Servsafe Food Handler Short Course
September is Food Safety Education Month, so I’ll be presenting a 3-hour Servsafe Food Handler Short Course on Tuesday, September 20, 1:30-4:30 pm at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main Street in Hays. The cost for the course is $10 per person. The training covers basic food safety principles and is appropriate for commercial food service employees, non-profit establishments and volunteer groups. This class does not include an exam and does not provide national certification.
Advance registration is requested to allow time to order student handbooks. Contact the Ellis County Extension Office at 785-628-9430 no later than September 9 to register and pay fees. A minimum attendance is required to hold this class.
Food Handler Training for Churches
I’ve been invited to present a volunteer food safety training next week for groups and individuals who prepare large meals at the Hays First United Methodist Church. Volunteers will learn the extra food safety precautions to take when preparing food for a large crowd, how to use and calibrate a food thermometer and do high-speed handwashing.
No one wants their church meal to be involved in a foodborne illness outbreak. It pays to be proactive. If your church could benefit from food handler training, call me at the Ellis County Extension Office, 785-628-9430, to schedule a presentation.
Prepare Kansas Campaign
For National Disaster Preparedness Month in September, K-State Research and Extension will launch a preparedness media campaign. Prepare Kansas 2016 will emphasize food concerns before, during and after emergencies – foods and supplies to have on hand in case of emergencies, how long food will stay safe if the power is out, how to evaluate food safety after a disaster and reduce the likelihood of people getting sick from eating contaminated food.
Watch for this helpful information on social media in September and then take action to protect yourself and your family.
Program on Bed Bugs
We’ll shift gears again in mid-September to address a growing concern– bed bugs. Join us for the informational meeting “Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite” on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00 pm at the Ellis County Extension Office.
In recent years, bed bug infestations have increased. Bed bugs are most often associated with clutter and filth, but have also been reported in the finest hotels and living accommodations. K-State Research and Extension entomologist, Dr. J.P. Michaud, will provide information on the life cycle of bed bugs, what to look for and steps to take if you find them.
There is no charge for this program, but please pre-register by September 13 at the Ellis County Extension Office, 785-628-9430, to ensure adequate materials.
Better Breakfast Month
The rush to school and work each day means some things may have to be sacrificed – and often that includes breakfast. But making time for breakfast will benefit adults and children alike.
September is designated as Better Breakfast Month–a reminder that food is needed to break the overnight fast in order to jump-start daytime activities. Eating breakfast improves problem-solving ability, mental performance, memory and mood. With breakfast, people think faster and clearer, have better recall, score higher on tests and have better concentration and muscle coordination.
Breakfast need not be complicated, time-consuming, or expensive. For quick breakfast menu planning, choose foods from two or more MyPlate food groups. Nutrition research proves that people feel full longer and get less hungry during the day if the first meal includes protein-rich foods such as eggs, peanut butter, lean meat, lowfat milk or cheese paired with fiber-filled whole grains, fruits or vegetables.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.