Harvest of the Month

September is National Food Safety Education Month, making it an important opportunity to learn about ways for keeping your food safe. September is also the start of Fall, which is a great time for playing sports.  Using EatFresh.org, you can also find great recipes using September’s Harvest of the Month, Tomatoes.  Check out the information below on tomatoes, sports, and food safety!

September themes

• Nutrition: Be food safe
• Harvest of the Month: Tomatoes
• Physical activity: Sports

Be food safe

A critical part of healthy eating is keeping foods safe. Individuals in their own homes can reduce contaminants and keep food safe to eat by following safe food handling practices. Four basic food safety principles work together to reduce the risk of foodborne illness – clean, separate, cook, and chill.

Here are some tips to fight bacteria and keep food safe:

• Clean  – wash hands and surfaces often
• Separate  – do not cross-contaminate
• Cook  – cook to the safe internal temperature
• Chill  – refrigerate promptly

Additional resources:

• Fight BAC!®  
• Food Safety
• Barbeque Basics: Tips to Prevent Foodborne Illness

Harvest of the Month: Tomatoes

A half cup of sliced tomato is a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. It is also a good source of vitamin K, potassium, and lycopene. There are more than 4,000 varieties of tomatoes ranging in a variety of size, color, and shape.

Featured recipes:

To change the language of the recipe, please visit EatFresh.org and type the recipe name in the search bar. Use the globe icon at the top right corner and select what language you desire.

• Tomato and Garlic Omelet – This omelet makes a great way to start your day at breakfast.
• Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad – Enjoy this salad with pita bread or chips for a satisfying afternoon snack.

Additional tomato facts and recipes:

• Discover Foods - Tomatoes  
• Eatfresh.org - Tomatoes
• Seasonal Produce Guide - What's in Season? Tomatoes
• Food Fact Card: Tomato

Energize your body with sports

Sports are a great way to have fun while being physically active. They can help to increase your chances of living longer, build stronger muscles and bones, reduce depression, and decrease the risk of developing chronic health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Here are some tips for getting started with physical activity:

• Play your favorite sports with friends and family members.
• Play at a local park, YMCA, or parks and recreation center.
• Take lessons or have a friend or family member teach you how to play a new sport.
• Join a sports team.

Additional resources:

• YMCA of Silicon Valley
• Santa Clara County Parks
• City of San Jose – Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services
• City of Gilroy - Recreation Department
• City of Morgan Hill - Parks and Recreation
• City of Campbell - Sports
• City of Milpitas – Recreation and Community Services
• City of Santa Clara - Recreation and Community
• Sunnyvale - Sports
• City of Mountain View - Sports and Fitness
• City of Cupertino - Parks and Recreation
• Los Gatos-Saratoga - Recreation
• City of Palo Alto - Adult and Youth Sports

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