I love shopping at the local farmers’ market. Although it takes effort to get there on a weekend morning, and sometimes costs a little bit more, the fresh, fragrant produce and knowledge that I’m supporting local growers is usually worth it. There’s only one problem: devoid of chemical preservatives and genetically modified innards, farmers market produce tends to spoil very quickly. Sometimes I feel like it’s only a day or two, and I’m already cutting away soft spots or mold.

If you’re tired of wasting good money on fresh food only to see it hit the compost pile before you can eat it, don’t despair: there’s an easy solution that doesn’t involve canning or freezing! Simply drop a sheet of FreshPaper into produce bags, containers, or refrigerator drawers and you’ll add at least a week onto the life of your berries and greens.

Image via Fresh Paper

According to the company, FreshPaper works like refrigeration by inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth, as well as degradative enzymes. Made with edible organic ingredients, FreshPaper has a distinctive maple-like scent that signals that the paper is active. This hand-crafted paper is made in the USA and completely biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable.

Of course, this isn’t the “freshness locking” product to hit the market. There are several bags and containers available that claim to do the same thing. The difference according to FreshBag makers is that their product contains no zeolite, no sodium permanganate, no charcoal, and absolutely no plastic. When the paper has expired (takes about 2 – 3 weeks), simply toss it in the compost pile, recycling bin, or even the trash can, with the confidence that no pollution will occur. Available in packs of 8 from $4.99.