![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![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![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![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
Think you know food safety? Did you know that 1 in 6 Americans (or about 48 million people) get sick every year from food eating contaminated food, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? Or, that 128,000 of those ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![an array of wrapped, frozen turkeys in a supermarket display. [credit: flickr.com, dennis sylvester hurd]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/2023_FCS_frozenTurkeysCanada01_flickrCC0_DennisSylvesterHurdCROP1338x357TINY.png)
It's already half-way through November, and many of us are planning the Thanksgiving menu. As we prepare for the big day, it's important to keep food safety in mind. Whether you are buying a fresh bird or frozen, you need to be aware of how ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![an uncooked, thawed turkey sits on a platter, awaiting cooking. [credit: unsplash.com, hayley ryczek]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2023/11/2023_FCS_turkeyThawedRaw01_unsplashHayleyRyczekCROP1338x357TINY.png)
In our last "Turkey Talk" blog post, we talked about general guidelines for handling fresh and frozen birds. Using the guidance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, let's take a look at the three methods that can be safely used to thaw your ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
In our previous "Turkey Talk" blog posts, we covered how to safely handle frozen and fresh turkeys, along with how to properly thaw a frozen turkey. So, now it's time to talk about how to roast the perfect turkey, one that not only tastes ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life