Get Your Calcium-Rich Foods
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate dietary recommendations describes the Dairy Group to include milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, and yogurt. This group...
Category: Food
Drying Foods
Discover the benefits of drying foods and learn techniques for fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is required for many foods found in your local grocery store. COOL gives consumers information about the origin of their foods. Food operations such as restaurants,...
Food Allergies
What Is a Food Allergy? A food allergy is an abnormal reaction to food, even a very small amount. The body’s disease-fighting (immune) system mistakenly thinks the food is harmful and produces...
June Is National Dairy Month
June is recognized as National Dairy Month, which started in 1937 to promote drinking milk. It is a great way to start the summer with nutrient-rich dairy foods, including milk, yogurt, or cheese....
Canning Tools
Lid Lifter/Lid Wand The canning lid lifter/lid wand is a magnet attached to a short plastic stick and is a useful tool for lifting metal lids from hot water. Lid wand brands include Back to Basics,...
Say “No” to Old Pickle Recipes
The Question “I recently made homemade dill pickles by my grandmother’s recipe; I have made pickles by this recipe for a very long time. This year the pickles were bubbling when I opened...
Pressure Canning Revisited
A frequent question to the Home & Garden Information Center: “I canned my green beans in a water bath canner. Are they safe?” Often this question is prefaced by “My mother and...
Why Mason-type Canning Jars
The major reason we recommend Mason-type canning jars is our experience with them and their decreased rate of breakage compared to mayonnaise jars, salad dressing jars, spaghetti sauce jars, or...
Watch the Headspace
Headspace is the unfilled space between the food in a jar and the lid of a jar. General canning headspace recommendations from the United States Department of Agriculture are as follows: Leave ¼...
Preserving Freshness: The Basics of Food Preservation
Food preservation is an age-old practice that has allowed us to enjoy fresh food throughout the year. From refrigeration to freezing or pickling to drying, there are countless ways to keep your food...
Food Safety at Home: Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy
Food safety is a top priority for any household, as unsafe food handling practices can lead to foodborne illnesses and severe health consequences. This blog post will discuss simple tips for...