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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley news Volume XXIV Issue X June 1, 2017 UDOT Region One Road Construction Report The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) advises motorists of the following road construction and maintenance activities that may cause traffic impacts in the state’s Northern Region. Ogden - Ogden City is installing a pipeline across Wall Avenue (SR-204) at 9th St. Eastbound and westbound 9th St. will be closed at this point, and lanes on Wall Ave. will be closed northbound from 7 p.m. to as late as 10 p.m. Monday thru Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday; and southbound from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. This work is preparatory to a repaving project that will occur on Wall Ave. at the end of the month from US-89 in Harrisville to Riverdale Road in S. Ogden. Seasonal Alpine Roadway Openings Monte Cristo - The Monte Cristo Highway— from milepost 37 near Ant Flats east of Huntsville to milepost 56 west of Woodruff, Rich County— is now open to all traffic for the summer, and will remain in service until November. Please note that work may be rescheduled at any time due to inclement weather, supply issues or equipment availability. For up to date traffic information visit the UDOT Traffic website at http://udottraffic.utah.gov or download the free UDOT Traffic app for iPhones and Android Smartphones. Food Waste is Money Down the Drain By Nathaniel Sillin How many times have you gone to pour milk in your coffee, only to see that the date on the carton was yesterday? Some people will instinctively throw it away, but chances are that’s not what the label is intended to convey. It’s likely a marker for when the food might taste its best, not if it’s safe to eat. By some estimates, as many as 91 percent of consumers may misinterpret food date labels. It’s no surprise as there are dozens of different labels in use, but the misunderstanding and lack of meal planning are contributing to a larger problem. Between 30 and 40 percent of the U.S.’s food supply winds up in the trash or a compost container. The benefits of reducing food waste are numerous. You’ll save money, which may be reason enough. You could also be lowering your carbon footprint by keeping spoiled food out of landfills and cutting down on the growing and transportation of food that doesn’t get eaten. Cutting back on this waste could start with understanding what food labels actually mean. Don’t Misinterpret Food Dates as Expiration Dates - According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), aside from those on infant formula, food label dates aren’t an indication of whether or not the food is safe to eat. For example, “best by” may mean the food will taste, look, and feel its best if it’s eaten by that date. It could still be good for days, weeks, or even months (for nonperishables) after that date. Some states do require expiration dates on milk or meat, and food labeling could become less confusing across the country. But for now, you may need to rely on your judgment. The USDA writes that if foods don’t show signs of spoilage, such as changing colors or giving off an unpleasant smell, they could still be safe and wholesome. Quick Tips for Keeping Fruits & Vegetables Fresh Longer - Regardless of the date, proper food storage can impact a food’s longevity. • Wait to wash food until you’re about to cook or eat. Otherwise, the moisture could spur bacterial growth. • Strategically store items in your refrigerator. Your food will typically last longer if you put the least perishable items on the door, meat near the bottom back (unless there’s a meat drawer), veggies in the crisper and dairy or drinks near the top. • Generally, you want to keep fruits and vegetables away from each other because many fruits produce ethylene gas and exposure to the gas could cause vegetables to spoil more quickly. There are also vegetables that produce the gas and fruits that are sensitive to it. • If you’re storing a fruit or vegetable that gives off and is susceptible to ethylene gas, wrap it in aluminum foil or store it in a paper bag rather than using less-breathable plastic wrap or bags. You can look for more tips about particular foods online. There are also apps that can automatically connect to your supermarket loyalty programs to track what you buy (or you can upload a picture of your receipt), warn you when something may be going bad and recommend recipes that incorporate those foods. Find Creative Uses for Foods That Are On Their Way Out - Whether you use an app to sync shopping lists and schedule meals or use a paper list, meal planning can help cut down on waste as well. But even with great intentions sometimes things get forgotten, or meals get pushed off until it’s almost too late. You can save vegetables from the trash by roasting them, making soup or turning them into a casserole. Carrots, potatoes and other root veggies (plus zucchinis) can be grated and fried to make fritters. You could bake fruits into breads, throw them into smoothies or freeze them for later. In the end, the goal is to use everything you buy. Bottom Line - Food waste could be draining your wallet, hurting the environment and in some cases, may be completely unnecessary. Learning to correctly interpret food labels and performing a sight and smell test before throwing something away could help. Taking the time to prepare before you shop, having a plan for how you’re going to use the food you buy and being okay with a last-minute backup plan can help even more. In the end, taking the extra time to evaluate the true condition of your food can save you money. Note: Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter <www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney>This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered health, legal, tax or financial advice. COLLISION cont. from page 1 three 15-year-old female passengers all suffered minor injuries. Two females were transported to the hospital. The 47 year old female driver of the sedan and her 17-year-old son also received injuries and were transported to the hospital. All involved are expected to make a full recovery. Traffic Investigators determined that the Forester came around the corner at a high rate of speed. The driver was cited for Reckless Driving involving an Accident. The Weber County Sheriff’s Office again wants to remind all drivers traveling the North Ogden Divide and Ogden Canyon to obey the speed limit and advisory speeds. Both roadways contain numerous areas with limited shoulders and can be very dangerous. Deputies will be conducting extra patrol for speeders on both roads. We also want to wish a speedy recovery to all those involved in the accident. Pictured above is the sedan after being pulled up from off the Divide. Photo courtesy of Weber County Sheriff’s office. |
