![a digital meat thermometer reads 165.3 degrees fahrenheit while checking chicken on a barbecue grill. [credit: uf/ifas, tyle jones; edit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/07/2017_FCS_foodsafetyGrillingThermometer01UPDATE165F_ifasJonesTyler_CROP1650x470.jpg)
Every year, I get invited to participate in the Alligator Creek Festival. During this annual festival, attendees learned about sustainability, environmentally friendly practices, conservation efforts, and community engagement, among other ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Work & Life![a mound of canned food products. [credit: unsplash, jacob mcgowin]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2025/03/2025_FCS_cannedFoodAssortedPile_unsplashJacobMcGowinCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Want to save money on your grocery bill? Well, saving money on your grocery bill actually starts with your pantry and refrigerator. Knowing what foods and ingredients are already in your pantry and knowing what is about to expire means that ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, Work & Life
Mushrooms are often celebrated for their unique flavors and textures, but their versatility extends far beyond the kitchen. These fascinating fungi offer numerous health benefits and serve as sustainable alternatives in various dishes. In this ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![carving a turkey on a cutting board. [credit: unsplash.com, claudio schwarz]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/12/2024_FCS_turkeyCarving01_unsplashClaudioSchwarzCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Perhaps you’ve spent time entertaining and had food left over. Or, you attended a holiday event where the food supplies outpaced the people's demand. So, how do you handle those leftover foods so that uninvited guests, such as a foodborne ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
When a storm approaches, keeping you and your family safe is the highest priority. Yet, many accidents happen after a storm has passed. Remember to always use caution, and follow county directives. In this three-part blog series, we will ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Food Safety, Work & Life![Home in storm [CREDIT: UF/IFAS, Cat Wofford]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/10/Feature-Image-Blog-6-1.png)
Whether you're preparing for a storm or dealing with its aftermath, pests are probably the last thing on your mind. That's fair - we get it! However, taking the time to prepare your home in defense against unwanted ants, flies, beetles, moths, ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life![a woman prepares sandwiches at a kitchen countertop. [credit: unsplash.com, hillshire farm]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/09/2024_FCS_lunchSandwichHomePrep_unsplashHillshireFarmEDITSCROP1650x470TINY.png)
It's that time of year again. Children are back to school, with homework, sports and after-school activities. And, many households have dropped into a familiar school-centered rhythm, including packing school lunches. School lunches should ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![whole-grain cereals pour from a glass jar into a pile, with other piles nearby, on a flat, empty tabletop. [credit: pixabay.com, angelica vaihel]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/08/2024_FCS_grainsWholeJarCereals_pixabayAngelicaVaihelCROP1650x470.png)
Did you know that September is Whole Grains Month? And, did you know that the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans tell us that at least half our grains should be whole grains? And, do you know the parts of a whole grain? Or, the nutritional ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![in a computer-generated image, a man holds his nose while standing in fron of an opened refrigerator. [credit: adobe firefly]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/08/2024_FCS_refrigeratorOdorsMan01_fireflyCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Have you ever opened your refrigerator only to be hit by an unpleasant odor? Sure, that might be the onions you forgot to cover the night before. But, it might be bacteria, mold, leaking containers or expired foods lurking somewhere in your ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Home Management, Work & LifeHave you ever heard of the "Temperature Danger Zone"? If you're like many, the term might be new to you. So, let's take a closer look. I have written several blogs on food safety and how to avoid a foodborne illness. But, in this blog, ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Work & Life