Abstract: A vacuum cooler for produce and the like includes a vacuum tube forming a vacuum chamber into which produce is placed. A vacuum pump lowers the atmospheric pressure while cold water is gently sprayed onto the produce. Water vapor from the produce is condensed, directed to a sump in the chamber without permitting such condensed water to impinge on the produce, and then directed through a water disinfecting chamber for reuse. The cooler includes a venting system that admits outside air into the vacuum chamber, gradually returning the chamber to atmospheric pressure, and permitting removal of produce from the chamber.