DECATUR, IL (Chambana Today) — With an estimated one in six people experiencing a foodborne illness each year, the University of Illinois Extension is offering food safety training this May for volunteer organizations in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties.
The program, called Serve it Safely, is designed for non-restaurant food handlers such as service clubs, church groups, and soup kitchens. Sessions will cover food storage, cleaning and sanitation, safe cooking temperatures, and personal hygiene.
Three in-person sessions are scheduled:
- May 5, 9–11 a.m. at Monticello United Methodist Church, 2020 E. Washington St., Monticello. Registration deadline: April 30.
- May 14, 1:30–3:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 3350 N. MacArthur Rd., Decatur. Registration deadline: May 12.
- May 21, 9:30–11:30 a.m. at Lane Christian Church, 4794 Lane St., Lane. Registration deadline: May 18.
“Volunteers handling food need to practice up-to-date food safety skills for the safety of guests enjoying food or meals,” said Caitlin Mellendorf, nutrition and wellness educator with U of I Extension.
Attendance costs $5 per person. Registration is available at go.illinois.edu/ServeSafe. Organizations unable to attend in person can access a self-paced online food handler training at go.illinois.edu/FHtraining.
Those who need a reasonable accommodation to participate may call 217-877-6042.