Food Preservation Tips for Your Next Family Reunion

It’s only March and the temps are heating up already. Of course, family reunions are mainly held during warm seasons - and that can cause issues with food safety and preservation. Nobody enjoys foods that have been spoiled in the sunshine - yuck!

For that reason, here are some easy food preservation tips to help everyone have a healthy and happy family reunion:

•  It is not always possible to tell if food is healthy for consumption by sight and smell alone.
• It only has to be a minimum of forty degrees Fahrenheit in order for harmful bacteria to begin multiplying.
• Keep your c old foods chilled and your hot foods warmed.
•  Never allow your chilled foods to sit un-chilled for more than 2 hours.
•  Once foods are served, you need to get them refrigerated, especially in hot weather.

More healthy and helpful food preservation tips for your family reunion!

•  Always keep your beverages separated from your foods. This is because the coolers with beverages inside will be opened more often than the food containers. Opening lets the chilled air escape and heated air in.
•  If you are grilling out, remove only as much meat as you can cook at one time from the meat cooler. Allow the rest to stay chilling until you can make use of it.
•  When you are going to serve a meat-containing pasta salad, be sure that all ingredients are kept nice and cold before ever combining them, especially chicken.
•  Keep cleaning as you go. Wash your hands. Wash your utensils. Wash your cooking area down. Wash the dishes. Wash the countertops repetitively. Wash, wash, wash!
•  When you are transferring marinated meats, place them on their own freshly-washed plate or platter.

Keep reading to learn how to keep your family reunion healthy and safe from bacteria!

•  Do not reuse platters or plates that have held raw meats.
•  Keep some handy wet wipes, the antibacterial type, around at strategic locations. They are far superior to dry napkins.
•  Keep loads and loads of ice on hand. Plan and prepare for this. Ice keeps people cool - and bacteria too. Make sure that you have a well-stocked ice stash. You just can’t have too much!
•  Bring along plenty of aluminum foil for your heated items. The foil will help them stay warm longer while they are transported back to their resting spots.
•  If you are hosting a potluck-style family reunion, then make sure to forward a copy of these tips to all attendees. Make sure everyone does his or her part to protect the rest.

The food is the central theme to any family reunion. Old and new family recipes surface to delight the taste buds of all. Keep it clean and safe with proper food preservation practices and enjoy!

Image by: Besighyawn