Food Safety for Holiday Meals
The holidays bring together family and friends. These special occasions typically involve food. To prevent giving the gift of foodborne illness, use these resources from the USDA to prepare holidays meals safely.
- Countdown to the Thanksgiving Holiday
- The Big Thaw - Safe Defrosting Methods
- Leftovers and Food Safety
- Kitchen Thermometers
- Safe Temperature Chart
- Cooking for Groups
- Deep Fat Frying
- Slow Cookers and Food Safety
- Washing Food: Does it Promote Food Safety?
- The Color of Meat and Poultry
Tips for Holiday Foods
Learn about handling holiday foods safely. These tips apply every day for handling any food.
- Holiday foods: Heeding the labels on food gifts
- Holiday foods: Homemade and mail order gifts are welcome
- Holiday foods: Tips on storage and shelf life
Easter Food Safety Resources
- Salmonella and Eggs
- Shell Eggs from Farm to Table
- Protect Yourself from Food Allergies
- Keeping Backyard Poultry
- Can You Freeze Eggs?
- What You Need to Know About Egg Safety
Food Pantries and Food Banks
While food pantries and food banks operate year around, they become especially important during the holidays. Food safety is important to give safe food to their consumers. Learn more from the resources below.
- Food Safety in Blessing Boxes - North Central Region Food Safety Network
- Donating Safe and Nutritious Food to Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens - Kansas State University
- Keep it Fresh & Healthy: Safe Produce for Food Pantries - Michigan State University
- Food Pantries and Food Banks - North Carolina State University
- Food Safety for Food Pantry Donations - University of Maine
- Safe Produce for Food Pantries - University of Wisconsin
- Growing Together: Food Safety in Donation Gardens
- Top 13 Vegetables to Donate to Food Pantries
How to Evaluate Cans of Food for Safety