Keep Your Food Safe on the 4th!

While most of us are packing the coolers for leisurely BBQs this holiday weekend, food safety should still be a priority. Restaurants and other groups serving a large number of guests should also take extra caution to avoid contamination during the chaotic rush of the outdoor holiday crowd!

Lex18.com has a great list of helpful reminders to prevent illness:

• Wash your hands before and after handling food. Be sure all utensils and plates are clean.
• To sanitize surfaces, use a solution of regular household bleach and warm water.
• Separate raw foods from ready-to-eat foods. Use different cutting boards or wash, rinse and sanitize after contact with raw meat, poultry and seafood. Never use the same plate to transport the cooked hamburgers that was used for the raw hamburger patties.
• Handle all cut melons carefully, including cantaloupe and watermelon. Thoroughly clean the outer surface before slicing, and keep work surface and utensils used to prepare a melon clean and sanitized.
• Use the refrigerator for thawing or thaw under cool running water. You may use the microwave for thawing, but grill immediately. Always marinate meats in the refrigerator.
• Refrigerate meat and poultry until ready for use. After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, keep it at 135 degrees F or warmer.
• Refrigerate any leftovers promptly in shallow containers.
• Within two hours cool and maintain leftovers at 41 F or lower or freeze at zero degrees or lower.
• Use a meat thermometer to check for the following internal meat temperatures:

Poultry - 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Red meat - 160 F
Pork - 160 F
Fish - 160 F

The PR Newswire also has a handy list of backyard BBQ do's and don'ts!

Looking for some good summer recipes? The Early Show has some great ideas!

The LA Times wants to teach you how to grill the perfect steak.

Everyone at Pacific Food Distributors wishes you a safe and happy 4th of July!

Friday Fun: Fourth Of July for Foodies

With a heat wave warning this weekend in Portland, people are not going to want to be stuck indoors with a hot stove. Even though the news outlets are reporting travelers will keep close to home, there are still some great local events and places to enjoy the outdoors and a great meal.

Oregon Live recently showcased five great new summer restaurants. Top of the list: The Grilled Cheese Grill, a new Alberta cart that offers outdoor seating on picnic tables, or inside seating in a converted a school bus:

Breslow's operation is another example of what makes the Portland food scene special. Though simple, it's personal and passionate -- and a perfect stop on a lazy summer day or night.

If you prefer more BBQ and a little seafood with your fireworks, Salty's is having their 4th of July Buffet Extravaganza!

Want something more civic-minded? The Lions Club of Lake Oswego will have their annual pancake breakfast starting at 7:00 am on the 4th.

Smith Berry Farm will have their annual Berry Festival from 11-4 on the 4th. Besides great berry dishes and drinks, there will be BBQ food available for purchase.

Planning your own event or summer BBQ? About.com has some great tips for keeping food fresh & safe while you're in the sun.

Everyone at Pacific Food Distributors wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to our blog readers!

Friday Fun: National Chocolate Pudding Day

June 26th holds the honor of being National Chocolate Pudding Day- yes, there is an actual national food holiday for pudding.

To make sure you celebrate correctly, EHow has written a useful article. You can read the history of pudding over at EZine, and Smitten Kitchen has a great recipe where you can cook up your own batch to share with your friends! Oh- and don't forget to send everyone an e-card!