FSIS launches YouTube channel

Although USDA has its own page on YouTube, we're still looking to find as many ways to get public information out as possible. That's why the Food Safety and Inspection Service is online with a YouTube page of its own at www.youtube.com/USDAFoodSafety.

You'll be able to find video in English, Spanish and American Sign Language about all kinds of food safety issues -- how to prepare and store food, for example, or what to do with food after a natural disaster.

This is just one more part of the bigger effort to ensure Americans are eating safe food. Keep checking out the new page frequently as we upload important food safety messages for consumers and producers.

Permalink  |  Posted: 05:03PM Jul 31, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Learning about rain barrels at the Healthy Garden Workshop

You may not know it, but the rain falling on your roof during storms can take a major toll on the environment.

When the rain runs off your home or apartment, it collects pollutants and debris -- and carries them directly into the nearest storm drain, beginning their journey to local bodies of water. In the mid-Atlantic, for example, storm runoff is a leading cause of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

One great way to protect the environment and conserve water is to collect the runoff in a rain barrel; this was the focus of today's Healthy Garden Workshop at the Peoples' Garden in Washington.



Volunteer experts from the Audubon Naturalist Society presented the purpose behind home rain barrels, and explained to two dozen visitors at the Peoples' Garden the usefulness for a homeowner of installing a rain barrel, including savings on water usage (and on the water bill!). They went over the many options available to people considering a rain barrel on their property, including the size of the barrel, necessary equipment, and the choice between home construction of a barrel and commercial purchase.





This is just one more way people can be involved in conservation from their homes. Every Friday at the Peoples' Garden outside the Jamie L. Whitten Building in Washington, USDA staff and volunteer experts are holding similar Healthy Garden Workshops, showing visitors many other tips to get involved in gardening and conservation.

If you're in town, stop by Fridays at noon to learn more about gardening, conservation, and how you and your community can help contribute to sustainable American agriculture.

Permalink  |  Posted: 03:54PM Jul 31, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [1]

Vilsack, Sebelius announce new food safety strategies at Eastern Market

Secretary Vilsack went to Eastern Market, a fresh food market in Southeast DC today, along with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, to outline new food safety strategies being undertaken by the Obama Administration.

The Secretary pledged USDA support in making directives as clear as possible for beef plant inspectors, making it easier for USDA inspection teams in the field to inspect food for e-coli bacteria. Vilsack also announced food inspectors will start sampling "bench trim" -- beef left over from the first cuts of meat that are used to prepare ground beef -- for E-coli.

"Making prevention a priority is critical to reducing foodborne illness and one of the three food safety principles of President Obama's Food Safety Working Group," said Vilsack. "The actions we are taking today will result in safer food in our country, which means healthier children and less costly healthcare."

The effort to ensure the safety of America's food supply has been a priority for both Secretary Vilsack and the President since the beginning of the administration; Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Sebelius head the Food Safety Working Group, created to improve our approach to food safety and make Americans more aware of the ways in which they can keep their food safe.

Permalink  |  Posted: 02:35PM Jul 31, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

GardenERS Project -- a rooftop Peoples' Garden -- opens in Washington

The Peoples' Garden project came about to help show Americans the great things we can do in producing our food -- including sustainable growing practices, conservation techniques, and gardening skills. The national demonstration garden outside the Whitten Building in Washington has been a big hit, with visitors every week coming by to learn more about gardening and the best ways to do it.

Given the success of the original garden, everyone was excited today when Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan cut the ribbon on a rooftop Peoples' Garden, dubbed the GardenERS project and perched atop the building which houses the USDA Economic Research Service offices at 18th and M Streets in Northwest Washington, DC.

Volunteers are going to work with the National Park Service to care for the park, which will feature native perennials and won't require any fertilizer. Plans are also in the works to garden edible plants inside the building in containers, demonstrating ways we can grow our food indoors or in small spaces.

The Peoples' Garden project is intended to expand, to show Americans what we can do on small, sustainably-managed pieces of land. You can always check out the Peoples' Garden on Twitter or the web site.

Permalink  |  Posted: 04:14PM Jul 30, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]