Summer produce deserves its moment in the sun, especially when it’s so fleeting here in Jackson Hole. This is the season for salads piled high with crisp greens, irresistibly juicy tomatoes and berries eaten straight from the basket. Seasonal produce makes even the simplest dinner feel special.
A current Cyclospora outbreak is a reminder to add a few smart food-safety habits to the recipe. However, it is not a reason to skip the produce aisle or pass up locally grown vegetables. Thankfully, no locally grown produce has been identified as a source of the outbreak.
“Locally grown produce has not been identified by the FDA as the cause of this outbreak and is very unlikely to contain nationally spread foodborne illnesses,” said Ryan Hannan, environmental health manager for Teton County Public Health. Still, Hannan recommends washing your hands and produce, no matter where you shop.
What to Know About Cyclospora
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause intestinal illness. People can become infected after consuming contaminated food or water.
The Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate the current outbreak. As of July 20, no specific producer or product had been confirmed as its source. That uncertainty makes good food-safety habits especially important. However, for those without complicating health factors, it is not a reason to avoid fresh produce altogether.
Most importantly for Jackson Hole shoppers, no locally grown produce has been connected to the outbreak. (Hello, Farmers Market!)
Wash First, Then Dig In
Begin by washing your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food.
Next, rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under clean running water. Do this even when the package says the produce is prewashed. Produce should also be rinsed before peeling. This helps prevent a knife from carrying contaminants from the surface to the inside.
Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce such as cucumbers, melons, carrots and potatoes. Running water is enough. The FDA does not recommend washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent or commercial produce wash.
When choosing produce, look for items that are fresh and undamaged. Once home, careful washing can help reduce the risk of Cyclospora and other contaminants.
For lettuce, Hannan suggests choosing whole heads when possible. Remove and discard the outer two or three layers. Then, separate and rinse the inner leaves before serving them. These steps cannot guarantee the removal of every Cyclospora parasite, but they can reduce risk while also removing soil and other contaminants.
Know What Heat Can Do
Cooking veggies offers the strongest protection. Hannan recommends heating produce to at least 158 F, a temperature Cyclospora cannot survive.
Of course, many of summer’s best ingredients are usually eaten raw. Few people want to cook the lettuce in a chopped salad or heat the cucumber destined for a picnic spread. For those foods, careful washing remains the most practical step.
Unfortunately, freezing is not a reliable solution. Standard household freezers do not become cold enough to kill Cyclospora, he said.
Pickling or fermentation should not be treated as a safeguard, either, according to Hannan. He said that research has not confirmed that home pickling kills the parasite, which can resist acidic environments.
Easy Solution? Fill Your Basket Locally
Anyone looking for peak-season ingredients has plenty of ways to shop close to home.
The Jackson Hole Farmers Market takes over Town Square from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Sept. 26. Shoppers can also visit the market at Teton Village Commons from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 20.
Both markets make it easy to meet regional growers, ask questions and bring home produce harvested close to home.
Silver Stream Farm offers another local option. The western Wyoming greenhouse operation grows produce at high elevation and offers weekly subscription boxes in several sizes. Customers can also shop à la carte. Pickup locations include Jackson, Wilson, Bondurant, Pinedale and Big Piney.
Just remember that local sourcing does not replace proper washing. However, it offers a short, transparent path between the farm and your kitchen.
One More Tool When Dining Out
Teton County also makes restaurant inspection reports easy to find. Diners can scan the QR code posted inside local restaurants to access recent reports.
“Inspection reports have always been available to the public, and our QR code is an easy way for people in our community to access recent inspection reports of their favorite dining locations,” Hannan said.
With a few sensible precautions, there is no need to let Cyclospora steal summer produce’s spotlight. Wash carefully, shop locally and keep enjoying the dishes that make this season so delicious.
