Cooking for Crowds:Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer’s Guide to Safe Food Handling

Preparing food in large quantities differs from food preparation in the home. Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer's Guide to Safe Food Handling program helps nonprofit organizations and their volunteers understand the risks of preparing large volumes of food and the important food safety practices that must be implemented to ensure a safe event.

Even if your organization has been doing this for years, things change, and volunteers must be up-to-date and knowledgeable about rules and regulations governing food safety. Don’t risk your customers’ health or your organization's reputation.

This program is for volunteers preparing food for events such as church fundraisers, fire company barbecues, booster club food sales, and many other types of events where food is served to the public.

Volunteers will learn the causes of foodborne illness as well as safe food handling practices related to: Preventing Cross Contamination; Controlling Time and Temperature; Good Personal Hygiene; Cleaning and Sanitizing; and Planning a Successful Food Event.

This course, taught by Rick Kralj, Penn State Educator, is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $50 per person or $75 per organization (an unlimited number of participants can attend for $75). Registration is required; registration deadline is Monday, August 25th. To register, visit https://extension.psu.edu/cooking-for-crowds.