We all want to feed our families fresh, healthy foods, but some items in your kitchen may be doing more harm than good.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says tens of millions of Americans get sick from contaminated food every year, including food labeled organic. Last year alone, food recalls tied to E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria jumped by 41%, while related hospitalizations and deaths more than doubled.

In its latest food safety report, Consumer Reports identified several common grocery items as top offenders for contamination:

• Leafy greens and deli meats
• Onions, cucumbers, organic carrots, and organic basil
• Eggs, raw milk and raw milk cheeses
• Soft cheeses like queso fresco

Experts say contamination can happen anywhere, from the farm to processing plants to your own kitchen.

To reduce your risk of foodborne illness, Consumer Reports recommends the following safety steps:

• Always cook meat to the correct internal temperature using a food thermometer
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and fresh produce
• Thoroughly clean countertops and surfaces
• Avoid rinsing raw meat, which can spread bacteria around your sink area
• Store meat on the lowest shelf in the fridge
• Don’t leave food sitting out for more than two hours, or just one hour if it’s hot outside

Other risky items include raw sprouts, shellfish like oysters, uncooked flour, and unpasteurized juices, all of which have been tied to recent outbreaks.

Experts say staying informed and using smart food safety practices can go a long way in keeping your kitchen safe and your family healthy.

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Deandrea Rayner addressed food insecurity in Indianapolis by establishing the Indy Community Pantry, which launched in 2020 and has since expanded to include five dry-goods pantries and three community refrigerators throughout the city.

The initiative started with Rayner filling old boxes with food. Still, the demand quickly outpaced the supply, prompting her to expand the project with the help of volunteers and donations.

Rayner said, “It was a lot of people who didn’t have the resources and means to find food because COVID was new, and no one knew what was going on. So, I was like, ‘How can I help?'”

Rayner’s efforts have been supported by

A network of volunteers, who assist with tasks such as donation pickup and stocking the pantries and refrigerators, have supported Rayner’s efforts. “It would not be what it is today without my volunteers.”

The motto of the Indy Community Pantry is simple: Take what you need, leave what you can.

However, keeping the shelves stocked remains a constant challenge due to high demand.

Resident Peter Yazzie, talking about the occasional scarcity of food, said, “Yeah, sometimes we have to look around by ourselves to see if we can find something, and, most of the time, we’ll find something for the time being. But, yes, the refrigerators are empty sometimes.”

Rayner has ambitious plans for the future, including placing a refrigerator in a school and opening a completely free grocery store, but emphasized the need for continued community support and donations to achieve these goals.

The Indy Community Pantry will continue to address food insecurity in Indianapolis, relying on community involvement to sustain and expand its efforts, Rayner said. “That’s why we need the community’s help and why we are so big on donations, because the food goes so fast.”

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Tulip Tree Creamery, an artisan cheese company based in Indianapolis, has achieved international recognition with its Nightshade cheese winning a Super Gold Award at the 2024-2025 World Cheese Awards in Viseu, Portugal.

The prestigious award places Nightshade among the top 2% of cheeses globally, as only 104 Super Golds were awarded out of 4,786 entries from 47 countries. This accolade highlights the quality and craftsmanship of Tulip Tree Creamery’s products.

In addition to the Super Gold Award, Tulip Tree Creamery’s other cheeses also received accolades at the World Cheese Awards. Queen Anne’s Lace earned a Silver, while Milkweed and Trillium each took home a Bronze.

Tulip Tree Creamery has introduced two new cheeses: Blazing Star, a young cheddar, and Marigold, a Latin-inspired cheese with Mexican spices.

A recent grant has enabled the company to acquire new machinery that cuts cheese into pieces, facilitating sales to smaller retailers across the United States.

The creamery is actively involved in community events and national shows, participating in fundraisers like REV and Zoobilation, as well as industry events such as The National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago and the Fancy Food Show in New York City.

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