What About Food Safety? The California Retail Food Code, Section 113996, requires all Potentially Hazardous Foods—such as milk, meals containing meats or cooked vegetables, or certain cut fruits such as melons—to be maintained under proper food holding temperatures to prevent the potential for rapid bacterial growth. Once food items leave their hot or cold environment, they are considered outside the Safe Temperature Zone (STZ). Food collected from the food share table should be at the STZ outlined in the chart at right.
Questions? For questions about, or referrals for, setting up a food donation program, contact: David Goldstein, County of Ventura Public Works Agency, Integrated Waste Mgmt. Division 805-658-4312 or David.Goldstein@ ventura.org
4
Fortunately, during a typical school meal period, food will be outside the safe temperatures only while it leaves the serving line and moves to the food share table. Nevertheless, schools must observe safe food handling procedures and customize their practices to meet food safety requirements. Keeping cold items in the STZ can be challenging, especially on hot days. Consider methods to keep cold items chilled, using refrigerators, chest freezers, ice tubs or ice sheets. Take temperature readings with a thermometer between lunch services and discard items outside the STZs in the chart below.
FOOD
SAFE TEMPERATURE ZONE (STZ)
Cold food
41°F
e.g. milk
or lower
For School Districts in Ventura County REDUCE WASTE, MEET MANDATES AND FEED HUNGRY STUDENTS.
Preventing edible food from going to waste at school sets an example for students, teaching how everyday behaviors impact the environment and community.
WAYS TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE • Set up a separate area for cold items on the food share table. • Use ice tub or ice sheets • Set up a separate area for hot
Hot food
135°F
e.g. pasta
or higher
items on the food share table. • If items cannot be held at STZ, compost or dispose all remaining hot food at end of lunch period.
Room-temp. food e.g. oranges; crackers
N/A
• No temperature concern. • Ready to serve again after cleaning
More Information & Resources California Department of Education’s Food Share Mandate cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/mbcnp032018.asp
USDA Guidance for Food Share in Child Nutrition Programs fns.usda.gov/use-share-tables-child-nutrition-programs
Food Share Table Sign for Download pwaportal.ventura.org/food_share_sign.pdf
With assistance from Oakland Unified School District, StopWaste.org, the Alameda County & Ventura County Environmental Health Departments and the City of Ventura.