Food Safety AlGrove selects only the freshest, most flavorful, high quality produce to carry our name. In order to ensure that our products continue to meet those standards in your home and on your table, we ask our customers to store and prepare their produce using safe practices. Storage Buy produce often and use soon after purchase to ensure freshness. Separate fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator, and store in crisper drawers. Washed, cut produce should be stored in plastic bags or containers and used within a day. Many fruits, including apples, bananas, and oranges, can be stored on the counter, at room temperature. Eat soon after purchase, and check frequently to avoid spoiling. Tomatoes are best stored at room temperature to preserve flavor and texture. Berries should be rinsed just before eating, not before refrigeration, to avoid mold growth.   Cleaning Wash your hands and all cooking and prep surfaces with hot soapy water before handling produce. Rinse all produce in cool running water before trimming and cooking. Use a veggie brush to remove any dirt. Trim off any damaged or bruised areas. Replace soft-surface cutting boards periodically, as bacteria can grow in the cracks.   Cooking Keep meats separate from vegetables to avoid possible contamination. Meats should be prepared on a separate cutting board or surface, using separate utensils. Defrost food in the refrigerator, and don’t let sit out more than 30 minutes before cooking. Cook any dish containing meat to 160 degrees and cover to make sure all areas are completely heated. Leftovers should be heated to 160 degrees; soups should cook until boiling.