This Is My Grandma’s $1 Secret to Extending the Life of Fruits and Vegetables

I come from a long line of women who love to cook, and I have my mom and grandma to thank for almost all of my culinary knowledge. It’s not just recipes that they’ve passed down—they’re also a great source for time- and money-saving tips. 

On a recent visit to my grandparents’ house in Florida, my mom noticed that everything in their fridge was wrapped in reusable green bags. It turns out, my grandmother has sworn by these bags from Debbie Meyer as a reusable, affordable way to extend the life of perishable goods, and you can snag them on Amazon for less than $1 apiece.

Debbie Meyer GreenBags

When my grandpa went on a vegetarian diet over a decade ago, my grandma began buying produce in bulk—but she quickly noticed her fresh fruit and vegetables going bad before she could cook them all. To avoid resorting to frozen foods or taking multiple trips to the grocery store every week, she started using Debbie Meyer GreenBags and hasn’t looked back since.

These unassuming bags might look like the free plastic ones you’d get at the grocery store, but according to the brand, they absorb the ethylene gas that causes fruits and vegetables to rot. 

“It at least doubles, if not triples the life of my produce,” my grandma claims. To ensure they work their magic, she suggests keeping the bags dry and waiting to wash produce until right before you’re ready to cook or eat it.

Each pack comes with eight medium, eight large, and four extra-large bags. Unlike other produce bags of their kind, Debbie Meyer GreenBags can be washed and reused over and over again. The brand claims they last between eight and 10 uses, but my grandma doesn’t toss hers until she notices a hole or stain. They’re most often used for fruits and vegetables, but the bags are surprisingly versatile and can also maintain the freshness of mushrooms, freshly-cut flowers, breads, and even leftovers like roasted vegetables or grilled chicken. 

While grandma always knows best, Debbie Meyer GreenBags have over 18,600 five-star Amazon ratings that back up her claims, with several reviews noting how much time and money the bags have saved them. 

If you’re looking for an affordable, effective way to preserve your favorite foods, these bags might just change your life. Head to Amazon now to snag a pack of 20 GreenBags for just $15.

More Produce Savers to Shop:

Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver

Prepara Herb Savor

OXO Good Grips Prep & Go Container

Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps, 3 Pack

Food Huggers 5-Piece Reusable Silicone Food Savers

At the time of publishing, the price was $15.