Are you in charge of a community event in which food is served? Does your service club, youth group, school or political organization sell food at community events, such as fairs and festivals? If so, you need to be aware of the current regulations under the California Retail Food Code (CALCODE) which governs the sanitation requirements for Temporary Food Facilities.

Placer County’s Environmental Health Division’s Consumer Protection Section will be holding a class on temporary food facilities which is designed to help event coordinators and sellers keep food safe and comply with the law.

The first class of the 2008 season will be held on Wednesday March 5, 2008, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Community Development Resource Center, located at 3091 County Center Drive, Auburn. The class is free to event coordinators.

“Keeping food safe during outdoor events can be a challenge,” declared Richard Brown, Supervising Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Consumer Protection Team. “That’s why our Consumer Protection Team is here as a resource, to provide you with as much information and training as possible. That’s also why the state’s CALCODE sets laws, such as provisions for washing hands and utensils.”

“Some kinds of food selling booths bring little or no risk – such as selling canned soft drinks and commercially-packaged cookies, while booths in which volunteers actually prepare ‘potentially hazardous’ foods must be much more careful since higher risk foods are involved. Our staff will help guide you through the requirements, the associated risks and the easiest solutions for your organization.”

“The Consumer Protection Team will also explain the permit application processes and other issues pertaining to each specific event,”  Brown said.

To receive more information or to make a reservation, please call 530-745-2300.