Animals of all kinds, whether they are wildlife, domesticated animals, work animals, pets, or pests, are all potential sources of contamination to fresh produce and water sources on the farm. Animals can track their feces containing harmful microorganisms from one place to another so their presence...
Memorial Day is often seen as the unofficial kickoff to summer. And what better way to celebrate than pulling out the grill and inviting friends and family over for a cookout? Grilling is a great way to keep your kitchen cool and enjoy the classic summer favorites like burgers, grilled chicken,...
Handwashing is one of the key hygienic practices that can reduce the spread of diseases and foodborne illnesses along the farm to fork continuum. We use hands to complete several tasks throughout the day and in so doing, we touch many different surfaces, some of which may contain organisms that may...
When serving a meal to a child, you may have heard them demand that their foods not touch each other. This mantra of “don’t let my foods touch!” is one to live by when storing and preparing raw animal foods, including meat, poultry, fish, seafood and eggs, which must be kept separate from ready-to...
One of the key decisions farmers make is about where to plant crops. This question becomes even more important if you plan to grow fresh fruits and vegetables that will likely be eaten without cooking. The field in which fresh fruits and vegetables are grown can greatly impact their safety, and the...
Norovirus is the number one cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. The number of Norovirus cases reported to the Centers for Disease...
Water is amazing, right! Human bodies contain around 60% water; it's part of our natural environment from weather to watersheds; and we need water for our...
Eggs are a tasty and easy-to-prepare source of protein. But when storing and handling them safely, you might have some questions. How long do eggs last in the fridge? If an egg floats, does that mean it’s bad? Can you freeze eggs? Let’s crack open some common egg safety questions!How long...
Fresh produce packing facilities come in different sizes and designs. Some maybe fully closed and others partially closed with a few legs and a roof. Some may be permanent structures and others temporary. Farms may also use their limited space to accomplish multiple activities which may include...
