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 state law (California Retail Food Code Law or CALCODE) governing 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, designed to help event coordinators and sellers keep food safe and comply with the law.

The first class of the 2011 season will be held on the following date; Tues. March 15, 2011, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Placer County Environmental Health Department, 3091 County Center Drive, in Auburn, in the Cypress room. The class is free.

“Keeping food safe during outdoor events can be a challenge,” said 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 California Retail Food Code Laws set guidelines, 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 they potentially can have more risk,” said Brown. “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.”