What is critical for ensuring freshness in produce storage?

Maintaining proper temperature and humidity is crucial for ensuring freshness in produce storage because many fruits and vegetables are sensitive to their storage conditions. Each type of produce has specific temperature and humidity requirements that, when met, can significantly extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of the items. For instance, too much humidity can lead to spoilage and mold growth, while too little can cause produce to dry out. Keeping produce at the ideal temperature helps slow down respiration and metabolic processes, which are responsible for ripening and aging. By controlling these environmental factors, you create an optimal storage situation that preserves the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of the produce.