Coming Your Way: Sunny, Sweet, Safe Cantaloupe from California
It’s cantaloupe harvest time in the southern most growing areas of California and, like everyone in the world, farmers are dealing with COVID-19 and how to prevent its spread. For the growers of our favorite summer fruit, protecting essential workers who harvest and pack cantaloupe is their primary concern.
Fortunately, California cantaloupe farmers are used to taking extra precautions when it comes to health and human hygiene on their farms. Since 2012, all California cantaloupe growers have been part of a mandatory food safety program that includes regular government audits to make sure proper food safety practices are taking place in the fields. This means there must be adequate handwashing facilities for workers, regular sanitization of equipment and strict requirements about when and how workers take breaks and eat their meals on farms.
Cantaloupe farmers are subjected to mandatory government audits of their farms, packing and cooling operations to make sure they’re in full compliance with over 200 different food safety checkpoints. These government audits are being conducted during the pandemic, so you can be sure California cantaloupe are being grown to the highest safety standards.
In the current COVID-19 environment, safety practices have been stepped up to an even higher level and farmers are taking extra precautions to ensure workers are protected. Social distancing is in place for cantaloupe harvest activities. Most California cantaloupe is harvested and packed in the field on large machines that span across multiple rows of cantaloupe plants. Conveniently, these rows are spaced more than 6 feet apart, which means workers who pick cantaloupe are able to maintain social distancing with only a few minor adjustments. Farmers must also take care to ensure spacing is maintained during breaks.
Additionally, daily safety meetings are taking place among work crews. Employers are regularly checking workers for signs of illness. Enhanced paid sick leave policies are in place and people who show any signs of illness are not allowed to work. Many workers already wear face coverings to protect them from the hot sun, but this practice is being encouraged and, as is always the case, gloves used by workers are sanitized or replaced daily.
The importance of protecting workers for California’s many produce crops cannot be overstated and, fortunately, resources (like this one provided by the Fresno County Department of Health) are available to provide advice, guidance and support for workers who are such an integral part of the nation’s food supply chain.
And what about the safety of cantaloupe in your stores? Fresh, new crop California cantaloupe will be arriving in your local produce department very soon. The first thing you should know is that health experts have been very clear that COVID-19 is not spread through food. Some people are feeling more comfortable buying fresh produce in packages or bags, but you will still see bulk produce displays in your stores and these products are safe to consume.
Cantaloupe actually comes protected by a natural package in the form a thick rind that surrounds the sweet flesh inside. But, beware! It’s very important to wash the outside of your cantaloupe before slicing and eating. This is always recommended and is a safe and healthy practice. Here’s how:
Start by washing your hands. Rinse the outside of the cantaloupe with cool, running water and use a scrub brush to make sure the rough rind is as clean as possible. Thoroughly wash knives and cutting boards. This will make sure the cantaloupe does no come into contact with bacteria from other foods. Now you’re ready to slice and eat.
A video demonstrating how to wash cantaloupe can be found here. And check out our other videos on how to store and slice cantaloupe here.
We’re all ready for summer and the wide array of healthy fruits and vegetables it brings with it. Nothing says summer like sunny, sweet and safe cantaloupe from California. Never fear – it’s on its way to you now!
