The Garden Grocery: Food Safety & Selection at the Farmers\' Market

$Page 1: The Garden Grocery: Food Safety & Selection at the Farmers\' Market$
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Know how. Know now.

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Know how. Know now.

5/2007, updated slightly 5/2008, created with PowerPoint 2003

PowerPoint, related handout and online slide show at http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/farmar.shtml

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Get the most from your local Get the most from your local Farmers’ Market with these tips…Farmers’ Market with these tips…

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•FYI FactsFYI Facts•Food & NutritionFood & Nutrition•Food SafetyFood Safety•Friendly AdviceFriendly Advice•For More InformationFor More Information

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FactsFactsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

estimates over 1,000,000 people visit a Farmers’ Market weekly!

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That’s like traveling from

Chicago to Los Angeles!

FactsFactsThe average supermarket produce travels about 2,000 miles to its destination, compared to 50 miles for Farmers’ Market produce!

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FactsFacts

More than 20,000 farmers use Farmers’ Markets to sell to consumers.

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Farmers’ Markets make Farmers’ Markets make $$ense!ense!

Great prices on fresh produce and garden goodies for everyone!

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Fresh herbs often are availableat very reasonable prices.

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Home-baked goodies may be another bargain and a special treat!

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Locally raised meat may be available at some markets.

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Take home some fresh cut flowers!

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Some USDA programs offer food vouchers for qualified participants in participating states:

– Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

– Women, Infant, and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC)

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Farmers’ Markets offer a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables — which provide vitamins, minerals and

phytochemicals (fight-o-chemicals).

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• Stay healthy and energetic

• Protect against the effects of aging

• Reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease

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A few examples of phytochemicals A few examples of phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetablesfound in fruits and vegetables

• Carotenoids in red and yellow-orange fruits and vegetables (such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots)

• Lycopene in tomato-based foods(such as tomato sauce, tomato paste)

• Lutein and zeaxanthin in leafy greens (such as collard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce)

• Flavonoids in brightly colored fruits and vegetables (such as blueberries, cherries, strawberries)

Source: Body & Soul, http://bodyandsoul.nih.gov/

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“Fruits and vegetables come in terrific colors and flavors, but their real beauty lies in what's inside. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of many vitamins, minerals and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases.

To get a healthy variety, think color. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Some examples include green spinach, orange sweet potatoes, black beans, yellowyellow corn, purple plums, red watermelon, and whitewhite onions. For more variety, try new fruits and vegetables regularly.”

Source: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov

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Fruit & vegetable benefits:Fruit & vegetable benefits:FIBERFIBER

Diets rich in dietary fiber have been shown to have a number of beneficial effects including decreased risk of coronary artery disease.

Source: www.FruitsandVeggiesMatter.gov

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Fruit & vegetable benefits:Fruit & vegetable benefits:FOLATEFOLATE

Healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect.


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Fruit & vegetable benefits:Fruit & vegetable benefits:POTASSIUMPOTASSIUM

Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain a healthy blood pressure.


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Fruit & vegetable benefits:Fruit & vegetable benefits:VITAMIN AVITAMIN A

Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections.


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Fruit & vegetable benefits:Fruit & vegetable benefits:VITAMIN CVITAMIN C

Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keep teeth and gums healthy.


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Use MyPyramid as your guide!Use MyPyramid as your guide!

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MyPyramid: Fruits MyPyramid: Fruits

Eat the equivalent of 2 cups of fresh, canned or frozen fruits per day (for a 2,000 calorie diet)

Note this equivalent:¼ cup dried fruit = ½ cup fruit

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MyPyramid: VegetablesMyPyramid: Vegetables

Eat the equivalent of 2½ cups of raw or cooked vegetables per day (for a 2,000 calorie diet)

Note this equivalent: 2 cups raw leafy greens = 1 cup of vegetable

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For optimum health, scientists say eat a rainbow of colors. Your plate should look like a box of

Crayolas Crayolas

~Janice M. Horowitz,TIME, January 12, 2002

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Eggplant, purple grapes, plums, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, purple figs, dried plums, black currants


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Leafy greens, asparagus, green peppers, broccoli, green beans, peas, cabbage, green onion, Brussels sprouts, okra, zucchini, Chinese cabbage, green apples, green grapes, honeydew melon, kiwifruit, limes


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Cauliflower, mushrooms, white beans, onions, garlic, parsnips, shallots, turnips, ginger, jicama, bananas, pears


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Carrots, summer squash, corn, sweet potatoes, butternut squash,

pumpkin, yellow peppers, rutabagas, cantaloupe, grapefruit, lemons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pineapples, tangerines, apricots, mangoes, papayas


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Tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, tomato soup, red peppers, red onions, beets, red cabbage, kidney beans, apples, pink grapefruit, red grapes, strawberries, cherries, watermelon, raspberries, cranberries, pomegranates


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How do I get started?How do I get started?

It’s easier than you think to dish up some extra servings of health...

It’s easier than you think to dish up some extra servings of health...

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Begin with breakfastBegin with breakfast

• Oatmeal with blueberries

• Yogurt with fruit and whole grain cereal

• Purple grape juice• Fresh fruit

smoothie

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Snacks on the goSnacks on the go• Fresh fruit

• Soy nuts and dried fruits

• 100% tomato, cranberry, or orange juice

• Fresh broccoli or cauliflower with dip

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Nutritious meal ideasNutritious meal ideas

• Tuna salad withgrated carrots, red peppers, onions,and garlic

• Whole grain pasta with tomato sauce and fresh herbs

• Fresh vegetable soup

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Pick a variety of colors as a tastyPick a variety of colors as a tasty and colorful way to stay healthy! and colorful way to stay healthy!

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Look for produce that is free from unusual odors or colors and signs

of spoilage such as mold.

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Handle produce gently to reduce bruising. Bacteria can thrive in the bruised areas.

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Go HOME from the market!Go HOME from the market!

Avoid side trips.

Foods will decline in quality and perishable foods like meats and eggs can pose food safety problems if left sitting in your car.

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Different fruits and vegetables require different temperature and

humidity levels for proper storage.

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Some foods that taste best stored at room temperature include:

Store in a clean, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and away from areas where meat, fish, and poultry are prepared.

• Bananas• Melons• Onions• Potatoes • Sweet potatoes • Tomatoes• Winter squashes

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Other produce can beripened on the counter and then stored in the refrigerator. Examples include:

• Avocados• Kiwifruit• Nectarines• Peaches• Pears• Plums

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This slows ripening and may increase off-odors and decay from the accumulation of carbon dioxide and depletion of oxygen inside the bag.

Avoid placing produce in a sealed plastic bag on your countertop.

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Most other fresh fruits and vegetables keep best stored in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below.

Use your refrigerator crisper drawer for whole produce.

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• Fruits give off ethylene gas which can shorten the storage life of vegetables.

• Some vegetables give off odors that can be absorbed by fruits and affect their quality.

Store fruits in a separate refrigerator crisper drawer from vegetables.

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Refrigerate fruits and vegetables in perforated plastic bags to help maintain moisture yet provide air flow. Unperforated plastic bags can lead to the growth of mold or bacteria.

If you don’t have access to commercial, food-grade, perforated bags, use a sharp object to make several small holes in a food-grade plastic bag (about 20 holes per medium-size bag).

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If fruits and vegetables are placed on refrigerator shelves, store meats on pans or plates below the produce to prevent meat juices — which may contain harmful bacteria — from dripping on them.

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Wash hands properly before Wash hands properly before handling produce.handling produce.

• Wet hands with clean, warm water.

• Apply soap and work into a lather.

• Rub hands together for 20 seconds; rinse under clean, running water.

• Dry hands with disposable paper towel or clean cloth towel.

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Wash produce thoroughlyWash produce thoroughly

1. Wash produce before you use it, NOT when you bring it home! Fresh produce has a natural protective coating that helps keep in moisture and freshness.

Washing produce before storage causes it to spoil faster.

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2. Remove and discardouter leaves.

3. Rinse under clean, running water just before preparing or eating. Don’t use soap or detergent as it can get into produce and make you sick.

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Moisture left on fruits and vegetables helps bacteria grow. Dry them if you won’t eat or cook them right away.

5. Rub briskly — scrubbing with a clean brush or hands — to cleanthe surface.

6. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.

7. Cut away bruised and damaged areas.

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Bacteria on the outside of produce can be transferred to the inside when they are cut or peeled. Rinse produce even when the peel is removed ― such as for melons and citrus fruits!

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Once you have cut through the protective skin of fruits & vegetables, bacteria can enter.

Refrigerate cut or peeled fruits and vegetables within TWO hours!Refrigerate cut or peeled fruits and vegetables within TWO hours!

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•FYI FactsFYI Facts•Food & NutritionFood & Nutrition•Food SafetyFood Safety

•Friendly AdviceFriendly Advice•For More InformationFor More Information

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Enjoy picking your produce at Enjoy picking your produce at the local Farmers’ Market!the local Farmers’ Market!

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Take your time!Take your time! Farmers’ Markets are a great place to shop andto get some exercise!

Enjoy walking around the market! Have fun looking at all the produceand goodies!

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Got kids or grandkids? Got kids or grandkids? Take them along!Take them along!

Many kids have never seen or tried some of the foods at Farmers’Markets.

Let them see...

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...carrots with their tops ...carrots with their tops

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...zucchinis with blossoms ...zucchinis with blossoms

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...cauliflower surrounded...cauliflower surrounded by a cocoon of leaves by a cocoon of leaves

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Bring some cash or Bring some cash or money saving coupons!money saving coupons!

Vendors may not accept checks or credit cards in some areas.

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• Take your own canvas or net bags or baskets, as Farmers’ Markets don’t usually have shopping carts!

• Wide woven baskets help prevent produce from piling on each other.

• Place heavier items at the bottom of the basket or bag.

• To avoid squishing your produce, consider shopping with several bags or baskets.

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Dress comfortably!Dress comfortably!

• Weather can change fast!

• Wear comfortable shoes if you have to walk a lot.

• Keep a jacket and umbrella in the car in case of wet weather.

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Go early!Go early!

Growers often only bring a few pounds of produce and the best bunches goes first!

On warm days, the quality of unrefrigerated fruits and vegetables can decline from morning to afternoon. However, you might get a great deal at the end of the day!

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Experiment!Experiment!

Be flexible. Wait and see what’s best at the market! You might get a new tasty treat for your menus!

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Ask questions!Ask questions!

• Learn about new andold favorites, how to prepare them and when they are ripe.

• Most farmers and vendors love to share what they know and may be able to give you cooking and recipe hints.

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Check it all out! Check it all out!

• See who has what and at what price.

• Buy something you haven’t tried before!

• Ask the grower ways to select and prepare your produce.

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Try not to over-buyTry not to over-buy• Aim to buy foods

you’ll eat now when they are fresh.

• Select an amount you can use withina short time, especially, if you won’t need it right away.

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•FYI FactsFYI Facts•Food & NutritionFood & Nutrition•Food SafetyFood Safety•Friendly AdviceFriendly Advice

•For More InformationFor More Information

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““Pick” more produce facts Pick” more produce facts at the following Websites... at the following Websites...

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http://lancaster.unl.edu/nep/FruitVeggie.shtmlhttp://lancaster.unl.edu/nep/FruitVeggie.shtml

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http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.govhttp://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov

Don’t know what’s right for you? Use this

online calculator!

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http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.orghttp://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org

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http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS68816

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ResourcesResources1. Agricultural Research Service Image Gallery, http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/2. Body & Soul, http://www.bodyandsoul.nih.gov/ 3. Farmers Markets and Food Safety, Carol Schultz, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, July

2001. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/COLUMNCC/cc010703.html 4. Farmers Market Facts, http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/FMSeniors.htm5. Food Safety for Farmers’ Market Vendors. Julie A. Albrecht, PhD, Extension Nutrition Specialist, University of

Nebraska-Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1706, April, 2007. http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/g1706.pdf6. Food Safety for Farmers Markets

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf2260.pdf (Kansas State University)7. Fruit and Vegetable Fact Sheets, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Nutrition Education Program,

http://lancaster.unl.edu/nep/FruitVeggie.shtml 8. Fruits and Vegetables Matter, http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov9. Fruits & Veggies: More Matters, http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/ 10. Harvesting and Storing Home Garden Vegetables, University of Minnesota Extension

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1424.html11. Let's Play ... FOOD: Keep or Toss?, by Alice Henneman, MS, Registered Dietitian & Extension Educator,

Joyce Jensen, REHS, CFSP, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/keep-toss.shtml

12. Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices, FDA, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html

13. Shopping the Farmers’ Market, Janet Fletcher, http://www.globalgourmet.com14. Storing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Home Use, Postharvest Technology Research Information Center,

University of California – Davis, http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/234-13.pdf 15. USDA On-line Photography center Photo Research, http://www.usda.gov/oc/photo/opc-mark.htm

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For further questions…For further questions…

contact your local extension office.

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Know how. Know now.

Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.