Summertime Fairs and Summertime Foods

By Cindy Denby 

One of the things that make our local communities so great is the large number of community events and festivals that are hosted here. From the annual Balloonfest to Fowlerville Fair and other local community events, our community has no shortage of events for residents to enjoy. Recently, I attended the Howell Balloonfest and the Livingston County Conservation District's Family Fun Day at the Iosco Nature Center. Both of these annual events were a rousing success and a great time for all the local residents who attended. It's important to remember that these events which make our area special wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to our local volunteers for their hard work and dedication that help make these events successful year after year.  

Summertime means the arrival of outdoor picnic and grilling season for many Michigan residents. When preparing for these summer parties, the Michigan Department of Agriculture is reminding residents to keep basic food safety rules in mind that will keep you and your family from getting sick this summer.   Residents should always wash their hands in warm, soapy water before, during, and after handling food. Be sure to use separate utensils, cutting boards, and serving dishes for raw and cooked foods, and wash them thoroughly with warm, soapy water before re-using.

Making sure to properly handle meat, especially when it's so warm outside, is an easy way to keep from getting sick. It is suggested that meats be marinated in the refrigerator to avoid spoiling and that meat has been properly cooked and tested with a meat thermometer before eating.  Also, make sure that foods stay at their intended temperatures and don't leave perishable foods out for more than two hours. 

These are just general guidelines to keep you and your family healthy and safe for this summer when having those summer cookouts and barbeques. If you would like more information on food safety you can visit http://www.michigan.gov/mdard or http://foodsafety.gov/.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at cindydenby@house.mi.gov.