Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer's Guide to Safe Food Handling
- Skill Level
- Beginner
- Length
- 3 hours
- Language
- English
Preparing food in large quantities is different than food preparation in the home. Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer's Guide to Safe Food Handling program helps nonprofit organizations and their volunteers understand the risks involved with preparing large volumes of food and the important food safety practices that need to be implemented to ensure a safe event.
Even if your organization has been doing this for years, things change and it is important that volunteers are up-to-date and knowledgeable about rules and regulations governing food safety. Don’t risk your customer’s health or your organization's reputation.
Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer's Guide to Safe Food Handling was developed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Penn State Extension educators and other faculty serve as instructors and are certified by the National Restaurant Association. All have received training on the most current research on food safety.
The program is geared to volunteers preparing food for events such as church fund raisers, fire company barbecues, booster club food sales and the many other types of events where food is served to the public.
Volunteers will learn the causes of foodborne illness as well as safe food handling practices related to:
- Preventing Cross Contamination
- Controlling Time and Temperature
- Good Personal Hygiene
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Planning a Successful Food Event
COVID-19 Statement
The following required Acknowledgement is presented to all invitees during registration for this event.
COVID-19 Acknowledgment for Participants in Penn State Extension Activities
You agree that as a condition, and in consideration, of your willing and voluntary participation in programs and activities ("Program") hosted by The Pennsylvania State University ("Penn State"):
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You understand that Penn State has issued rules and precautions which follow, or may in some cases exceed, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. You agree that it is your sole responsibility to follow these protocols and acknowledge that failure to do so may result in removal from the Program.
As of July 7, 2022, this guidance includes basic health, safety, and sanitation measures (staying home when sick, washing/sanitizing hands often, etc.) in addition to wearing a face mask while in healthcare facilities and certain research facilities and labs.
Per CDC guidance, Penn State may impose additional or alternative requirements, including masking at certain locations, depending on community spread at the Program's location. You agree to comply with any directive from Penn State representatives regarding masking or other mitigation measures while participating in the Program.
You must adhere to these protocols regardless of vaccination status.
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You agree you will not participate in the Program if you are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test or if you recently: (i) have been diagnosed with COVID-19; (ii) have experienced any symptom of illness which may be associated with COVID-19; or, (iii) have been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, or has exhibited any symptom of illness which may be associated with COVID-19 or any of its variants.
- If you fall into any of the above categories, you may nevertheless participate in the Program if:
- more than five days have passed since your last close contact or symptom; and,
- you have tested negative for COVID-19 on or after the five-day mark.
- If you fall into any of the above categories, you may nevertheless participate in the Program if:
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You acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and your understanding that, even with adherence to all preventative measures, including vaccination, there is risk that you may become exposed to and/or contract COVID-19. You assume any and all risk of such exposure or infection and acknowledge that it may result in personal injury, illness, severe complications, permanent disability, and/or death.
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