2009 PRESS RELEASES
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January 30, 2009
A TO DO LIST FOR FEBRUARY
By Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686
I doubt that the month of February would win many popularity contests. The days are short, the weather is challenging and sunshine is at a premium. But here at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or VDACS, we have a few suggestions for ways to help you put a bright and positive spin on February’s sometimes dreary days.
As VDACS’ Commissioner, I am constantly amazed at the diversity of this agency. Whether you are looking for Valentine gift suggestions, tips on food safety during winter emergencies, advice about joining a health spa, the real deal with quick tax refunds or signing up for fresh produce, VDACS is your go-to resource. Let me show you what I mean with this To Do or Get Ready To Do list.
This year’s Valentine’s Day celebration should be very special because February 14 lands on Saturday. You can’t blame the weekday rush for a poor showing. This is the year to go for the best of the best when choosing a gift. You can rely on Virginia’s Finest, a high quality-based trademark program created twenty years ago by the VDACS Division of Marketing to identify and promote Virginia’s outstanding agricultural products. In fact, you’ll be hearing much more in future columns about Virginia’s Finest as we celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary throughout 2009.
Whether you are looking for the traditional candy and flowers, creating an entire gourmet meal or going for something a little different for your Valentine, you can’t go wrong with Virginia’s Finest products. The extensive array includes delectable desserts, tasty snacks, fine beverages, fresh produce, flavorful meats, confections and condiments, all sure to please the most discerning palate.
Valentine’s Day offers a welcome break but frigid temperatures and unpredictable weather set the pace for February. An ice storm or heavy snows can leave you without power resulting in serious food safety problems unless you take proper precautions. VDACS’ Division of Animal and Food Industry Services advises that if you are without electricity, keep your freezer and refrigerator doors closed to retain as much cold air as possible. When completely full, a freezer should maintain freezing temperatures for about two days; a half-full freezer, about one day. Refrigerated items should be safe as long as power is out for no more than four hours.
Frozen foods that are partially thawed may be safely re-frozen if they still contain ice crystals or are 40° Fahrenheit or below. Check each item carefully using a probe cooking thermometer to determine the internal temperature. Discard any perishable foods (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) which have been above 40° Fahrenheit for two hours or more. Also discard any food that has an unusual odor, color, texture or feels warm to the touch. When it comes to food safety, there is one basic rule to follow under every circumstance: when in doubt, throw it out.
February’s inhospitable weather makes it difficult to go outdoors to get the exercise we need so lots of people head to the gym instead. If you are thinking about joining a gym or health spa, the VDACS Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) has some tips on how to choose the right one. Be sure to tour the spa before you join and ask questions of both staff and members to get a feel for the level of expertise and enthusiasm. Check out the facilities and equipment at the time of day you would normally use them. If a free trial period is offered, consider taking advantage of it.
Compare several spas, facilities and fees before you make a decision. Check with VDACS to be sure the health club is registered with OCA as required by law. Don’t sign a health spa contract until you understand all the terms, including the buyer’s right to cancel, and you are sure the contract includes everything you may have been promised verbally. Keep a copy of the contract.
OCA’s expertise covers myriad consumer issues and includes some good advice about another subject of particular interest right now. With year-end records and receipts in hand, a lot of people tackle their taxes in February because the sooner they file, the sooner they will receive their refunds. However, OCA warns that in some instances, a quick refund can actually cost you money.
A number of tax preparers sometimes offer to have refund checks ready in a matter of days or even hours. What consumers may not realize is that the money paid out so quickly is usually not from their tax refund. Instead it is a high interest loan with payments secured by and repaid from an anticipated income tax refund. Interest on these loans may be very high, and can constitute a substantial part of the expected refund. OCA advises that before taxpayers opt for a super speedy refund, they determine what the actual cost will be.
If it’s February, can spring be far behind? Well, actually yes. We have to wait until March 20 for the official start of the spring season but in the meantime you can enjoy planning ahead for the warm and wonderful days to come. VDACS’ Division of Marketing offers two suggestions for ways to get a jump on spring.
One is to sign up for a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, now while there are still openings. In a CSA, a group of individuals provides financial backing and perhaps some labor as well to support a farm operation for a year. In return, each member of the group receives a share of the farm’s output during the growing season. Of course the harvest may be affected by weather or other conditions but subscribers can usually expect to receive wide variety of fresh, delicious traditional, specialty, heirloom or even certified organic crops grown by CSA farmers. VDACS has compiled a list of CSAs; click here for a list of Community Supported Farms.
Here’s another good idea from the Division of Marketing. VDACS has updated the online list of food festivals and celebrations that take place across the Commonwealth every year. Grab a map and a calendar and start penciling in your favorites from maple festivals in March to oyster roasts in November. Whatever your favorite Virginia food or flavor, there is probably a special event to celebrate it. Click here to find the complete list.
For additional information, contact the VDACS Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free in Virginia at 800.552.9963 or in Richmond at 786.2042.
Here’s one more heartening observation about February. It’s only 28 days long.