Food Safety When Buying Directly from Farmers
— By Chesley Ferris, Dietetic Intern, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Did you know that Maine has around 115 summer farmers’ markets and 30 to 35 winter farmers’ markets?
One of my favorite things about living in Maine is visiting our farmers’ markets. I love connecting with local farmers and finding unique fruits and vegetables. You can find a variety of different foods and locally made products, such as:
- Seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Meat and seafoods
- Honey and maple syrup
- Preserved foods, like jams or pickles
- Fresh flowers and seedlings
- Locally made soaps and crafts
When shopping at your local farmers’ market, it’s important to keep food safety in mind. Here are some tips for your next trip:
Look at your food items closely before buying them
Fruits and vegetables:
- Avoid fruits and vegetables with large bruises, cuts, insect holes, or mold.
Eggs:
- Only purchase eggs that are kept cool, appear clean and do not have any cracks or breakage. Make sure that the eggs are in a clean, covered container.
Shellfish:
- Live shellfish should be tagged and labeled with information about the product. Check for this label as it shows farmers followed national shellfish safety controls.
- Do not buy clams, oysters, and mussels if their shells are cracked or broken.
- Test live clams, oysters, and mussels by tapping them together. Avoid buying any shells that do not close when tapped.
- Make sure lobsters and crabs are still alive when buying them. If their legs aren’t moving, they may not be alive.
Food temperature matters
It’s important for food products, like meats, fish, dairy products, and eggs, to be kept cold. These foods should feel cold to the touch. Just like you wouldn’t buy warm raw meat at the grocery store, you shouldn’t buy foods held at the wrong temperature from the farmers’ market. It’s okay to ask vendors how they keep their food cold.
When in doubt – ask
Don’t be afraid to ask farmers about their farms and the steps they take to keep their products safe. Farmers take pride in their work and are often happy to answer any questions you may have.
Once you get home
- Wash your hands to prevent spreading any bacteria you may have touched while shopping.
- Cold foods, such as meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs, need to go into the refrigerator once you get home.
- Cut or peeled fruits and vegetables should go into the refrigerator within 2 hours of purchasing. On very hot days when the temperature outside is above 90 degrees F, make sure your cut or peeled fruits and vegetables are in your refrigerator within 1 hour of buying them.
- Wash all produce well just before you plan to prepare and eat it. Bacteria can live on the surface. Even fruits with thick skins, such as watermelon and cantaloupe, need to be washed to stop bacteria from getting inside when you cut into them.
- Reusable shopping bags can accumulate dirt and bacteria. Make sure to clean your reusable bag after each trip to the farmers’ market.
Farmers’ markets are fun places to find fresh local foods. So, grab your reusable shopping bag, shop safe, eat fresh, and enjoy the season.
Visit this link to find a farmers’ market near you: Find a Market Near You – Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets