All articles tagged with #fresh produce
Fresh Start Produce Sales has recalled whole cucumbers shipped to 14 states due to potential salmonella contamination. The recall follows a positive test for the bacteria by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The FDA is conducting further investigations, and consumers are advised to discard or return the recalled cucumbers. Salmonella can cause serious infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Boulder, Colorado's Fruit and Veg program, funded by a local soda tax, provides coupons for fresh produce to families in need, allowing them to choose and buy nutritious food. The program, serving about 580 families, aims to bridge the gap for those who don't qualify for federal benefits. Nutrition incentive programs like this have shown success in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, with high coupon redemption rates. The use of soda tax revenue to fund such programs is innovative, providing a "triple win" for consumers, farmers, and the economy, and is seen as a creative way to promote healthy eating.
Indoor gardening systems like Gardyn and Auk offer a solution for growing fresh herbs and vegetables all winter long. Gardyn Home Kit 3.0 is a larger hydroponic garden with integrated grow lights and cameras, controlled through a connected app and AI assistant. Auk is a smaller system that uses trays filled with soil and seeds, with automatic feeding and watering. Both systems provide abundant produce and herbs, but Gardyn is more expensive and offers a wider range of plants and accessories. Auk is a more compact and affordable option for countertop gardening.
Actor Kevin Bacon has revealed that he no longer eats bacon or other meat from pigs due to his personal connection to the animals he keeps on his farm. Bacon, who lives on a farm in Connecticut with his wife Kyra Sedgwick, has decided to keep pigs and goats and feels uncomfortable consuming them. He also grows fresh produce on his farm and enjoys the experience of eating vegetables that he has grown himself. Bacon emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment and having control over what he puts in his body. While he enjoys eating out, he prefers to dine at home for more control over his food choices.
Choosing frozen blueberries over fresh ones offers several advantages, including a longer shelf life, pre-packaged cleanliness, and the ability to easily incorporate them into various recipes. Additionally, frozen blueberries may provide more nutritional value as freezing concentrates the antioxidants, known as anthocyanins, found in the skin of the berries. These antioxidants have been linked to various health benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, frozen blueberries maintain their delicious flavor and freshness, making them a convenient and nutritious choice.
Japanese wellness writer Kaki Okumura, who grew up in the US and Japan, shares her perspective on indulgent food. In Japan, indulgence is not solely based on calories or perceived unhealthiness, but rather on seasonality, freshness, locality, and production techniques. Fresh produce, seafood, and artisanally-grown fruits are often seen as indulgent. Okumura emphasizes that indulgent food and healthy food are not mutually exclusive, and viewing indulgence through the lens of quality and taste can expand our understanding of eating well.
The Fresh Market has been crowned the best grocery store in the US for the third year in a row, offering a personalized shopping experience and a focus on fresh produce and private label items. Hy-Vee takes the title for the best grocery store for produce and prepared food, sourcing locally grown fruits and vegetables and offering a wide range of ready-to-eat meals. The Fresh Market also wins in the categories of best grocery store bakery and deli. John Mull's Meats in Las Vegas is recognized as the best butcher shop, known for its wide selection of meat cuts and game processing services.
Frozen fruit and vegetable prices in the US have surged by almost 12% over the past year, while the cost of fresh produce has seen minimal increases. This discrepancy can be attributed to climate change and extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall and drought in California, which have caused problems for farmers. Additionally, factors like the war in Ukraine, labor cost increases, and disruptions in the supply chain have contributed to the shortage of ingredients for frozen goods. These challenges are expected to impact farmers' profitability and result in higher prices for consumers.
Soft spots on potatoes are safe to eat and are a result of dehydration. These spots do not affect the overall flavor or texture of the potato, so you can simply cut off the affected sections and continue cooking. However, if the potato is mushy all over, has black coloring, or smells rotten, it should be discarded. To keep potatoes fresh, store them in a cool, dry place and separate them from ethylene-emitting produce. Freezing is also an option for long-term storage.
Eden Green Technology, a farming technology company based in Texas, is utilizing indoor vertical farming to disrupt the fresh produce supply chain. Their vertical greenhouse, located near a Walmart distribution center, can grow 2 million pounds of lettuce per year, reducing the need for long-distance transportation. Another company, Revol Greens, has also opened a large controlled environment agriculture lettuce facility in Texas. Meanwhile, Mexico has imposed a 50% tariff on white corn exports from the US, as part of a trade dispute over genetically modified corn. Quality Custom Distribution is opening a new distribution center in Texas, and US Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 900,000 fentanyl pills in California.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a recent outbreak of Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection, reported in over 20 states, including Connecticut. The illness is linked to a parasite commonly found in fresh produce. The source of the outbreak is still unknown, but federal health officials have ruled out raw broccoli as the cause. Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, increased bowel movements, stomach cramps, and nausea. Immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of getting sick. To prevent infection, it is advised to properly prepare and clean fruits and vegetables, and maintain good hand hygiene. Antibiotics are used to treat the illness, and healthcare providers are urged to report any cases to local health departments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a recent string of illnesses in multiple states, including California, linked to a parasite often found in different kinds of fresh produce. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, typically spread by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces. So far this year, 210 illnesses linked to the parasite have been reported in the United States, with between one to five of those cases reported in California. The illness is treated with antibiotics and the CDC advises health care providers to report any cases to the local health department.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a recent string of illnesses in multiple states, including New Jersey, linked to a parasite often found in different kinds of fresh produce. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, typically spread by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces. Health officials are monitoring cases and asking healthcare providers to report any Cyclosporiasis cases to the CDC. Symptoms include frequent and explosive bowel movements, stomach cramps, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. The illness is treated with antibiotics and can last for several weeks to a month or more.
To prevent cucumbers from getting slimy and mushy, it's important to store them properly in the crisper drawer of the fridge at 50°F to 54°F and 90% to 95% humidity. Cucumbers should not be stored near ethylene-emitting produce like tomatoes, apples, or avocados. It's also important to wash cucumbers well before eating and to dispose of any that are slimy or mushy as they can lead to foodborne illnesses or stomach issues. When selecting cucumbers, look for firm ones with a darker green color and no noticeable bruises or soft spots.