How Are You Managing the Recalls? Growing Your Own Food as a Safe Alternative

In recent years, recalls of everything from produce to meat have become alarmingly frequent. From E. coli outbreaks in lettuce to contamination in ground beef, it is hard not to feel a little anxious every time you head to the grocery store. But fear not! There is a growing movement towards self-sufficiency. Which will allow you to take control of your food sources. I am here to share how you can join in.

Growing your own food is one of the best and safest ways to ensure what you eat is fresh, healthy, and free from contaminants. Living in the Midwest, I experience all four seasons, which can be a challenge, but I have found ways to make it work year-round. Here is how I do it, and how you can too!

Growing Food Indoors During the Cold Months

In colder climates, like here in the Midwest, starting plants indoors is crucial. I begin germinating seeds in small planters in my garage. This way, when the last frost finally passes, I have strong, healthy plants ready to be moved outdoors. It is a rewarding process to watch tiny seedlings grow into robust plants.

Potatoes and Onions: Simple and Sustainable

Container gardening potatoes

For potatoes, I cut the tops off, place toothpicks in them, and suspend them in a cup of water. Only submerging the bottom of the potatoe. Within about fourteen days, the bottoms should sprout a wealth of roots. Next, your potatoes are ready to be planted in soil. Onions are even simpler: I buy a bag of organic onions, let them sit in a cool, dark place until they start rooting, and then plant them. It is amazing to see these kitchen staples give new life rather than ending up in the trash.

Reusing and Recycling: From Kitchen Scraps to Garden Treasures

Instead of throwing out kitchen scraps, I compost fruit and veggie skins from my juicing sessions. This not only enriches my garden soil but also reduces waste. For seed starting, I use large trays in the garage, which provide a controlled environment for herbs, companion plants, and teas.

Are you managing recalls?

One concern you might have been whether using recalled produce for compost or planting can affect your harvest. If the recall is due to bacterial contamination, the elevated temperatures involved in composting should kill any harmful bacteria. However, if you are worried about chemical contamination, it is best to avoid using those scraps in your compost or garden.

Product Recall Information (August 2024)

Product	Reason for Recall	States Affected	Company Name	Date of Recall	Resolution
Jolly Rancher Popsicles	Potential contamination (Class I)	Nationwide	Not specified	August 2024	Recalled from stores, customers advised to return items
Perdue Chicken Breast Nuggets & Tenders	Possible metal contamination	Nationwide	Perdue Foods LLC	August 16, 2024	Product recalled, investigation ongoing
Boar’s Head Deli Meat Products	Potential Listeria contamination	Nationwide	Boar's Head Provisions Co.	July 30, 2024	Expanded recall, ongoing investigation
Hickory Hollow Jerky	Produced without federal inspection	Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma	Hickory Hollow Jerky	August 30, 2024	Recalled from stores, production halted

The road map starts here: Go Green, Get Growing!

Now more than ever, taking control of what we consume is vital. Do you want to know what is on your plate? Growing your own food will provide that knowledge. Plus, connect you to the earth. Backyard or balcony can be used to start this journey. You do not have either, that is okay! Try your kitchen window seal. There are countless ways to start gardening.

Just start planting food! Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your food is fresh. Now, you should have no more questions about managing the recalls. Remember, growing your food is a safe alternative. Hopefully, you are inspired to live a different lifestyle. If you need help, send me a message. Go forth and make your garden flourish. Good new, our lives will be a little more sustainable by doing so.

set up for indoor gardening

Happy planting! 🌱

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