AMES, Iowa – Iowans have a lot of questions about food, but Iowa State University Extension’s Answer Line always has answers, according to the toll-free hotline’s coordinator.

“Two-thirds of our questions relate to food,” Evelyn Beavers said, “how to buy it, cook it, store it and follow food safety practices.”

Beavers said in the past year Answer Line answered more than 19,800 calls at (800) 262-3804. Nearly 120,000 visitors found answers online; a database of Answer Line frequently asked questions and answers is available anytime on the ISU Extension Web site, www.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/. Answer Line also answered e-mail questions.

“We’ll answer just about any home or family question. We are a unique program, because when you call, you will speak to a live person and get research-based answers,” Beavers said.

About 69 percent of Answer Line’s questions deal with nutrition, food preparation, food safety and food preservation. Professional consumer and family scientists field these questions as well as questions about child development, consumer management, home environment and textiles, among other topics. The toll-free phone service has been available for 35 years.

Answer Line also is part of a national Healthy Homes initiative for Extension, and will answer consumers’ indoor air quality questions dealing with mold, radon, asbestos and general cleaning.

The Web site’s frequently asked questions allow Iowans access to information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consumers can search by keyword, browse the keyword index or select a topic area to find answers to their questions.

Calls are answered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A Relay Iowa line (phone linkage for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals) is available at 711. The toll-free hotline also is available in Minnesota at (800) 854-1678.  In addition, questions can be sent by e-mail to answer@iastate.edu.

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