FLL - Food Factor: Deli Secrets for Fresh Milk

    We took a field trip to the 169 Deli Grocery in Jamaica, NY to interview the owner of the store, Mr. Perez, about his way of storing milk. The milk at the 169 Deli Grocery is stored in a closed refrigerator rather than in an open refrigerator found in large supermarkets. This way the temperature of the store (particularly during the summer months) does not affect the refrigeration temperature of the milk. In comparing the coldest of the milk carton (by touch) in another store with open refrigeration, the milk carton from a closed refrigerator seems to be colder.

            In New York State the temperature for storing milk should be 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At this deli the refrigeration temperature is kept between 32 degrees and 35 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the milk as fresh as possible. We asked the owner how many times a week the milk is delivered and he responded an astounding 3 times a week. The reason for so many deliveries is he doesn’t buy large qualities; therefore the milk is sold quickly, again guaranteeing freshness.

            We asked him if he had any tips for consumers and he recommended freezing a portion of the milk if their family doesn’t drink it up quickly. We are going to investigate that idea further.

By J.B.

FLL - Food Factor: Food Safety - Wash Your Hands!

On 11/29/11 members of the Lego Robotics Girls Team, roboGbots, taught a group of little kids, 4 and 5 year olds, from the RoboMindTech Creative Play class about food safety - why they should wash their hands before preparing food and before eating.

First, the team members played a Yo Gaba Gaba video about eating all their food. Then they asked the kids questions about why they should wash their hands before fixing food and eating. They learned that there might be different bad germs and bacteria that might be on their hands, which they cannot see. Those germs and bacteria can get in their food and when they eat it, makes them sick.

Next, they gave out LEGO Duplo bricks that were shaped like soap and had the little kids wash pretend to wash their hands in a sink made of Lego, of course! Then each kid was given a base plate to represent a plate to build his or her LEGO food on. With LEGO elements the little kids made their favorite foods like sandwiches, French fries, apples, and carrots.

The kids had so much fun while learning about the importance of personal hygiene and food safety.

- A.C.