You Asked It!

Author: Karen Blakeslee

The Rapid Response Center was formed in 1995 as a resource for Kansas State University Research & Extension Agents. Resource topics included Food Science, Human Nutrition, Food Service, Textiles, Home Care and other consumer topics. Since that time, the Center has grown to be of valuable assistance to Kansas State University Extension Specialists in those areas.

Preserving Spring Greens

Leafy greens
Leafy greens – Photo: Canva.com

It feels like spring! But the calendar hasn’t quite caught up to that season yet. Soon, gardeners will be digging in their garden plots to plant early spring produce. Spring greens, such as spinach, are popular. But once it is grown and ready to harvest, how can spring greens be preserved? Here are some options from the National Center for Home Food Preservation:

  • Canning – includes spinach, collards, kale, and others
  • Freezing – gives the best quality product
  • Dehydrating – see page 10

Always choose freshly harvested greens. Discard wilted, discolored, diseased or insect-damaged leaves.

Foods Sold Directly to Consumers in Kansas

Farmers Market
Farmers Market
Photo: Canva.com

The growth of local foods and farmers markets has been evident across Kansas. To help small food producers prepare and sell foods safely, a publication entitled Foods Sold Directly to Consumers in Kansas: Regulations and Food Safety Best Practices is a comprehensive guide for anyone selling food products direct to consumers. This publication also includes information on selling eggs, poultry, live plants and much more!

This publication gets updated every January, and the 2024 edition is now available. This is a joint project between K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Lodging Division, and Kansas Department of Agriculture Meat & Poultry Inspection Program.

If you need assistance with the food products you would like to make and sell, the Kansas Value Added Foods Lab is a great resource for technical assistance and guidance.

Food Biz Con

Food Business ConferenceLearn, launch and level up your food business. That’s the theme for Food Biz Con to be held March 7-8, 2024, in Independence, MO.

This is a free, two-day conference is for those with mobile food businesses, small food production, restaurants and agriculture. It will help connect food entrepreneurs with workshops and networking opportunities to help businesses grow.

Whether you have a food business or still dreaming, this conference is a great way to learn and launch!

 

 

National Ag Day

National Ag DayAgriculture affects every aspect of our lives. From food, to clothing, to renewable fuel and much more.

National Ag Day will be March 19, 2024 with the theme of Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.

The website has many tools and information on how to promote the event and ideas to plan activities centered around agriculture. Event flyers, logos, social media tools, radio scripts and an essay contest are a few of the ways to participate in this event.

KSRE Food Preservation Publications Updated

Preserv it Fresh, Preserve it SafeFood preservation education is essential to preserving food safely. Using the most up-to-date recipes and methods can lead to success. The following K-State Research and Extension publications have been updated, and a few more will be available in the next few weeks. All of these will be translated into Spanish.

Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe

  • Preserving Strawberries, MF1178
  • Preserving Beans, MF1179
  • Preserving Cherries, MF1180
  • Preserving Vegetables, MF 1181
  • Preserving Peaches, MF1182
  • Preserving Sweet Corn, MF1183
  • Preserving Cucumbers, MF1184
  • Preserving Tomatoes, MF1185 (coming soon)
  • Preserving Peppers, MF1186 (coming soon)
  • Preserving Apples, MF1187

How-to Guides

Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving – Edition 38

Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving - 38th editionIt has been a few years since the Ball® Blue Book® has been updated. The new 38th edition will be coming out this spring.

It includes over 500 recipes with 40 new recipes. It is updated with the latest research to ensure safe and successful canning for all. It includes canning freezing, drying, pickling and more.

Look for this new edition at major retailers such as WalMart, Target, Kroger stores, Ace Hardware and other retailers.

The Ball® Complete Book of Home Preserving has also been updated, the new copyright is 2024.

Also, please note that Ball® Fruit Fresh is being discontinued.

Heartland Regional Food Business Center

Heartland Regional Food Business CenterThe Heartland Regional Food Business Center, a USDA funded program serving Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, is a program to help encourage local food producers to build their businesses. The mission is to help local and regional food businesses and markets with startup resources, learn ways to grow their business, and connect with partners for food processiong, distribution, technical assistance and more.

One way to get connected is to sign up for the monthly newsletter to learn about grant opportunities and connect with technical partners.

 

Score a Touchdown with Food Safety!

Football games are great events to gather with family and friends. As the final football game is upon us, plan your party with food safety in mind to keep food safety penalties away.food safety

Take steps to tackle food safety with these simple tips! You’ll score a touchdown with your family and friends!

super bowl food safety

Learn more about steps to safe food handling at https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety/topics/handling.html.

Presto Precise Digital Canner – Removable Pot Issues

Some consumers have encountered problems with the removable pot inside the Presto® Precise Digital Canner, specifically model 02144 07 series. Here is information from Presto®.

“We have recently received a few reports from consumers of issues with the coating on the removable pot of their model 02144 07 series of the Presto® Precise Digital Canner. The 07 series has a new coating that was believed to be even better than the original. Unfortunately, there may have been some issues with the application of this new coating, and in some instances the coating is blistering. In a few, it has come off the pot, and can potentially stick to the sealing ring. Presto® values you, our customer, and feels it is important to inform you of important issues. We ask that you reach out to Presto® Customer Service at 800-877-0441 for assistance if you experience this issue; however, we hope you will be patient. We have just learned of the issue and do not have replacement pots available at this time. We will replace the pot for you as soon as new inventory arrives. In the meantime, you can safely continue to use the pot. If you need to scrub loose coating off, you can without compromising the function of the pot. It just won’t look “pretty”. Also, we recommend that no vinegar or cream of tartar is added to the water. We extend our sincere appreciation to you for your understanding of this matter.”

As stated above, if you are having problems, contact the Presto® Customer Service. They are very willing to help.