Heart-N-Hands Extension Homemakers talk grocery safety

President Sandy Smith of the Heart-N-Hands Extension Homemakers Club presented the “Supermarket Safety” program at the club’s recent meeting.

The meeting and candy cane wreath craft, which Smith also led, were held at Pursuit Church in White Hall.

Smith said every little step to keep food safe is important not only for your wallet, but your health as well, according to a news release.

Some tips for optimum safety are:

Clean and organize your refrigerator and kitchen prior to shopping;

Avoid purchasing dented cans;

Be sure to look at the “sell by” and “use by” dates on perishable foods;

Utilize the plastic bags to keep the raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods in the cart, bags, and coolers at home;

Keep coolers and ice packs in cars when shopping — all perishable foods need to be refrigerated within two hours, or one hour if it is over 90 degrees F;

Make use of reusable grocery bags to save on excess of plastic when shopping;

Clean hands before sampling food; and

Pick up your frozen and refrigerated foods at the end of your shopping trip.

Smith then discussed what to do if you have a recalled product. A food recall occurs when a company removes a food product from the market because of the possibility the food may be contaminated or mislabeled.

If you find a recalled food in your home, don’t panic. Do not open or eat the food, and check the recall notice to find out what to do with the food, Smith instructed.

Local grocery deliveries were discussed. Hot foods should arrive hot, and cold foods should arrive cold. Food should not be kept at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if exposed to temperatures above 90 degrees F. Arrange for delivery when someone is at home so perishable foods such as meat, seafood, poultry, eggs or dairy can be quickly stored in the refrigerator or freezer instead of being left outside until someone is home. Be aware of delivery times.

Smith closed the program by discussing safe food handling at home.

During the business meeting, Alcina Battenfield volunteered to be the secretary of Heart-N-Hands EHC. Lori Rosetti and Terri Penna, continuing education chairmen, asked for volunteers to teach club workshops. Nancy Rosen, community service project chairman, reminded everyone of the Hope of the Delta’s Fundraising Banquet. She also asked everyone to continue bringing kid-friendly food for the Transformation Project’s Backpack Program.

The club also held a silent auction and Dawn McNeice was a guest at the meeting.

Members attended the Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Council Fall Council, the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council Delta District Rally in Stuttgart, the October JCEHC Craft Workshop, the AEHC Craft Retreat at the Ozark Folk Center, and the Holiday Foods Show in Pine Bluff.