Do not use soap on fruits and vegetables or disinfectants on food packaged in cardboard or plastic wrap.

The gasket compound in used lids may fail to seal on jars, resulting in unsafe food.

Preserve some of what you grow to enjoy later.

The sessions will be held online from 2 to 3 p.m. Central time July 22 and 29 and Aug. 5.

Follow safe food handling practices when having a picnic.

Follow the directions in research-tested recipes when preserving foods at home.

July is the peak month for grilling-related fires.

You can use rhubarb to make sauce, jam, crisp, muffins and pie.

Farmers markets and local food vendors need to take necessary precautions and safety measures to ensure the health of farmers, vendors and customers.

Most of the time, frozen food is safe, although it might be a little freezer-burned from dehydration.