Tips for Handling and Preparing Fresh Produce

— Written By and last updated by Nancie Mandeville
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Sweet Bell Peppers

The summer season will find citizens from all Union County enjoying fresh produce from home gardens, farmer’s markets, and the local grocers. In North Carolina, summer produce includes beets, blackberries, cabbage, some carrots, collards, cucumbers, peaches, plums, radishes, and more.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are a wonderful source of nutrition for our bodies, however, the Center for Disease Control, identifies fresh fruits and vegetables as the number one source of foodborne illnesses. This is primarily because the food is eaten raw and does not go through a heating or “cooking” process. It is important that we clean and prepares these foods safely to prevent foodborne illness. 

The first defense against foodborne illness is washing our hands and washing the fruits or vegetables prior to food prep. While rinsing under tap water, clean the produce with a vegetable brush. Peeling the outer skin of roots will also help remove soil. Do not use bleach or detergent to clean produce.

Make sure the fruits or vegetables are not damaged. Precut melons should be wrapped and refrigerated, before and after purchase.

Keep fresh fruits and vegetables separated from raw meats in the grocery cart and at home. Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and fruits and vegetables. These measures will prevent cross-contamination.

Remove any damaged portions of fruits or vegetables before cooking or eating. As with all prepared foods, refrigerate all cut peeled or cooked fresh fruit within two hours of preparation, to prevent bacteria from forming on the produce.