Select
Choose strawberries with bright green stems and without bruises. The exterior should be shiny. Now sneak a quick glance inside the basket and underneath and make sure there is no white mold or browning strawberries.
Store
Strawberries should be kept in the fridge unwashed until ready to use. I keep them the pint they were sold in (keep your pint container afterwards and return to your farm vendor so they can reuse.) Or, I have had success using a berry container. Do not put into a plastic bag. They require air circulation to keep fresh. I find very fresh strawberries can last almost a week.
Prep
Strawberries usually need a good cleaning because they grow close to the ground and can harbor a pesticide residue. Even organic strawberries need a good cleaning as organic can include use of pesticides.
Rinse strawberries well in a strainer. Do not soak. They will become a sponge and become watery.
Spray with white vinegar, toss and rub into the strawberries. Then rinse quickly and remove to a towel to dry.