Make the most of summer’s harvest — without the waste!
Our fields are overflowing with fresh, crisp fruits and vegetables, and your IGA grocer makes it a point to showcase them proudly on your store’s shelves. With such a wide variety of local products available only for a few months of the year, we enjoy them without moderation, knowing it’s the perfect time to make the most of them!
But who hasn’t dreamed of tasting generous, locally grown tomatoes in the middle of January? Well, it’s possible! There are simple, accessible techniques to preserve local fruits and vegetables so you can enjoy them all year long.
Dehydrating, freezing, lacto‑fermenting, canning… Which ones will you try this harvest season?
Click here to explore our 4 preservation guides!
Extend the Freshness of Local Harvests
Have you taken advantage of the abundance of local potatoes, onions, and garlic? Well done! But do you know the best way to store them? Choose a cool, dry place away from light. It’s also important to keep potatoes and onions separate, as the gases released by onions will cause the potatoes to sprout!
Sweet, crisp carrots are in season—it’s the perfect time to stock up! The good news is that carrots can be stored for quite a while if kept under the right conditions: place them in a bag with a dry cloth to absorb moisture and keep them crunchy for weeks!
Freezing Done Right Is the Key!
Did you know it’s best to blanch vegetables before freezing them? That’s because the enzymes they contain can keep breaking them down even at subzero temperatures. By boiling vegetables for a few minutes and then plunging them into cold water to stop the cooking process, those enzymes are deactivated. This way, vegetables keep their flavor and texture for much longer!
Before freezing fruits, make sure to wash and dry them thoroughly. Then, spread them out on a tray before placing them in the freezer—this prevents them from sticking together. Once frozen, you can easily transfer them to an airtight container. And just like that, a little taste of summer for the colder months!
When it comes to freezing food, the original packaging is rarely the best option. Air and moisture can damage food—hello freezer burn—and shorten its storage life. Instead, store foods in airtight containers or bags and remove as much air as possible before freezing.
Discover more anti-waste tips with our Food Fight program!