Food Safety Resource for School Foodservice Professionals

Take action to increase food safety in schools

Each year, millions of meals are served to students in schools across the U.S. With so many students to feed, the potential for food safety violations or infractions is high.

Foodservice Staff are the school authority on safe food handling.

School nutrition directors and foodservice staff are the school authority on safe food handling and the first line of defense in planning, preparation and serving safe meals. Adhering to the FDA Food Code and following best practices for food safety are essential requirements for any foodservice operation. School foodservice managers can also use their expertise to spread the food safety message beyond the cafeteria. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages schools to create a ‘Culture of Food Safety’ so food safety behaviors are consistently practiced and become second nature to your school and community.1 In its “Food-Safe Schools Action Guide,” the USDA recommends that nutrition directors follow these steps:

  • Review their schools' current food safety initiatives
  • Implement school food safety programs to meet food safety requirements necessary
  • Communicate food safety messages with the wider school community, including staff, students, and their families.2

For more Food Safety Resource Tips for School Foodservice Professionals, download our helpful resource:

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