UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Those involved in volunteer work, preparing large quantities of food for the public, may consider attending a Penn State Extension online course, live webinar or workshop, “Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer’s Guide to Safe Food Handling.”
The program is designed to help nonprofit organizations and their volunteers understand the risks involved in preparing large volumes of food and the key food safety practices required to ensure a safe event.
Participants will learn about the safety risks that can arise when cooking large quantities of food and how to reduce them so the food they prepare is both safe and delicious.
The self-paced course provides learners with videos and short readings on preparation techniques, proper cooking, serving and refrigeration temperatures, the importance of sanitation and other relevant topics. Knowledge-check questions at the end of each section enable participants to apply what they have learned.
A live webinar option for the course is available for participants, hosted by Penn State Extension educators and other faculty who serve as instructors and are certified by the National Restaurant Association. All have received training on the latest research in food safety.
In-person workshops are offered in select locations throughout the state. Participants interested in the workshops can contact their local food safety educator for more information by calling 877-345-0691.
Participants will learn to recognize the importance of food safety training; identify potential food safety hazards; prevent cross-contamination; control time and temperature; perform good personal hygiene; properly clean and sanitize; plan a successful food event; and implement a food safety system in a nonprofit organization.
Attendees can register for the online course or live webinar for a fee of $10; registrants are strongly encouraged to purchase the Cooking for Crowds Manual.
Participants can register for the in-person workshops for a fee of $50; organizations can register groups for $75. Registration deadlines vary by event.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.
