Effective safe food training is the most important step for protecting student wellness. As a certified food protection manager on the front lines, your role is more critical than ever, with many schools now offering breakfast, lunch, and after-school meals. A focused review of food safety is the best way to prepare for a healthy and successful school year.
Your Back-to-School Safe Food Training Checklist
Before the school year kicks into high gear, it’s the perfect time for a thorough review of your facilities and procedures. A simple checklist helps you avoid overlooking details.
1. Start with a Comprehensive Deep Clean
A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen. After a quieter summer, certified food protection managers must oversee a thorough sanitation of all food service areas before the first food delivery arrives. This provides easier access to storage and hard-to-reach places. Pay special attention to these hidden breeding grounds for bacteria:
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- Floor Drains: Moisture and food particles can accumulate in drains, creating an ideal environment for pathogens like Listeria. Use an approved drain sanitizer regularly.
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- Behind and Under Equipment: Daily cleaning often misses the areas behind ice machines, ovens, and counters. To thoroughly clean and sanitize floors and walls, pull equipment away from the walls.
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- Dry Storage Areas: Shelving for dishes and food products can collect dust and debris. Wipe down all shelving and storage containers to prevent contaminants from falling onto clean dishes or into food.
2. Review Critical Food Handling Procedures
Serving hundreds of students safely requires constant vigilance. A pre-service team meeting is the perfect setting to reinforce these core food safety principles that all school cafeteria workers must master.
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- Master Temperature Control: The temperature “danger zone” (between 41°F and 135°F) is where bacteria multiply at the fastest rate. Hot foods must be held at or above 135°F, and cold foods must be kept at or below 41°F. Remind staff to check holding temperatures using a calibrated thermometer frequently. When reheating food, ensure it passes through the danger zone as quickly as possible to prevent bacterial growth.
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- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Use separate cutting boards, utensils, and gloves for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. This simple but critical step prevents the transfer of harmful bacteria from one food item to another.
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- Uphold No-Bare-Hand Contact: This is a non-negotiable rule in the food service industry. All ready-to-eat foods must be handled with single-use gloves, tongs, scoops, or deli tissue. Ensure these utensils are clean, in good condition, and are readily available at all workstations.
3. Reinforce Staff Hygiene and Wellness Policies
Healthy people staff the healthiest kitchens. Food safety extends to personal practices, so it’s crucial to review your team’s role in preventing the spread of illness.
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- Champion Proper Handwashing: Gloves are not a substitute for clean hands. Review the proper handwashing technique—using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds—before starting work, after handling raw meat, after using the restroom, and before putting on new gloves.
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- Enforce an Employee Health Policy: Staff must understand the importance of reporting symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, to a manager. Establish a clear policy that outlines when an employee must stay home from work to prevent the potential spread of an outbreak.
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- Maintain Professional Appearance: Clean uniforms, properly restrained hair, and minimal jewelry are not just about looks—they are vital for preventing physical contaminants from ending up in food.
Are You and Your Team Certified and Ready?
These procedures are central to any professional food safety program. Whether you’re a certified food protection manager or a key part of the cafeteria staff, ensuring that you and every team member hold a valid food safety certification protects your students, your colleagues, and the school’s reputation.
If you or your employees need certification, contact us to learn about our instructor-led safe food training options in Minnesota. We can get you and your team certified and ready to serve safely.
