Does Subway Wash Their Vegetables? (+ Other Common FAQs)

Subway is known for delivering freshly made and customizable menu items, including sandwiches, soups, and more. To make their menu items even tastier, Subway offers a range of toppings, including cheeses, hams, and vegetables.

However, fans of the fast food franchise may be wondering if Subway washes their vegetables and what the procedure for preparing Subway vegetables is. After doing some research, here is what I have found out about these questions!

Does Subway Wash Their Vegetables?

Vegetables at Subway are often washed as part of the preparation process as well as being sliced and served to customers. Subway vegetables often arrive frozen but are fresh within their bags, with deliveries as frequent as twice a week to top franchises. Additionally, Subway supports sustainable agriculture and works with suppliers who grow vegetables ethically.

For more information about whether Subway washes their vegetables, including if Subway vegetables are real, whether Subway vegetables can be considered clean eating, and where Subway sources their vegetables from, then just keep reading!

Does Subway Wash Their Lettuce?

Subway washes their vegetables as part of their preparation process before they’re served to the public, and vegetables such as lettuce are washed at Subway and are often stored in refrigerated and frozen areas.

Further, online Subway workers have reported that the vegetables are kept clean and preserved well as part of Subway’s food hygiene standards.

Where Does Subway Get Its Vegetables From?

Subway believes in sustainable agriculture and supports local farmers all over America. As Subway is a franchise, stores will source their vegetables from various locations close to their operating locations if they are sustainable.

Subway sources its vegetables from different states, including tomatoes from Ohio and Arkansas and bell peppers in Florida and Canada. As well, cucumbers sold at Subway come from Georgia.

For example, stores within California source their tomatoes from the California Tomato Farmers, which is an organization of 50 family-owned tomato farms that grow their produce in a sustainable manner.

Subway also supports farmers who use fuel-efficient vehicles to help reduce emissions and global warming. There are also suppliers to Subway who use landfill waste as energy, including the Hausbeck Pickle Company, which is another green initiative.

As part of its ethical operations, Subway will also ensure that it creates a safe working environment with fair wages for employees.

How Fresh Are Subway Vegetables?

How Fresh are Subway Vegetables?

Online, Subway workers have reported that while vegetables arrive at their stores frozen to create a longer shelf life, they’re sourced from fresh produce.

Subway vegetables will be washed as part of the preparation process before being served to customers to ensure that they’re fresh.

Subway stores will often receive vegetables, including onions, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers on a daily basis and will slice them for the sandwich building area.

Pickled vegetables such as cucumber pickles, olives, banana peppers, and jalapenos will arrive at Subway franchises before being served and prepared.

Also, Subway receives fresh vegetables such as lettuce and spinach in stores and will wash and prepare them before being served to customers.

However, Subway has faced criticism regarding the freshness of their vegetables, as the process of food products, including lettuce, can be lengthy.

For example, Subway lettuce is picked, processed, and packaged before being sent to Subway a minimum of once a week. Therefore, the lettuce at Subway has been reported to be around 22 days old before being served.

However, Subway still takes steps to ensure the freshness of their produce, including preparing and storing their vegetables correctly and washing them before serving.

Are Subway Vegetables Real?

Subway vegetables are real and are delivered from distribution centers to Subway franchises. The process of Subway obtaining their vegetables involves sourcing their products from sustainable farmers and having them sent to distribution centers.

The distribution centers will then send the produce to local Subway franchises, and they’ll be delivered frozen. This way, Subway workers can use as much produce as is necessary while avoiding food waste at the same time. 

Is Subway Considered Clean Eating?

Subway is known for being a healthier alternative to the majority of fast-food franchises, and the vegetables Subway offers are part of its healthy reputation.

The meals Subway offers, including sandwiches, salads, and more, are often said to be low in sugar and provide sources of fiber and protein, and the company offers many low-calorie and protein-based products.

Therefore, while Subway sandwiches are high in carbohydrates, they are still considered to be healthy in comparison to other fast food franchises.

What Vegetables Does Subway Serve?

Subway has a range of vegetables available that can be added to almost any meal option. In fact, customers can add as many vegetables at Subway as they want completely free of charge!

The variety of vegetables Subway has available include peppers, lettuce, pickles, black olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, jalapenos, and onions.

To learn more about Subway, you can also see our posts on what kind of pickles Subway uses, if Subway food is really fresh, and if Subway does breakfast.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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