![A large pumpkin grows in a northern Florida farm field. [CREDIT: UF/IFAS, Eric Zamora]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/10/2022_FCS_pumpkinPatch01_ifasZamoraEric_CROP1338x357TINY.png)
October is one of my favorite months of the year for many reasons, from the beginning of cooler weather to the love of pumpkin everything! October brings pumpkin to everything: scented candles, drinks and coffees, pies, muffins, breads, cakes, ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![a construction worker outside a home project. [credit: pixabay.com, leeroy agency]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/10/2022_FCS_constructionWorker01_pixabayLEEROYAgency_CROP1338x357TINY.png)
In the wake of Hurricane Ian (or any similar disaster), if you're facing home or property repairs, now is the time to pull out that list of reliable contractors you prepared well in advance of the storm, as noted in our preparedness blog posts. If ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Work & Life![hurricane ian nears the florida coast, in this sept. 28, 2022, satellite image. [credit: national oceanic and atmospheric administration]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/10/2022_FCS_hurrIan01_dateUnknown_noaaCROP1338x357.png)
A federal-state partnership is aiming to help individuals/families impacted by Hurricane Ian but not already receiving food assistance benefits. The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), offered by the U.S. Department ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition![Hurricans Irma, Jose and Katia line up across the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean in 2017. [CREDIT: NOAA]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/06/2020_FCS_factsheetHurricanesIrmaJoseKatia20170908_noaaCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Regardless of a physical or mental condition, we all need to plan for a disaster. It's especially important for those medical needs, and Sarasota County has designated certain evacuation centers for those individuals with qualifying needs. But, ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Work & Life
In the last post, "Disaster Preparedness: Planning for medically dependent sheltering," we talked about how to register for a medically dependent evacuation center. In this post, we'll look at how to prepare if someone you know has a special ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Work & Life![A man clasps his hands over his stomach, in apparent pain. [CREDIT: pxhere.com]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2021/11/2018_FCS_blogFoodSafety01_pxhere1338x357TINY.jpg)
With our growing-friendly climate and the availability of fast transportation options from far-removed points, we have the opportunity to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables are available year-round. If we want to truly enjoy these delicious ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition![a 'hello kitty' lunch bag, as seen on a passerby. [credit: pixabay.com, hesiyi]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/09/2022_FCS_blogLunchBoxHelloKitty_pixabayHesiyi_CROP1338x357TINY.png)
Have you ever thought about how long a lunchbox stands at room temperature before it is enjoyed? And what that means for your food safety? You should. Because, whether you are packing a lunchbox or packing up for a picnic, unwanted bacteria ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition![A tomato being hand-washed in a kitchen sink. [credit: uf/ifas, tyler jones]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2019/06/2017_FCS_foodSafety_ifasCROP1338x357.jpg)
September has been designated as National Food Safety Education Month by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And, even though the United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world, according to the U.S. ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & NutritionHave you ever had a foodborne illness? Would you know if you had? Foodborne illness symptoms can mimic the flu, with upset stomach, fever and diarrhea as common issues. So, it's important to note that we are all vulnerable and anyone can ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![food can with the "best before" product date shown on the top. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2020/01/2020_FCS_foodlabeldateBestBefore07_ufsaraextCROP1338x357.jpg)
In the last blog post, we discussed how prevalent are foodborne illnesses, the populations especially vulnerable to this issue. In this post, we will discuss some safe food-handling practices while we are at the grocery store. Sometimes, ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life