Tools for the Food Service Program

Tools for the Food Service Program

Menu Development

Food Safety

Food Handler Training and Certifications

  • The Washington Restaurant Association offers ServSafe Food Handler and Manager Certifications. Their training programs deliver consistent food safety training to employees in five key areas: Basic Food Safety; Personal Hygiene; Cross-contamination & Allergens; Time & Temperature; Cleaning & Sanitation. A manager-level certification not only provides advanced food safety knowledge, it also helps food service establishments comply with the Demonstration of Knowledge and Person in Charge (PIC) requirements of the Washington State Food Code, and includes some allergen training. The Advanced Food Safety Certificate is valid for five years.
  • Washington State Health Department offers the convenience of online food worker training and testing at www.foodworkercard.wa.gov for all staff and volunteers who handle food. Allow about one hour to complete the process. The training and test are offered in English, Cambodian, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and Closed Caption.

Handling Fresh Produce in Schools

Food Service Staff Training

  • Cook for America, LLC, offers 5-day “Culinary Boot Camps” which aim to raise the skills and self-respect of school food service personnel with a comprehensive culinary training program.
  • Creative Culinary Solutions for School Food Service – Kent Getzin, chef and former Food Service Director for Wenatchee School District, now consults with school food service programs working to improve the quality of school meals, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
  • Picture20Garrett Berdan is a chef and registered dietician nutritionist who offers training to school food professionals with a focus on flavor, health, plate presentation, and marketing.
  • Healthy Food Choices in Schools Webinar Series Courses – Free online courses for food service professionals with a focus on encouraging students to eat healthy foods. School Nutrition Association members can receive 1 CEU per course upon satisfactory completion.
  • Lunch Lessons, LLC, leads school food service programs through the steps of transforming meal programs to scratch cooking with fresh, sustainably grown, locally sourced ingredients beginning with a detailed assessment and strategic planning for accomplishing districts’ goals.
  • School Food Institute offers online courses presented by Chef Ann Cooper for school food service staff to develop operational skills and strategies to prepare scratch-cooked school meals.

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