5 Ways to Extend the Shelf Life of Potatoes

Potatoes are America's favorite vegetable, with over 80% of households buying fresh potatoes annually. In fact, baskets containing potatoes are almost twice as valuable to retailers as those without. Consumers spend almost $90 per trip when potatoes are in the basket, as opposed to about $42 per trip without potatoes*, and both volume and dollar sales are up for the vegetable.

Potatoes USA, the marketing organization for the 2,000 potato farming families operating in the United States and importers, is helping IGA retailers encourage bigger baskets by offering tips for extending the shelf life of potatoes (both in and out of store), helping them last longer for both grocery retailers and consumers at home.

1. LIGHT

Excessive light turns potatoes green and can give them a bitter taste.

Store potatoes in a dark room before going onto the sales floor.
Minimize the time spent in loading areas and cover the potato displays after hours to protect even more from the light.
Rotating product helps move potatoes before greening occurs as well. Think first in, first out.

2. CLEANLINESS

Storing potatoes in areas that are dirty can lead to diseases in fresh potatoes.

Clean and sanitize all potato-handling equipment.
Make sure potatoes are dry before putting back in bags, in boxes, or on the shelf.

3. HANDLING

Rough handling can cause serious quality issues.

Control the storage temperatures of potatoes.
Avoid dropping potatoes or throwing boxes. Falling even a few inches can cause bruising.

4. TEMPERATURE

Incorrect temperature can worsen the slight bruising that occurs naturally during transportation and harvesting. It can also contribute to dark spots and early sprouting.

Store potatoes in temperatures between 45 and 50°F.
Keep potatoes out of the light.

5. AIR

Air should be not too humid and not too dry to extend the shelf life.

While it is hard to control air moisture levels, it is best to make sure potatoes are stored in a well-ventilated space.
If possible, wet the floor below where potatoes are stored but not the potatoes.
Perforated plastic bags and paper bags offer the best environment for extending shelf life.