Daily Preparedness

Our most common and effective source of complete protein necessary for human health is meat–beef, chicken, pork, lamb and fish. Market analysts are predicting that today’s lowered meat prices are a temporary stop on the Inflation Train. Most analysts suggest that this ’stop’ is due to meat producers increasing their sales of meat to market to avoid paying record prices for grain and other associated costs of raising and bringing meat to market. We, the consumers, can benefit from this temporary pricing downturn and stock up before prices (again according to industry analysts) rise sharply.

No matter what the cost, meat must be handled and stored properly if it is to provide safe nutrition for our families. This safety begins in the grocery store. Purchase your meat at the end of your shopping trip, thus keeping it cold longer. Consider investing in a washable insulated bag or two that can hold your meat purchases from the meat counter all the way home. This is particularly valuable in the hottest summer months.

Most grocery stores offer plastic bags in which to place your meat selections. Utilize these as well as paper towels and hand sanitizer. Place your meat in your grocery cart away from other grocery items. The bottom rung of the grocery cart is a good place, which prevents meat drippings from contaminating other items.

When choosing meats, make sure the meat feels cold in the case. Some consumers carry meat selections around the store; leave them in aisles or at the check out counter. These items have been exposed to warmer temperatures and bacteria may have begun to grow. When choosing fish, remember that if it smells too ‘fishy’, it isn’t fresh!

Look for meat items marked down. These can be a great buy! Some grocery stores mark down their meats on a specific schedule, such as 4pm every day. Ask the butcher at your favorite store if there is a mark down time and shop accordingly!

Some grocery stores will also grind meat for you. This is great for sales on roasts or whole chunks of meat that you would prefer to use as ground meat.

Watch the cashier as she packages your groceries. Do not allow them to place raw meat in bags with other food items. All store employees should be trained to follow this common protocol, but some forget or fail to follow the rules. If raw meat is placed in a bag with fresh produce, insist on replacement produce.

After getting your meat choices home, unpack the meat and frozen items first from your car and refrigerate immediately. Again, keep the meat segregated from other foods. Plastic shoeboxes, trays, dishes, etc are all good options for segregating raw meats in the refrigerator.

If you are going to freeze your meat purchases, spread them around in the freezer. Most home freezers cannot freeze ’stacked up’ packages, especially densely packed ones, quickly. If you have saved money by purchasing a ‘club’ or ‘family’ package that is too big for a single meal, it is simple to reduce the meat to meal-sized portions. First, follow safe meat handling procedures by beginning with clean hands and work surface. It is preferable to cover your work surface with a clean, washable cutting board or mat. Cut or portion the meat into your preferred size and wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Try to avoid getting the plastic wrap folded into the meat. Place multiple plastic wrapped portions into a heavy-duty storage bag and label; include the cut of meat and date purchased on your label. A permanent marker will write on most plastic bags. Work as quickly as possible, removing only the portion you can process quickly from the refrigerator. Once wrapped and bagged, place the meats in the freezer. You now have perfect meal sized portions of meat! Complete your work session by sanitizing your hands, cutting board, knife and counter top.

You can also pre-cook meat before freezing it. This works particularly well for marked down meats and ground meats. Simply cook as you normally would, stopping the cooking process just sort of ‘well done’. Cool the meat slightly, package into meal sized portions and freeze as you would the raw meat. This is a great time saver!

When defrosting meats, the preferred method is either to place the meat in the refrigerator or utilize the microwave to defrost quickly. Many types of meat can also begin cooking from their frozen state. You simply start off cooking at a slightly lower than normal temperature and increase the cooking time. Covering the pan also encourages quicker defrosting.

Canning is another option for preserving meat and extending its shelf life. If you wish to utilize this method, you MUST have a pressure canner (different from a pressure cooker) and follow guidelines carefully.

Pre-canned meats such as tuna fish have long shelf lives. They are great sources of quick meals, emergency food and good sources of protein. Store your canned meats in a cool place and periodically check their expiration dates.

Whichever cuts you prefer, shop, store and prepare smartly to ensure good quality and food safety!