Fresh produce at the Prince Albert's Farmer's Market. (submitted photo/ Prince Albert Farmer's Market Facebook page)

By Ronald Quaroni

Food safety

Food safety tips for shopping at the Farmers’ Market

Jul 6, 2019 | 8:00 AM

As the prime farmers’ market season is set to get underway, Health Canada is encouraging Canadians to practice good food safety practices.

In a release they provided some helpful tips.

Produce should be bagged separately from meat, poultry and seafood, kept refrigerated and washed thoroughly before it’s eaten. If buying eggs, purchase them at the end of your shopping trip, keep them refrigerated and watch for cracks. If meat or poultry is on the menu, keep it separated from your other purchases, be sure to keep it refrigerated and if it’s not being used after a couple of days store it in the freezer.

Bob Gill, president of the Prince Albert Farmers’ Market (PAFM) explained all vendors handling food must obtain a food safety certification.

“We’ve never had any incident yet where we’ve had any concerns. The health board comes down on a regular basis and inspects. We work with them hand in hand to make sure we meet all their qualifications,” Gill told paNOW.

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Gill said early summer vegetables such as fresh baby potatoes, lettuce and onions are now available at the market.

“It’s appreciated when people show up to support their local economy,” Gill said. “People put a lot of time and effort, and sweat into their products here. Especially when they’re out in the mud and slop working hard to get their products to market.”

Gill added most vendors who make up the PAFM are within an hour’s drive of the city.

The PAFM operates on Wednesday’s, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. near Central Ave and 11th St. and Saturday’s, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the city hall parking lot.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni