Keeping Fall & Winter Produce Fresh - A Canadian Kitchen’s Guide
Canadian winters are no joke and neither is watching your fresh produce wilt, shrivel, or look like it’s going through its own seasonal depression. Luckily, with the right storage habits (and the right commercial equipment), your fall and winter ingredients can stay crisp, colourful, and menu-ready for weeks longer.
Let’s break this down
1. Freshness Starts at the Door
Before that case of apples or bag of carrots even enters your cooler, give it a quick look
Ask yourself:
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Does it look and feel fresh?
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Is it chilled below 4°C like Canadian safety guidelines demand?
Invest in right equipment to maintain the texture and flavour.
2. Store Like a Pro (Your Equipment Matters!)
Different produce = different needs.
High-humidity fans
Leafy greens, cabbage, Brussels sprouts love moisture.
Perfect for glass-door refrigerators with stable humidity.
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Low-humidity lovers
Apples, squash, onions.
They like it dry—like your best winter memes.
Perfect for reach-in stainless steel fridges.
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Room-temp champs
Potatoes, winter squash, onions (again—they’re easygoing).
They do best in a cool, dry area with airflow.
Best on commercial wire shelving.
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3. Canadian Temperature Safety: Don’t Break the Rules
The CFIA says:
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Cold produce: 0°C to 4°C
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Pre-cut veg: Must always stay below 4°C
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Frozen fruit/veg: –18°C or colder
4. Airflow = Longer Life
If your produce could talk, it would ask for:
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Breathable bins
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Space (not to be squished)
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Labels (so it’s not forgotten behind the kale)
Tight plastic bags trap moisture and speed up spoilage so they’re basically the enemy here.
5. Clean Coolers = Happy Veggies
A weekly cleaning day is a must.
Not fun… but necessary.
Think of it like giving your cooler a spa day.
Wipe shelves, clean gaskets, toss the “mystery container,” and check temperatures. Your produce will actually stay fresher because bacteria won’t get a chance to take over.
6. Rotate Smart: FEFO > FIFO
We all know FIFO (First In, First Out).
But FEFO First Expiring, First Out is the real MVP for seasonal produce.
Put older or ripening items front and centre and save yourself moneY.
Equipment Makes ALL the Difference
Using the right commercial refrigeration or shelving setup is the easiest way to extend produce life especially during Canadian fall and winter.
Here are spots where you can add product links:
A few simple upgrades can save hundreds of dollars a month in reduced spoilage.
At Omni Food Equipment, we supply ovens, warmers, refrigeration, and prep equipment trusted by chefs and restaurateurs across Canada.
Ready to upgrade your winter kitchen?
Explore our complete product range at OmniFoodEquipment.com or contact our team for personalized recommendations.
Our team also offers space planning, design-build services, and product customization to help you optimize every square foot of your operation.
