National Produce Misting Day on October 2nd recognizes the innovation of keeping fruits and vegetables fresh. Misted fingertips rest assured that produce remains crisp, plump, hydrated and nutrient-dense.
Given a choice between fresh and tired produce, we choose fresh every time. After all, who wants dried-out veggies.
Before automatic misting systems, grocers threw away too much dated product. No one likes to waste food, especially those in the business. As a solution, grocers soaked burlap potato sacks in water. At night, they laid them over their stock. The wet sacks prevented the fruits and vegetables from drying out. They even applied this technique to cheeses. While this nightly task worked, it was labor-intensive. There had to be a better way.
Eventually, there was. In 1979, along came an invention or two that changed how we get our fresh food. Automatic produce misting systems revolutionized the grocery world. While these systems extended the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, it also increased the variety of foods available.
Before, exotic food shipped in refrigerated trucks, but the time for distance traveled dramatically reduced their shelf life. Now, exotic foods stood a chance with the help of hydration. Customers no longer wait for vacation to savor a favorite delicacy. Amazingly, shoppers ask grocers to order foreign ingredients to make exotic dishes fresh in their homes.
Today, these technologies make shopping for delicious and nutritious food easy. It also improves accessibility here and around the world.
HOW TO OBSERVE #ProduceMistingDay
Get your fingers misted! Pick out your favorite fresh produce or try something new. Don’t hesitate to test that recipe you’ve been thinking about. Your grocer probably stocks the exotic vegetable you need, thanks to produce misting technology. Your recipe is now possible!
When you’re shopping, be sure to notice when the misters start working. Tell someone that it’s #ProduceMistingDay. Share your favorite fresh recipes by using #ProduceMistingDay on social media. Don’t forget to give a shout out to your local grocer for misting your fingers and having delicious, fresh product.
NATIONAL PRODUCE MISTING DAY HISTORY
Corrigan Corporation of America founded National Produce Misting Day in 2018 to share the fascinating history behind the inventive engineering that brings fresh produce to our local stores. They honor and celebrate Jack Corrigan, who is credited with establishing the first patents for automatic produce misting systems back in 1979 and his son Mike Corrigan, for having the vision to bring it to market.
As the owner of the Carrot Top produce market, Jack Corrigan also had a civil engineering background. Out of necessity, he combined his two interests and set to work. Corrigan’s inventions led to the development of innovative tools and a market-leading manufacturing company.
The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the first National Produce Misting Day in 2019 to be observed on October 2nd annually.
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