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Food Safety Spotlight
Many people don't realize that food safety is the most important ingredient in preparing food for the holidays. If you missed our recent 'Holiday Food Safety Update", take a moment to gain a refresher by clicking the link below.
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| Issue: 19 |
Thanksgiving Edition|Nov/2014
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Featured Article
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Mecklenburg Family & Consumer Sciences and Extension Master Gardeners partnered for a successful series
by Kristin Davis, Extension Agent
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| Canning class participants prep veggies for salsa. |
The program was prompted by growing request for resources to teach families how to grow and prepare their own food, improve health and nutrition and reduce their carbon footprint. "I noticed a trend in programs that provided gardening instruction. Yet, many programs failed to provide guidance on how to prepare healthy meals, which is what consumers are requesting," says Kristin Davis, Local Foods Extension Agent with NC State's Cooperative Extension. Read more
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What's Happening with ECA?
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Mecklenburg revives Extension & Community Associations with new focus
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| ECA prospects get to know each other with icebreaker. |
On October 30th, the Mecklenburg Family and Consumer Sciences program hosted an Extension and Community Association (ECA) Interest Social. The purpose of NC Extension and Community Association is to empower individuals and families to improve their quality of living through continuing education, leadership development and community service. Prior to budget cuts in 2004, Mecklenburg county led the region with ECA clubs and volunteer participation. Since that time, much has changed in the Charlotte-Metro area, as well as within NC Cooperative Extension. The new Mecklenburg ECA brings a new perspective and fresh focus to a traditional volunteer concept.
The revived Mecklenburg ECA will focus on developing the following focus areas in club members and the community: local food & agricultural advocacy, health and wellness, environmental impacts through sustainable practices, leadership development,strengthen families, and cultural awareness. Read more
Interested in learning more about Mecklenburg's Extension & Community Association? Visit our website at http://mecklenburg.ces.ncsu.edu/ecaclub/
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#MeckECA #WhereLeadershipBlossoms
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The Farm Fresh Table
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Make the Best of your Leftovers
by Kristin Davis, Extension Agent
Ahhhh...holidays! The time of year when we share our most decadent recipes with friends and family. From roasted turkey to berry pies, the holidays provide culinary diversity...and lots of leftovers! Leftover and food scraps can provide a delicious base for many recipes.
If you have been throwing away your food scraps, we offer you a few cost-efficient options to make the best of your holiday meals!
- Make meat or veggie stock from collected scraps while cooking. Those veggie ends, skins and meat bones are awesome for stock. Here a recipe for meat stock and veggie stock
- Preserve cranberry sauce for Christmas and other holiday meals. Cranberries are seasonal--canning is a great way to have your favorite recipe all year. Feel free to add herbs and spices to this recipe
- Use leftover turkey to make other culinary creations. There are so many options for turkey leftovers. Here's a recipe that requires minimal time and saves energy by using the slow cooker.
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Educational Opportunity for Aspiring Farmers
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Cooperative Extension's NC Farm Schools support new and aspiring farmers
In an effort to help "grow" new farmers in North Carolina, N.C. Cooperative Extension is offering four NC Farm Schools across the state beginning in January. The Southern Piedmont Farm School will meet at the Cooperative Extension center in Rowan County (2727 Old Concord Rd, Salisbury, NC) and will receive support from Cooperative Extension agents in nine surrounding counties.
New farmers, like husband-wife team Al and Linda Hutchinson, who just recently purchased some farmland after receiving the Farm School as a gift, stated it was "the best Christmas present ever!"; Al and Linda are planning to start their Wild Kitchen Garden farm providing old fashioned herbs, fruit, flowers, and veggies. Read more
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Top 10 Reasons to Consume Cranberries
By The Cranberry Institute
Children who are introduced to fruits and vegetables at a young age are more likely to enjoy them throughout their lifetime.
The Produce Lady offers 10 tips to help you introduce healthy, fresh produce to young palates.
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Parents are a key ingredient in getting children to appreciate the vibrant colors, sweet smells and fantastic flavors of fruits and vegetables. If parents consume and enjoy fresh produce,
chances are their children will too. Leading by example is so important.
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Support Local Food! NC 10% Campaign
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| www.NC10Percent.Com |
COUNTY-WIDE CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Here's where we are so far in Mecklenburg County:
473 participating Individuals and 32 Businesses, Non-Profits and Civic Groups have spent $211,898 on local food and saved $11,944 by growing their own food.
Great job Mecklenburg!
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MECKLENBURG COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES PROGRAM
Contacts:
Local Foods & Farmers Market Outreach
Kristin_Davis@ncsu.edu
Adult Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program
Ph: 704.336.2082
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