Safely Storing Fresh Picked Berries

Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog on July 29, 2026

The warm weather is officially here. This means more people are outdoors and looking for things to do and that often includes going to local berry farms and picking fresh from the fields. We absolutely love doing this and making creations with them including jam, jelly and cobblers but we also love to store them to eat fresh. Today we look at tips for safely storing fresh picked berries and how to get the most from your hard work.

Once home, the berries should be prepped for proper storage by removing any bacteria or dirt.

Place berries on a paper towel-lined sheet pan and allow them to drain any remaining water before being stored.

Berries should be stored in the refrigerator. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you should “Store perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms) in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below.”

Can Berries Be Stored on the Counter?

It depends for how long. Berries are highly perishable, so after washing the berries, Tiess (Fred Tiess is a chef located in North Carolina) says they can be kept on the counter for several hours if you plan on using them that day. Otherwise, berries should be put into the refrigerator for storage.

Stored in the fridge you get some better odds:

Berries can last up to five days if stored properly stored, says Tiess. “Typically, (berries last) three to five days depending upon the harvest source and how they are handled,” he explains.

Can You Freeze Berries?

Yes. If you have berries on the brink of spoiling, freezing them is an easy option for future use. Here’s what Tiess suggests:

1. After they have been washed, place berries on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
2. Next, flash freeze them individually — as opposed to placing them directly into a freezer safe bag or storage container. “This process will prevent (the berries) from freezing together,” Tiess says.
3. Remove the flash frozen berries from the sheet pan and place into a freezer-safe bag or storage container, making sure to properly label and date.

Following all of the tips in this article can help preserve your picking for many days and by freezing even months.

One of my all time favorite methods is freezing because when the weather is cold outside and we are dreaming of warmer days these tastes of Summer bring a happiness that I can’t quite describe. There is nothing like a refreshing strawberry in the dead of winter to make you feel just a little more alive inside.

For more information on preserving fresh fruits and vegetables please keep an eye on Make Food Safe.