Ever see fresh broccoli florets exhibiting yellow, brown, or black spots or lettuce with brown or black-rimmed leaves? These are signs that the produce may not be very fresh and may be worth skipping if you don't plan to eat the produce right away. Is this to say that you should never buy produce with bumps, bruises, or weird colors? No, but it helps to stay informed so you at least know where your produce fares in terms of freshness.

Mixing and matching produce not only makes it last longer but can also give you a nutritional boost in the process. No, we aren't talking about how to keep strawberries fresh for longer, but rather how to keep from eating an entire crate of strawberries in one day.

Instead of focusing on buying one or two types of produce in bulk, it's often more helpful (and nutritious) to pick up a variety of fruits and veggies in smaller portions. This does a couple of things. First, it allows you to fit more types of produce into your diet, leading to more health benefits from the vitamins and minerals each brings. Additionally, by mixing and matching your fruits and veggies, you'll hang on to them a bit longer, meaning more days to enjoy your produce without running low on them before your next shopping trip that week.

Looking for fun combinations to try with your groceries? Try putting together a fruit bowl by chopping summer cherries in half and mixing them with a handful of blueberries and blackberries. Melons are also great additions for adding color and bulk to fruit bowls, making them even more deliciously satisfying (and pretty to look at). You can apply the same concept to vegetables; mix and match your peppers, onions, and carrots for a sizzling sauté or try forsaking iceberg lettuce for various greens of your choice for your next salad. The opportunities are endless.