Thanksgiving Preparation Tips

Media Release

November 18, 2008

Contact: Joanne Littlefield
Front Range Regional Communications Coordinator
Phone: (970) 491-4640
Joanne.Littlefield@colostate.edu

(Fort Collins, Colo.) Thanksgiving is a special time for socializing and celebrating with family and friends. As the holiday season approaches, remember the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline as an available resource. While the local Extension office will be closed for the holiday Thanksgiving Day, hours of operation for the hotline on Thanksgiving Day are 6:00 a.m. to noon local time.

The toll-free number for the hearing impaired (TTY) is 1-800-256-7072. Listen to holiday food safety tips online at: www.iftfoodfacts.org. Consumers can speak to a food safety specialist in either English or Spanish, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local on weekdays year-round.

FSIS Seasonal Feature - Fall, Winter and Holiday Resources

The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA features a Web site which offers food safety education resources by season and holiday. Fact Sheets are available with information on the usual "turkey" selections as well as information about mailing foods safely, cooking for groups, and roasting "other" holiday meats, including turducken. Several of the articles are available in Spanish as well as English. To access the articles check out the following website: www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Seasonal_Food_Safety_Fact_Sheets/index.asp.

Thanksgiving Preparation Tips

National Turkey Federation:

Seasonal and Holiday Ideas:
Chef Cooking Demonstration Video Clips: www.eatturkey.com/foodsrv/celebrty/main.htm

University of Nebraska:

Colorado State University Extension Fact Sheets: