Table 16: Handling Produce for Higher Quality and Longer Market Life

Information on optimum temperatures, relative humidity and storage life was adapted from USDA Handbook 66 and modified by experience under northeastern conditions.

  Recommended Cooling Methods1 Important Handling Factors
Vegetable Crop Forced Air or Room Cooling Hydro-Cooling Package Ice or Liquid Icing Vacuum Cooling Transit Icing2 Recommended Transit & Storage Temp. °F3 Recommended Transit & Storage Rel. Humidity, % Expected Marketable Life Under Best Conditons Sensitivity to Chilling Injury4
Asparagus   +   + N 32-36 95 1-2 weeks L
Basil +       N 46-50 90-95 4-7 days H
Beans, lima  + +     N 38-42 90-95 7-10 days M
   snap + +     N 40-45 90-95 7-10 days M
Beets, bunched   +     R 32   1-2 weeks I
Broccoli     +   E 32 90-95 1-2 weeks I
Brussels sprouts + + + + R 32 90-95 3-5 weeks I
Cabbage +       N 32 90-95 3-6 weeks I
Cabbage, Chinese +   + + R 32 90-95 4-8 weeks I
Carrots, Topped +   +   N 32 90-95 6-7 months L
Carrots, bunched +   +   E 32 90-95 1 month I
Cauliflower +   + + R 32 90-95 2-4 weeks I
Celery   +     R 32 90-95 2-3 weeks I
Collards & kale   + +   R 32 90-95 1-2 weeks I
Cucumbers + +     N 50 90-95 1-2 weeks H
Eggplant +       N 50 90-95 1 week H
Endive & escarole       + R 32 90-95 2-3 weeks I
Kohlrabi + + +   R 32 90-95 2-4 weeks I
Horseradish +       N 30-32 90-95 1 year I
Leeks   + + + R 32 90-95 1-3 months I
Lettuce, crisphead       + N 32-36 95 2-3 weeks I
   leaf & bibb     + + R 32-36 95 1 week I
   romaine       + R 32-36 95 1-2 weeks I
Muskmelon,    3/4 slip +   +   R 36-40 85-90 1-2 weeks M
   full slip +   +   R 32-36 85-90 4-7 days M
Okra   +     N 45-50 95 1 week VH
Onion, dry         N 32 65-70 1-8 months I
   green   + +   N 32 90-95 7-10 days I
Parsley   + +   E 32 95 1-2 months I
Parsnips +       N 32 90-95 2-6 months I
Peas   + +   E 32 90-95 1-2 weeks I
Peppers +     + N 45-50 90-95 2-3 weeks M
Potatoes, early +       N 40 90 2-4 months L
   late +       N 40-45 90 5-8 months L
Pumpkins         N 50-55 70-75 2-3 months H
Radishes, bunched   + +   E 32 95 1-2 weeks L
Rhubarb   + +   R 32 95 3-4 weeks I
Rutabagas +       N 32 95 2-4 months I
Spinach   + + + E 32 90-95 7-10 days I
Squash, summer + +     N 50 90-95 4-7 days H
   winter +       N 55-60 50-75 2-6 months M
Strawberries +       N 32 95 1 week I
Sweet potatoes +       N 55-60 85-90 3-5 months VH
Sweet corn + + +   E 32 90-95 5-7 days L
Tomatoes, green +       N 55-70 85-90 1-3 weeks H
   pink +       N 50-60 85-90 5-10 days M
   ripe +       N 40-45 85-90 4-7 days M
Turnips +       N 32 95 4-5 weeks I
Turnip/mustard tops   + + + E 32 90-95 1-2 weeks I
Watermelons +       N 45-50 85-90 3-4 weeks M

1 Cooling Method: + = cooling method is suitable for the crop.

2 Transit Icing: The importance of transit icing depends on time in transit, transit conditions, and outside temperature. N = not recommended, R = recommended, and E = essential.

3 Accurate temperature control is essential; do not allow temp to fall below 32°F

4 Sensitivity to Chilling Injury: I = insensitive, L = low sensitivity, M = medium sensitivity, H = high sensitivity, and VH = very high sensitivity.