Farmers markets offer locals the option of purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables that have been grown nearby. But the high temperatures of summer can make produce spoil more quickly.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension food safety specialist Julie Albrecht is offering tips on selecting farmers market produce and keeping them safe to eat. They include:
- Checking fruits and vegetables for bruising or damage
- Refrigerating or icing produce soon after purchasing it
- Keeping fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry or seafood
-Washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling fresh produce
- Cleaning produce thoroughly before preparing it; not before storing it
- And never using detergent or bleach to wash fresh fruit and vegetables
