The Shelf Life and Storage of Potatoes in Local Grocery Stores

The age of potatoes at your local grocery store can vary widely. Factors like the type of potato, the supplier, and the length of storage all contribute to this variability. After harvesting, potatoes can be stored for several months before being sold, allowing them to maintain their freshness and quality.

Harvesting and Storage Duration

Potatoes are typically harvested between May and October in the Northern Hemisphere. Early potatoes are usually available within one to five days of harvest, while main crop potatoes might be from around a week to nine to ten months. Processed frozen potatoes can stay in storage for more than a year.

Main crop potatoes are generally stored in cold stores, where they are graded, washed, and packed. Early potatoes are usually packed on the field or at the grading station and rarely washed, as this can shorten their life. Frozen potatoes are stored until processing, typically out of cold stores.

Storage Practices and Freshness

While potatoes can be stored for a long time, they are not meant to be stored for two years. Special gases like Chlorpropham are used to prevent sprout formation and ensure safety. Chlorpropham is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic in the doses typically consumed. Potatoes are usually stored for as long as 10 months to bridge one harvest season to the next; however, there is little reason to store them for longer than that.

During the potato season, which is often from July to August, you can get fresh potatoes directly from farmers. Otherwise, you might have to rely on stored or shipped potatoes. In the early summer, you are more likely to encounter long-stored potatoes, but they will not be two years old.

Note that organic potatoes do not use chlorpropham. They can be challenging to find at certain times of the year. Make sure to check the date on the packaging to determine the freshness of the potatoes you are buying.