Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Penn State Extension previews webinars and launches virtual food-safety course for Monroe County
Summary
Penn State Extension staff presented four upcoming webinars to commissioners and described a new virtual food-safety managers course meant to prepare local food workers for ServSafe certification. The extension advised nonprofits preparing food for public events to consider the 'Cooking for Crowds' training, offered for $75 per organization.
Penn State Extension representatives briefed the Monroe County commissioners on Nov. 5 about four upcoming webinars and a new virtual food-safety managers course designed for local food-service workers and volunteers.
Jennifer Mercero of Penn State Extension listed four programs: a free webinar on data centers and water resources (Nov. 19, noon–1 p.m.; registration required), a 10-week financial literacy series “Your Money Matters” starting Nov. 10 at $10, a free webinar “Prevention Starts With Us” focused on youth substance-use prevention, and a free virtual event on healthy aging (registration required). She directed residents to the Penn State Extension of Monroe County Facebook page and extension.psu.edu for details and registration links.
Nicole McGhehan, Extension educator for food safety and quality and health and wellness, described a new virtual food-safety managers course developed after copyright restrictions prevented delivering the standard ServSafe curriculum online during the pandemic. McGhehan said the virtual course provides live instruction and interaction and is intended to prepare participants to take the ServSafe exam while emphasizing practical food-safety practices for the public’s health.
McGhehan also outlined other offerings: home food-preservation classes (freezing, drying, canning) and a “Cooking for Crowds: A volunteer’s guide to food safety” program aimed at nonprofits preparing food for the public. That course is $75 per organization and includes a manual, a thermometer and signage; McGhehan recommended it for churches, fire halls and other nonprofits that do not fall under retail food regulations.
The extension staff said their in-person class recruitment has lagged since COVID and that virtual, live-instructor formats have been positively received for affordability and convenience. The presenters invited residents and organizations to follow Penn State Extension Food and Health on Facebook and Instagram and to register for courses online.
