With proper planning and training, you can safely serve local food in your cafeteria! Whether you're starting a school garden or bringing in a small sample for children, the below resources should prepare you for a food safe environment.
School Food Safety
United States Department of Agriculture New Farmers Food Safety
Includes an array of resources for farmers related to food safety.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
Act that enables FDA to better protect public health by strengthening the food safety system and focuses on preventing food safety problems.
Food Safety Clearing House
Curated and crowd-sourced collection of Produce Safety Rule (PSR) and Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule (PCHFR) resources related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that can be access through a searchable database.
Produce Safety Alliance
Collaborative project between Cornell University, USDA, and FDA to provide food safety training and education opportunities.
Penn State Extension Farm Food Safety
Includes a variety of food safety resources including the latest farm food safety regulations, rules of FSMA and compliance requirements, good agricultural practices, and more.
University of Wisconsin-Division of Extension Produce Safety
Food safety resources that include technical assistance, information on the FSMA, and grower training opportunities.
National Your Farmers Coalition Food Safety
Includes food safety resources for young farmers.
Farm Commons Food Safety Resources
Includes an array of food safety resources for farmers.
School Garden Food Safety
Growing Safer Gardens
Resource from North Carolina State University that provides school garden recommendations based on Good Agricultural Principles.
Food Safety Tips for School Gardens
Resource from the Institute of Child Nutrition that covers school gardening tips regarding site selection, materials, and water use; chemical, fertilizer, compost, and manure use; growing and harvesting; and serving school garden produce through school meal programs.
People + Plants: Safety in the Little Gardeners' Garden
Includes safety tips for gardening with small children.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Food Safety and Health
Collection of resources related to food safety.