Just in Time for Food Safety Education Month: New USDA Food Safety Fact Sheets!
School meals are an important source of fruits and vegetables for children. You should select and prepare fruits and vegetables safely to avoid foodborne illness. Child nutrition program operators may purchase produce from a variety of sources, including local farmers and producers, food hubs, or distributors. Produce safety is important whether produce is sourced from a large distributor or local farmer. Understanding and using produce and food safety best practices will help keep children safe.
For food safety information and best practices, including information specifically for produce, check out USDA’s five new fact sheets! These resources are designed for USDA’s partners and stakeholders, including child nutrition program operators and agricultural producers. They’re filled with useful information and provide an overview of the following topics related to food safety:
Visit the USDA FNS Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program webpage to learn more about farm to school programs and access additional farm to school resources. Visit the USDA FNS Produce Safety at FNS webpage for more about produce safety training and resources from the FNS Food Safety Team.
Be Ready to Respond!
September is National Food Safety Education Month and National Preparedness Month which are great reminders about the importance of food safety during emergencies and disasters! The USDA FNS Food Safety Emergency Response webpage can help operators prevent foodborne illness during emergencies and disasters.
