Have you ever perused the produce stands at a farmers market and realized items like eggs, berries, and other produce are kept out? Then you get home and you’re not sure whether these foods can stay in a cute bowl on your counter or if they should be stored in the refrigerator.

The truth is, farm fresh produce and dairy have a different handling process than items that are sold in grocery stores, so they can’t be treated equally. Before you rethink everything that’s on your counter, use this list to understand why certain items are better off stored in the refrigerator or pantry. Here are six foods you should never store on the counter.

1. Eggs

Farm fresh eggs and commercially sold eggs are handled differently, therefore they should be stored differently. If you’re picking up a carton of eggs at the farmers market, it’s safe to keep them on the counter because they have a protective layer from the laying process. However, typical eggs from the grocery store should never be left on the counter for more than two hours, because the shell can develop bacteria which impacts the egg itself. Refrigerating eggs will also extend the shelf-life, which will promote less waste.

2. Potatoes

There’s a major misconception that potatoes can last for over a week when stored on the counter, but sunlight and heat will quickly turn them green and cause them to sprout. Your best bet is to store potatoes in a dark, cool environment like a cupboard or pantry for up to two weeks. You can also store them in a brown paper bag — just be sure not to place them in anything airtight that would trap moisture.

3. Onions

Just like potatoes, onions should also be kept in a dark, cool space to preserve freshness; just never keep them together because the potatoes will emit ethylene gas which will cause the onions to sprout. While the pantry is a great place to store onions, you can also keep them in your cellar, garage or basement. If stored properly, onions can last up to a full month, which is incredibly convenient since they enhance almost every dish.

4. Cucumbers

Something you should know about cucumbers is that they don’t do well in humidity or with excess moisture, which means they won’t withstand being on your countertop for more than an hour or two. Storing cucumbers in the fridge allows them to remain crisp and crunchy until you’re ready to use them within a few days.

5. Ripe produce

You may already know that keeping fruits and vegetables on the counter will help them ripen quicker, but there’s a very small window until they become overripe. Items like peaches, bananas and avocados will start to attract fruit flies once they’ve been ripe on the counter for a few days. To prevent those pesky flies, put your ripened fruits and vegetables in the fridge to extend their shelf-life for another few days.

6. Pre-cut produce

Whether you’re buying pre-cut produce or prepping it at home, it’s important to store it in the refrigerator immediately to keep it cold and fresh. In other words, the counter is off limits. Once fruits and vegetables are sliced, they are prone to bacteria and spoilage, which can lead to health risks.

(Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.)

©2024 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.