A Step-by-Step Produce Cleaning Guide
There's nothing better than fresh, local, organic food. At Area 2 Farms, we pride ourselves on providing produce with superior levels of nutrients and flavor, and adhering to strict quality standards. Still, we always recommend washing all your fruits and vegetables before enjoying them.
Simple and Effective Cleaning Methods: Step by Step Guide
Note: You don't need special produce washes or soaps; they haven't been proven more effective than water or a simple vinegar solution. If you prefer to use more than just water, a mix of one part white vinegar to three parts water effectively reduces bacteria. Don't worry about an aftertaste—a good rinse with fresh tap water afterwards takes care of it.
Step 1: Wash your hands and rinse out your sink
Step 2: Soak fruits and vegetables in the vinegar and water mixture for 2-3 of minutes
Step 3: Place produce in a clean colander, and with the water running, gently rinse and rub your produce, careful to remove any excess soil. For firmer-skinned produce, you can use a vegetable brush or damp paper towel to remove any soil.
Step 4: Dry the freshly cleaned produce. Place greens and herbs in a salad spinner or lie them flat on a dry kitchen towel, patting with a paper towel to remove moisture. For root vegetables, just pat dry with a paper towel before storing.
Why Clean Your Food?
Food recalls and bacterial outbreaks aren't just headlines—they affect millions. Each year, an estimated 48 million people get sick from the same contaminated food at the grocery store you put in your cart. Consider the journey your non-local produce takes: a complex industrial web of cargo shipping and countless hands. It's like a banknote from an ATM – impossible to know every point of contact before it reaches you
Fresher, Safer, Cleaner: The Local Farm Difference
To avoid food contamination, source your food as locally as possible. Area 2 Farms grows and harvests organic produce, offering transparency in our growing processes. If you’d like to learn more, join one of our Farm Tours - you’ll witness exactly how and where your food is grown. And you will meet the only people whose hands will touch your food before it gets to your kitchen.
