greens with yellowing edges — that's the first sign of age.

4. Buy seasonal and local when you can

Seasonal produce travels less distance, which means it's picked closer to peak ripeness and tastes far better. Ask our team what just arrived — we're always happy to point you toward what's freshest that day.

5. Store it right to make it last

Keep tomatoes, bananas, and citrus at room temperature. Refrigerate leafy greens, berries, and herbs. Store onions and potatoes apart in a cool, dark place — together they spoil faster.

Great cooking starts long before the stove — it starts with picking the right ingredients.

Next time you visit us, put these tips to the test. Your salads, smoothies, and weeknight dinners will taste the difference.