DID YOU KNOW?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a sandwich must have at least 35% cooked meat and be no more than 50% bread. The average American child eats about 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before finishing high school.

Dating back to the fifties, Sandwich Month is celebrated every year in August to honor one of the most versatile and beloved foods in the world.

National Hot Dog Month is celebrated in July.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) in the US encourages and supports events to celebrate the month, including National Hot Dog Day, which falls on the third Wednesday of July each year. In 2024, National Hot Dog Day will be on July 17. The NHDSC also provides advice on hot dog eating etiquette, though most Hot Dog Day events don't follow it strictly

National Ice Cream Month is celebrated in the United States every July, with National Ice Cream Day taking place on the third Sunday of the month

National Soul Food Month celebrates the heritage and history of foods and foodways of African Americans and peoples from the African diaspora. The culinary contributions of this group have had an indelible impact on the American menu.

Food is culture and the culture of African Americans is woven into the fabric of the American menu. From the innumerable folks whose creativity, skills and mother wit led to industry changing industrial innovations such as Norbert Rillieux, Edmond Albius, or Frederick McKinley Jones; media personalities like Nancy Green or Lena Richards, the first Black woman to host her own television cooking show or Lucille B. Smith who created the first hot roll biscuit mix. The list of those who contributed to this American cuisine is long and in June we will celebrate some of them as we mark 23 years of National Soul Food Month, looking at the past, the present and the future.

Often when we cook at home or eat in a restaurant, we have leftovers. To ensure that leftovers are safe to eat, make sure the food is cooked to a safe temperature and refrigerate the leftovers promptly. Not cooking food to a safe temperature and leaving food out at an unsafe temperature are the two main causes of foodborne illness. Safe handling of leftovers is very important to reducing foodborne illness. Follow the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's recommendations for handling leftovers safely. Click *MORE INFO* tab below

October is #SeafoodMonth! 🎣🦞🐟🦐 Learn how to select, prepare, & store seafood safely to reduce the risk of foodborne illness> go.usa.gov/xVw26

Fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients and are an important part of a healthful diet. In fact, a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and aid in children’s proper growth and development.

As with any type of food, it is important to handle seafood safely to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning.” Follow these safe handling tips for buying, preparing, and storing fish and shellfish – and you and your family can safely enjoy the fine taste and good nutrition of seafood.

Ag and Food Sectors and the Economy

The U.S. agriculture sector extends beyond the farm business to include a range of farm-related industries. In 2021, agriculture, food, and related industries contributed 5.4 percent to U.S. gross domestic product and provided 10.5 percent of U.S. employment; Americans' expenditures on food amount to 12 percent of household budgets on average. Among Federal Government outlays on farm and food programs, nutrition assistance far outpaces other programs.

Since 1994, U.S. National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM) has been recognized each September to raise awareness about the importance of food safety education. For NFSEM 2023, organizations, academia, and regulatory agencies are offering free resources, training, and educational content about food safety.

Ag and Food Sectors and the Economy

The U.S. agriculture sector extends beyond the farm business to include a range of farm-related industries. In 2021, agriculture, food, and related industries contributed 5.4 percent to U.S. gross domestic product and provided 10.5 percent of U.S. employment; Americans' expenditures on food amount to 12 percent of household budgets on average. Among Federal Government outlays on farm and food programs, nutrition assistance far outpaces other programs.