Oct 2, 2013 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – To help organizations provide safe food, Penn State Extension, in partnership with the Town and Country Garden Club of Rices Landing, is offering a workshop, “Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer’s Guide to Safe Food Handling,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Greene County Extension Office, 26 West High Street, Waynesburg,

The cost of the workshop is $35 per organization for up to five participants and an additional $5 for each additional participant from the same group. Organizations will receive a food safety manual, posters and thermometers. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Participants in this workshop will learn up-to-date methods for safely handling and preparing food for large groups. The workshop is appropriate for non-profit food providers such as churches, fire companies, schools and civic groups.

The workshop, which will be conducted by Dori Campbell from Penn State Extension, will use a variety of lecture, discussion and activities on food safety topics ,such as how food becomes unsafe, preparation practices to keep food safe and purchasing and storage of food and supplies.

Participants will learn recommended methods for taking food temperatures and how to calibrate a thermometer for accuracy. Other topics to be discussed will include holding hot and cold foods, safe thawing and reheating practices, handling leftovers, personal hygiene practices and how-to of cleaning and sanitizing.

Those interested in attending are asked to register before Oct. 11 by contacting Penn State Extension in Greene County at 724-627-3745.