It's Food Safety Education month

During National Food Safety Education Month in September, keep food safe and your grocery bill in check with food storage advice from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods' public awareness campaign: Home Food Safety.

"How you store food can keep it safe and fresh longer, reducing not only your risk of food poisoning, but also food waste and ultimately your grocery bill," says Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Approximately 31 percent of all edible food is wasted in the U.S., and American households throw away about 19 percent of vegetables and 14 percent of the fruit they buy.

"A lot of good food goes bad before we get to enjoy it. So before you head to the store, shop in your refrigerator first," Moore says. "Cook or eat what you already have at home before buying more, but make sure to check the label or shelf life to ensure it is okay to eat."

Much food waste is due to improper storage and misreading labels, according to Moore, who offers tips to help foods last longer and reduce the amount of food wasted.

Proper Storage: "Use a refrigerator thermometer to ensure your refrigerator or freezer isn't running a fever," Moore says. Store perishable foods at or below 40°F in the refrigerator and at or below 0°F in the freezer.

Store produce properly to extend freshness. "Some fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator and others at room temperature, while some should not be stored together." Check out the accompanying Produce Storage infographic to learn more.

Reading Labels: "You can also dramatically reduce food waste in your home by knowing what the date labeling terms on the package mean to avoid throwing out food that is still OK to eat," she says. More than 90 percent of Americans may be prematurely tossing food because they misinterpret food labels according to Moore, who highlighted these key terms to look for:

• The "sell by" date tells the store the last day they should sell that specific package. "Buy the product before the 'sell by' date passes and cook or freeze the product before it expires - check the time on the Keep It Cool Storage Chart or download the Is My Food Safe? app for a list of the shelf life of common foods."
• The "best if used by" date is the recommended date for best flavor or quality.
• The "use by" date is the last date recommended for use of the product at peak quality. "Remember, you can't always tell if food has gone bad by how it looks, smells or even tastes. So if a product has a 'use by' date, definitely follow that date," Moore says.

Moore also adds that if the "use by" date is approaching, there is no need to force yourself to eat it all to avoid waste. Freeze surplus food, such as abundant seasonal produce or meats to extend its shelf life. "You can even get creative, such as freezing soon-to-expire yogurt in ice trays to later blend with fruit for a smoothie," says Moore, who highlights this technique on The Cutting Board blog.

"While it's important to reduce food waste for both the environment and our wallets, remember: When in doubt, throw it out!"

For more tips on safe food storage, read Produce from Purchase to Plate: Steps to Reduce Food Waste or see the infographic Read Food Labels to Reduce Food Waste.

Diocese halts Fulton Sheen canonization effort indefinitely

Efforts to have Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen canonized a saint have been suspended indefinitely, the Peoria Diocese announced Wednesday.

In a news release issued late Wednesday afternoon, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky attributed the delay to a decision by the Archdiocese of New York to deny his request to move Sheen’s body to Peoria for official inspection and retrieval of first class relics.

“The process to verify a possible miracle attributed to Sheen had been going extremely well, and only awaited a vote of the Cardinals and the approval of the Holy Father. There was every indication that a possible date for beatification in Peoria would have been scheduled for as early as the coming year,” the news release said.

“The Holy See expected that the remains of Venerable Sheen would be moved to Peoria where official inspection would be made and first class relics be taken. Subsequently, the Archdiocese of New York denied Bishop Jenky’s request to move the body to Peoria. After further discussion with Rome, it was decided that the Sheen Cause would now have to be relegated to the Congregation’s historic archive,” it said.

“Countless supporters, especially from the local church in central Illinois, have given their time, treasure and talent for this good work with the clear understanding that the body of Venerable Sheen would return to the Diocese. Bishop Jenky was personally assured on several occasions by the Archdiocese of New York that the transfer of the body would take place at the appropriate time. New York’s change of mind took place as the work on behalf of the Cause had reached a significant stage,” the news release said.

The Peoria diocese and the Sheen Foundation have been working on the Sheen Cause for 12 years. It had reached the stage where a miracle attributed to Sheen  ̶  a newborn being given life after being technically deceased  ̶  had been declared valid. Beatification was only two steps away, approval from the College of Cardinals and then from Pope Francis.

“The Bishop is heartbroken not only for his flock in Peoria but also for the many supporters of the Sheen Cause from throughout the world who have so generously supported Peoria’s efforts,” the diocese said. “It should be noted, however, that saints are always made by God, not by man. Efforts for many causes have sometimes taken decades or even centuries. Bishop Jenky urges that those who support the Sheen Cause continue their prayers that God’s will be made manifest.”

Diocese confirms promises were broken regarding Sheen Cause

Promises made 12 years ago by the Archdiocese of New York prompted Bishop Daniel Jenky to begin pursuing sainthood for Archibishop Fulton Sheen, the central Illinois native who was ordained in Peoria.

It was an apparent reneging of those promises that prompted Jenky to suspend the Bishop Sheen Cause this week, said the Peoria Diocese in a news release Friday issued to clarify what was behind the suspension.

The attorney for the Archdiocese of New York said in a letter to Jenky received in late June that it “would never allow the examination of the body, the securing of relics or the transfer of the body” to Peoria, as had been promised by Cardinal Egan of New York in September 2002.

“Upon receiving this shocking statement and consulting with advisors to the Sheen Cause, Bishop Jenky believed that he had no choice but to stop his efforts and suspend the Cause,” the news release said. It added, however, that Jenky continues to hope the promises ultimately will be honored.

Patricia Gibson, chancellor or the Peoria Diocese, said in the release that Jenky only agreed to pursue canonization for Sheen after he was assured by Cardinal Egan that the Archdiocese of New York, where Sheen served his final years, had no interest in doing so. Cardinal Egan, she said, also indicated that at the appropriate time he would facilitate the transfer of the body to Peoria. In December 2004, Cardinal Egan again confirmed at a meeting in New York with Bishop Jenky that he continued to support the efforts of the Cause and reassured him that he would work to transfer the body at the appropriate time to be enshrined in the Peoria Cathedral.”

Now is that time, with a miracle attributed to Sheen and approval for beatification awaiting only the College of Cardinals and, ultimately, Pope Francis, Gibson said.

“It is essential to realize that Bishop Jenky now feels a great responsibility to be faithful to the thousands of supporters throughout Central Illinois, the nation and the world, in regard to the status of the cause. From the beginning, Bishop Jenky sought assurances that New York did not want to undertake the Cause and would support Peoria’s efforts. This assurance was given before the process ever began. Bishop Jenky also confirmed that at the appropriate time Fulton Sheen’s body would be transferred to his boyhood home and be placed in a shrine in St. Mary’s Cathedral where he was ordained.” Gibson said.

“Over the last 12 years, countless people have offered their time and financial support for these efforts in order not only to spread the word about Fulton Sheen’s virtues and holiness but also to prepare a shrine in Peoria upon his beatification. After New York clearly turned down the Cause, Peoria was happy to put forth the lengthy work and effort because of how much he is loved by the priests and lay faithful in this Diocese,” she said.

The release said the Peoria Diocese has heard from several of Sheen’s relatives wanting Jenky to continue pursing the transfer of Sheen’s remains to Peoria.  

“The actions taken by Bishop Jenky this week reflect his strong desire to be true to the countless supporters of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Cause who for over 12 years have labored and supported bringing the message of Fulton Sheen and his sanctity to the world. Bishop Jenky continues to hope that the promises made 12 years ago will be honored,” Gibson said.

Daly named to lead regional economic development

Jennifer Daly, CEO of the Morton Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council for the past six years, will become chief executive office of the Economic Development Council of Central Illinois.

She will begin her new duties Nov. 3, heading up an office that oversees economic development for a five-county central Illinois region, according to an announcement Wednesday by the EDC of Central Illinois and Focus Forward Central Illinois.

The release did not say how many others were considered for the position.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve in this regional role,” said Daly in the news release.  “Over the past few years I have had the privilege to work hand-in-hand with a wide variety of business professionals, community leaders, and economic development colleagues on the development of a strategy for the betterment of our five county region.  It will be exciting to have a leadership role in the implementation of this strategy.”

Daly is a graduate of the University of Iowa and came to Morton after seven years as executive director of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance in Iowa.

During her tenure in Morton, the village has become more active in business development, including internationally, and has attracted 38 new businesses and helped 24 other businesses to expand. About 800 jobs have been created in Morton in that time and the village property tax revenues have grown by over $700,000 a year.

In addition to over thirteen years of economic and community development experience, Daly has worked in non-profit management, marketing, and fundraising.

Daly has completed the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management.  She is a board member for the Mid-America Economic Development Council and the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Daly will head an EDC staff that includes long time employee Sally Hanley. Daly and Hanley have been actively involved the past two years on FFCI’s Technical Work Group, a regional group of local economic development professionals.

“We are pleased and excited to have Jennifer come on board to lead the economic development efforts in the region” said EDC Board Chairman Bill Blessman in the news release. “She has a proven record of development accomplishments, and she has demonstrated the ability to build partnerships with both the private and public sectors to foster economic growth.”

“FFCI is thrilled Jennifer Daly will be at the helm of the EDC,” said Diana Hall, chairman of FFCI. “Jennifer demonstrated her passion for working on FFCI’s initiatives through her work on our Technical Working Group. We are confident she will use her new position as a platform for harnessing the input from the thousands of volunteers who support FFCI’s mission.”