Food Safety from Farm & Garden to Preschool resources by unit for parents and educators and food service staff.
- Unit 1: Farm to Preschool Benefits
- Unit 2: Fresh Produce and Foodborne Illness Risks
- Unit 3: Food Safety Basics for the Classroom and Kitchen
- Unit 4: Food Safety and Gardening Activities
- Unit 5: Food Safety on Trips to Farms and Farmers' Markets
- General Resources
Unit One: Farm to Preschool Benefits
Resources for Educators and Food Service Staff
Farm to School Website Links
The following farm to school websites offers resources, examples of successful programs, and additional information for starting and sustaining a farm to preschool program.
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy - Farm to Childcare: Highlights and Lessons Learned Report
- MA Farm to School – https://www.massfarmtoschool.org/
- National Farm to Preschool Website – http://www.farmtopreschool.org/programmodels.html
- National Farm to School Network – http://www.farmtoschool.org
- NH Farm to School – http://www.nhfarmtoschool.org
- USDA Farm to School Grant Website – https://www.fns.usda.gov/cfs/farm-school-grant-program
MyPlate Information
- USDA’s choosemyplate.gov has helpful information and tips on how to create a healthy plate. The site also includes information on the recommended quantities to consume, by age, for each food group. http://www.choosemyplate.gov
Farm to Preschool Curricula
The following links provide a variety of different farm to preschool curricula. The components vary by program but all focus on incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/ewphccs.htm
- Farm to Childcare Curriculum Package from the Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy http://www.iatp.org/documents/farm-to-childcare-curriculum-package
- Growing a Green Generation Growing a Green Generation (pdf)
- Harvest of the Month Network for a Healthy California http://www.harvestofthemonth.cdph.ca.gov/
- Massachusetts Farm to School Project http://www.massfarmtoschool.org/
- National Farm to Preschool Website http://www.farmtopreschool.org/curricula.html
- Show Me Nutrition, University of Missouri Extension https://extension2.missouri.edu/SMNPK2
Recipes
- Fresh from the Farm: The Massachusetts F2S Cookbook
This cookbook from the Massachusetts Farm to School Project is a great resource for recipes for childcare centers. Recipes have been tested and serving sizes range from 50 to 100.
http://www.massfarmtoschool.org/
Farm To School Cookbook (pdf) - USDA Food and Nutrition Services – Recipes for School
This link provides recipes by food group and includes recipes for fruits and vegetables.https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/tn-nutrition-recipes - USDA Recipes for Child Care Providers
The following link is to the Healthy Resources site of Team Nutrition. The site includes a Recipe Finder, Recipes for Nutritious Snacks, USDA Recipes for Child Care and more.
Recipes for Healthy Kids Cookbook for Child Care Centers (pdf)
Resources for Parents
Farm to School Website Links
The following farm to school websites offers resources, examples of successful programs, and additional information for starting and sustaining a farm to preschool program.
- MA Farm to School – https://www.massfarmtoschool.org/
- National Farm to Preschool Website – http://farmtopreschool.org/programmodels.html
- National Farm to School Network – http://www.farmtoschool.org
- NH Farm to School &ndash http://www.nhfarmtoschool.org/
- USDA Farm to School Website – https://www.fns.usda.gov/cfs
MyPlate Information
- USDA’s choosemyplate.gov has helpful information and tips on how to create a healthy plate. The site also includes information on the recommended quantities to consume, by age, for each food group. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Recipes
- Deliciously Health Family Meals
This cookbook by the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services National Institutes of Health and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute provides recipes and suggestions for family meals
Keep the Beat Recipes – Deliciously Healthy (pdf) - Fresh from the Farm: The Massachusetts F2S Cookbook
This cookbook from the Massachusetts Farm to School Project is a great resource for recipes for childcare centers. Recipes have been tested and serving sizes range from 50 to 100 but may inspire ideas for cooking in smaller quantity
http://www.massfarmtoschool.org/
Farm to School Cookbook (pdf)
Unit Two: Fresh Produce and Foodborne Illness Risks
Resources for Educators and Food Service Staff
Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- The following report provides additional information about common pathogens transmitted through food. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 16, 2010. Pages 418-422.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly (pdf) - The following report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information on foodborne illness in the United States from 1998 – 2008 including estimated number of cases due to different food commodities including produce. Attribution of Foodborne Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths to Food Commodities By Using Outbreak Data, United States, 1998—2008.
Attribution of Foodborne Illness (pdf)
Foodborne Illness Signs and Symptoms
- The following document from the FDA lists information for many foodborne illness-causing organisms including name, signs and symptoms, average duration of illness, and common food sources.
Foodborne Illness Causing Organisms (pdf)
Where to Purchase Glo Germ™
- The following link is to the Glo Germ™ website. Glo Germ™ can be used in classroom activities to show children how germs can be spread.
http://www.glogerm.com/
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, YUCK Photos
- See how easily pathogens can be transferred from one surface to another.
Yuck Photos (pdf)
GAP Resources
- Overview of Good Agricultural Practices by the UMass Extension, Nutrition Education Program while the information is intended for farmers it can provide a background into what buyers should look for at GAP certified farmers.
http://ag.umass.edu/food-science/entrepreneur - New England Food Entrepreneur Farm Food Safety Toolbox https://nefoodproducers.org/farm-food-safety-toolbox
- Good Agricultural Practices, why farmers take the steps to incorporate GAP. Article includes some case studies and effect on sales of GAP and non GAP related produce.
Good Agricultural Practices Gap Certification (pdf) - The Common Wealth Quality Program was designed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, to help identify locally sourced products that are grown, harvested and processed right here in Massachusetts. Growers, harvesters and producers that use this program are using practices that are safe, sustainable and don’t harm the environment. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/commonwealth-quality-program-cqp
Resources for the selection, handling, and storage of fresh produce
- FDA Video with Tips on Handling Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WbhudxB3W-M - FDA produce resources for consumers. This link provide information on how to select and serve raw produce safety.
Raw Produce Selecting and Serving it Safely (pdf) - This website from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service provides a number of different resources for produce food safety.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/food-safety/produce-safety-resources - This website from the Institute of Child Nutrition provides links to produce safety including videos, fact sheets, and more. https://theicn.org/ Food Safety Tips for School Gardens (pdf)
- This link from the University of Mississippi, National Food Service Management Institute provides information on how to handle fresh produce in the classroom.
Handling Fresh Produce in Classrooms (pdf)
Best Practices Handling Fresh Produce in Schools (pdf) - Foodsafety.gov – Your Gateway to Federal Food Safety Information – Click on Fruits and Vegetable on the home page to access more information on how to select, handle, and serve fresh produce.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/ - This poster from the FDA is a great reminder to wash fresh fruits and vegetables. Post it on your refrigerator or place it in the food prep area of your Center.
Wash Fruits and Vegetables Before Eating Poster (pdf) - Poster from the CDC with information on how to handle and store fresh produce.
Steps to Safe and Healthy Fruits and Vegetables (pdf)
Resources for Parents
Foodborne Illness Signs and Symptoms
- The following document from the FDA lists information for many foodborne illness-causing organism including name, signs and symptoms, average duration of illness, and common food sources.
Foodborne Illness Causing Organisms (pdf)
Links to resources on selection, handling, and storage of fresh produce
- The following video from the FDA provides Tips on Handling Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WbhudxB3W-M
Packing Safe Lunches
- FDA resources for consumers. The following provides information on how to select and serve raw produce safety.
Raw Produce Selecting and Serving it Safely (pdf) - This website from the Institute of Child Nutrition provides links to produce safety including videos, fact sheets, and more.
https://theicn.org/
Food Safety Tips for School Gardens (pdf) - Foodsafety.gov – Your Gateway to Federal Food Safety Information – Click on Fruits and Vegetable on the home page to access more information on how to select, handle, and serve fresh produce.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/ - Safe Lunch Study Guide – Homefoodsafety.org Safe Lunch Study Guide (pdf)
- Keeping Bagged Lunches Safe – USDA
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/keeping-bag-lunches-safe/ct_index
Unit Three: Food Safety Basics for the Classroom and Kitchen
Resources for Educators and Food Service Staff
Four Key Food Safety Messages
- The following brochure from befoodsafe.org gives an over view of the four key food safety messages: Clean, Separate, Chill, Cook.
Be Food Safe Brochure Black and White (pdf)
Be Food Safe Brochure Color (pdf)
Handwashing
- Link to a poster from the Minnesota Department of Health with tips on when to wash hands.
When Should I Wash My Hands Poster (pdf) - Link to a poster from the CDC on how to properly wash hands.
Stop Germs Stay Healthy Wash Your Hands Poster (pdf)
Sanitizing
- Knowing how to keep pathogens away from food is important to helping reduce foodborne illness. The following resource provides tips on how to prevent contamination of foods and provides information on how to safely sanitize using bleach.
Keep Pathogens Away From Food: Food Safety for Family Day Care Providers (pdf) - The following document for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care provides information on the regulations for sanitizing and disinfecting in child care centers.
Department of Early Education and Care Sanitizing and Disinfecting (pdf) - The following materials were developed by Clemson University as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.
http://www.fightbac.org/campaigns/fight-bac-goes-to-childcare
Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces (pdf) - The following resource from the Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education provides information on sanitizing procedures.
How to Sanitize (pdf)
Cross-contamination
- Food Safety poster from the Knox County Ohio Health Department on how to store food in the refrigerator
Knox CountyFood Safety Posters (pdf) - Minnesota Department of Health Consumer Fact Sheet
Prevent Cross Contamination Consumer Fact Sheet (pdf) - National Food Safety Management Institute Food Safety Fact Sheet – Preventing Cross Contamination
Preventing Cross Contamination During Food Prep (pdf)
Temperature Danger Zone
- This pdf from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service provides information about the “Danger Zone”.
Food Danger Zone (pdf)
Bagged Lunches
- Homefoodsafety.org Safe School Lunch Box Study Guide
Safe Lunch Study Guide (pdf) - Massachusetts Food Safety Partnership – Safe Bagged Lunches
Safe Lunch Flyer (pdf) - University of California Cooperative Extension - How to pack a bagged lunch for preschoolers.
Safe Lunch for Preschool Children (pdf) - Sample field trip note with tips for parents on packing lunches
Field Trip Note to Parents (docx)
How to calibrate, use and select a food thermometer
- Video on how to calibrate a Food Thermometer from the Ohio State University Extension.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdW5gbSa_dQ - Food Safety Fact Sheet from the National Food Service Management Institute on how to calibrate a food thermometer in either in an ice bath or boiling water.
Calibrating Thermometers (pdf) - The following links from homefoodsafety.org provide tips on how to use a food thermometer including where to place the thermometer in a food item to get the most accurate temperature.
http://homefoodsafety.org/video/food-thermometer
Using a Food Thermometer Tip Sheet (pdf)
Cooking Temperature
- Food Safe Families Campaign
Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures (pdf) - This link from The Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education provides some additional information on steps to take to reduce bacterial growth.
Controlling Time and Temperature (pdf) - A chart providing guidelines for safe minimum cooking temperatures from foodsafety.gov, your gateway to food safety information.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html
Resources for Parents
General Food Safety Information
- Afterschool Activities and Food Safety
After School Food Safety Tip Sheet (pdf) - Summer Produce Tip Sheet
Summer Produce Tip Sheet (pdf) - Keep it Cool: Storage Chart
Keep it Cool Refrigerator Storage Chart (pdf)
Storing Food in the Refrigerator
- Food Safety poster from the Knox County Ohio Health Department on how to store food in the refrigerator
Knox County Food Safety Posters (pdf)
Temperature Danger Zone
- This pdf from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service provides information about the “Danger Zone”.
Food Danger Zone (pdf)
Parent Resources about Bagged Lunches
- Link from University of California Cooperative Extension on how to pack a bagged lunch for preschoolers.
Safe Lunches for Preschool Children (pdf) - Massachusetts Food Safety Partnership – Safe Bagged Lunches
Safe Lunch Flyer (pdf) - Homefoodsafety.org Safe School Lunch Box Study Guide
Safe Lunch Study Guide (pdf)
How to calibrate, use and select a food thermometer
- Video on how to calibrate a Food Thermometer from the Ohio State University Extension.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdW5gbSa_dQ - Food Safety Fact Sheet from the National Food Service Management Institute on how to calibrate a food thermometer in either in an ice bath or boiling water.
Calibrating Thermometers (pdf) - The following links from homefoodsafety.org provides tips on how to use a food thermometer including where to place the thermometer in a food item to get the most accurate temperature.
http://homefoodsafety.org/video/food-thermometer
Using a Food Thermometer Tip Sheet (pdf) - The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has provided some information on how to select a food thermometer. https://www.eatright.org/homefoodsafety/four-steps/cook/a-short-guide-to...
Safe Minimum Cooking Temperature
- This link from The Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education provides some additional information on steps to take to reduce bacterial growth.
Controlling Time and Temperature (pdf) - A chart providing guidelines for safe minimum cooking temperatures from foodsafety.gov, your gateway to foods safety information.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html
Unit Four: Food Safety and Gardening Activities
Resources for Educators and Food Service Staff
Starting a School Garden
- A handbook from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension on how to reduce food safety risks in school gardens.
Food Safety for School and Community Gardens (pdf) - A detailed guide to starting a school garden from The Center for Ecoliteracy.
Getting Started A Guide for Starting School Gardens (pdf) - Food Safety Tips for School Gardens from the National Food Service Management Institute
Food Safety Tips for School Gardens (pdf)
Testing for Contaminants
- Fact Sheet from UMass Extension, Center for Agriculture. The fact sheet provides information on testing soil for lead.
Soil Tests Results and Interpretation (pdf) - The following link provides information on how to place orders for soil testing from the University of Massachusetts. The cost for a Routine Soil Analysis is $10 and includes a test for lead.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/ordering-information - The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension also tests for soil contaminants. The heavy metal test includes lead and cost $65. The following link is to the order form.
UNHCE Soil Testing Form (pdf)
Composting
- Composting Resources for the School Garden by the Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom provides information and tips on composting. Composting in the School Garden (PDF)
- Compost thermometers can be purchased at most gardening supply stores. The following link is intended to provide an idea of what a compost thermometer looks like and not intended to represent the only way that thermometers can be purchased.
http://www.amazon.com/Reotemp-Instrument-Corp-FG20P-amazon-Thermometer/dp/B002P5RGMI
Fresh Produce Donations
- This document from the National Food Service Management Institute provides information for accepting donated fresh produce. The section titled Addressing Community Donations provides a good checklist for accepting food donations from the community.
Food Safety Tips for School Gardens (pdf)
Guidelines for Accepting Donated Foods (pdf)
Outdoor Handwashing Station
- The following brochure and video were produced by the University of Minnesota and provide information on how to build a handwashing station for your garden.
Handwashing station instructions (pdf)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMa5OTa3PnU - The following handout from the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension provides information on outdoor handwashing stations.
Hand-washing-unit-handout (pdf)
Resources for Parents
Gardening
- The following resource from the Oklahoma provides information on the Safe Use of Pesticides in the Home Garden
Safe Use of Pesticides in the Home Garden (pdf) - Garden to Table: 5 Steps to Food Safe Fruit and Vegetable Home Gardening from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
Garden to Table Five Steps to Safe Fruits and Vegetables (pdf)
Fruit and Vegetable Activities
- 5 Do It Yourself Garden Projects for Kids from Fruit and Veggies More Matters
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/5-do-it-yourself-gardening-projects-for-home-or-school#seedtape
Food Safety Alerts
- The following link from foodsafety.gov allows you to sign up to receive food safety alerts and recalls.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls/index.html
Unit Five: Food Safety on Trips to Farms and Farmers' Markets
Resources for Educators and Food Service Staff
Bagged Lunches
- This link from The Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education provides some additional information on bagged lunches.
Safe lunch flyer (pdf) - The following handout from the University of California Cooperative Extension is a great resource for how to pack a bagged lunch for preschoolers.
Safe Lunches for Preschool Children (pdf) - The following is a sample note to parents about what to pack on field trips.
Field Trip Note to Parents (docx)
Food Safety Tips at the Farmers Market
- The following information the FDA provides facts about foodborne illness and unpasteurized foods.
Talking About Juice Safety (pdf)
Handwashing when Leaving an Animal Exhibit
- The following resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about when to wash hands when leaving animal exhibits.
Animal Exhibits Hand Washing Poster (pdf)
General Resources
Farm to School Website Links
The following farm to school websites offers resources, examples of successful programs, and additional information for starting and sustaining a farm to preschool program.
- MA Farm to School –https://www.massfarmtoschool.org/
- National Farm to Preschool Website - http://farmtopreschool.org/programmodels.html
- National Farm to School Network – http://www.farmtoschool.org
- NH Farm to School – http://www.nhfarmtoschool.org/
- USDA Farm to School Grant Website – https://www.fns.usda.gov/cfs/farm-school-grant-program
Foodborne Illness Signs and Symptoms
- The following document from the FDA lists information for many foodborne illness-causing organism including name, signs and symptoms, average duration of illness, and common food sources.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm103263.htm
Four Key Food Safety Messages
- The following brochure from www.fightbac.org gives an over view of the four key food safety messages: Clean, Separate, Chill, Cook.
http://www.fightbac.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Food_Safety_Tips_Handout.pdf/
Starting a School Garden
- A school garden checklist from Let’s Move! And the USDA’s People’s Garden Initiative.
https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/pdfs/LM%20School%20Garden%20Checklist_0.pdf
- A handbook from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension on how to reduce food safety risks in school gardens.
http://growingsafergardens.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/foodsafetywebcurriculum-10-24-12.pdf
- Food Safety Tips for School Gardens from the Institute of Child Nutrition. https://theicn.org/cnss/state-sharing-center/school-and-preschool-gardens/
Video Transcripts
- Transcript - Intro: Food Safety (pdf)
- Transcript - Unit 1: Farm to Preschool Benefits (pdf)
- Transcript - Unit 2: Fresh Produce and Foodborne Illness Risks (pdf)
- Transcript - Unit 3: Food Safety Basics for the Classroom and Kitchen (pdf)
- Transcript - Unit 4: Food Safety and Garden Activities (pdf)
- Transcript - Unit 5: Food Safety on trips to the farm and farmers' market (pdf)
