As the holiday season approaches, it’s a great time to share gifts with your loved ones. If you’re considering giving the gift of food, there are many options, including subscription boxes, home-delivered groceries, and homemade treats. However, when sending food gifts, it’s important to prioritize food safety to keep your loved ones safe.
The most crucial step when giving food as a gift is to communicate with the recipient.
- Ask about any food allergies or aversions they may have.
- Find out if they will be home when the food is delivered so they can refrigerate it promptly. Perishable items or cooked meals can cause food poisoning if left out for more than 2 hours. Bacteria that lead to food borne illnesses multiply rapidly when food is in the “danger zone,” which is between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C).
- Let them know how the food should arrive. Perishable items should arrive frozen, partially frozen with visible ice crystals, or at least at refrigerator temperature (40°F (4°C) or below when measured with a food thermometer). If the food arrives above 40°F (4°C), it should be discarded.
- Ensure they understand how to store the food. All perishable items should be placed in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible.
- Consider providing safety tips for preparing and cooking the food, as well as advice on storing leftovers.
When gifting homemade canned goods, it’s essential to follow proper guidelines. Adhere to Cottage Food laws when gifting home-canned items. A Cottage Food Operation refers to a person producing non-hazardous food items in their home, such as baked goods, jams, jellies, and fruit butter. Home-canned foods are items that someone has canned for their family’s consumption. It is not advisable to share foods that do not appear on the Cottage Food list. Home-canned foods can carry risks, such as botulism, a severe illness caused by a toxin produced in improperly canned items.
There are many non-perishable food items that are a great option for gifts. Below are some low-risk food gift ideas and recipes you may want to try.
Gift from the Kitchen Recipes
- Alphabet Soup Mix
- Apple Crisp Topping Mix
- Convenience Salt-Free Seasoning Mix
- Cranberry Pecan Muffin Mix
- Cranberry Rice Pilaf Mix
- Gingerbread Cookie Mix
- Granola Mix
- Minestrone Bean Soup Mix
- Oatmeal Raisin Muffin Mix
- Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookie Mix
- Peach Crisp in a Mug
- Seasoned Coating Mix for Meat, Poultry, and Fish
As the holiday season approaches, gifting food can be a delightful option, but it’s important to prioritize food safety. Make sure to follow the tips above to keep your family and friends safe this holiday season.
Author: Megan Taylor, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development, Union County
Reviewer: Jennifer Little, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Hancock County