Letting Go of Condiments (and Why It’s Okay)
After the recent hurricane, many of us in Burke County have faced days without power or water, and for some, even the loss of homes and loved ones. My heart goes out to those still dealing with these hardships. During times like this, when the struggle feels overwhelming, even something as small as deciding what food to keep can feel like a heavy burden.
Personally, I discovered that I have a surprising attachment to condiments. Letting go of that nearly-empty bottle of mustard felt like parting with an old friend. But when it comes to keeping our food safe, we’ve got to follow a few important steps.
Refrigerator: Keep the door closed—food will stay safe for up to 4 hours.
Freezer: A full freezer keeps food safe for 48 hours; a half-full freezer, for 24 hours.
Coolers: After 4 hours without power, move perishables to a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs to keep them at 40°F or below.
And remember—never taste food to see if it’s safe. If you’re unsure, toss it. Perishable items like meat, fish, eggs, cut fruits, veggies, and milk need to be thrown out after 4 hours without power. If anything smells, looks, or feels off, it’s time to let it go.
If you’ve experienced food loss, we’ve got local resources to help you replenish without adding to your financial burden. Several pickup locations across Burke County are offering food and water distribution, including George Hildebran Fire/Rescue, Longtown Fire Department, Enola Fire Department, Brendletown Fire/Rescue-Station 1, Jonas Ridge Fire Department, and the Foothills Higher Education Center. Pickup is scheduled from 8 am until 8 pm daily or until supplies run out.
Feel free to visit these sites and pick up what you need—there’s no shame in it. Let others be a blessing to you during this time of recovery. Whether it’s restocking your fridge with essentials or even finding a few replacement condiments (I won’t judge!), you deserve to get back on your feet. When you’re able, you can always give back to your community.
For more food safety tips, visit the NC State Extension Disaster Information Center and UDSA - Hurricane Helene
Stay strong, Burke County! We’ve got this.
