Could we have avoided this?

My failed attempt at storing fresh fennel leaves resulted in our second ounce of CSA waste. I washed these leaves while they were still on the bulb, then cut them off, shook the excess water off and put them in a zip bag in the fridge for like five days. I don't normally wash herbs—should I?

I'm not sure if this fennel fell victim to too much moisture, our algae-ridden tap water, the sealed bag or just too much time in the fridge, but it smelled all musty when I opened it and I had to throw it out. Luckily, I have lots of dried fennel and more on the rack.

Two ounces of waste in five weeks—not bad. This is partly what I mean by CSA veggies being some of the most emotionally valuable food you'll ever have. It breaks your heart to waste it. That causes you to treat food the way humans should, and have through most of history—as valuable.