Food Safety & Food Preservation Training
The topic of food safety includes the way we handle, prepare, and store food to ensure that it will not cause illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year in the US, foodborne illnesses cause 48 million people to become sick and 128,000 people to be hospitalized.
About 1 in 6 Americans will get a foodborne illness each year. Not only does this affect people’s health, it also costs the food service industry and healthcare system billions of dollars.
Training opportunities from Garfield County Extension include Food Safety Works, ServSafe Food Protection Manager Training & Testing, Basic Food Preservation, and Master Food Safety Advisor Training.
Learning Opportunities
Food Safety Works Training
Now available in English and Spanish
Food Safety Works is a practical, hands-on training designed for food service workers, volunteers, and anyone preparing food for the public. The class covers the core principles of safe food handling—from proper cooking and storage temperatures to preventing cross-contamination and understanding personal hygiene requirements.
Completing the course not only builds confidence in safe food practices, but also provides a 2-year certification recognized across Colorado. Many employers require or prefer staff to hold this certification, making it a valuable credential for your career.
ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Training & Testing
ServSafe® is a nationally recognized program developed by the National Restaurant Association that provides food
safety training, exams, and educational materials to food service managers.
ServSafe® participants who score 75% or above on the exam become certified and are qualified to become instructors of food handlers. Under the new code, this certification may also lower your risk assessment score, which could result in fewer visits from your County Health Sanitarian.
Basic Food Preservation Classes
Curious about the science of food preservation? Learn the art and science of food preservation using current research-based techniques and best practices. We offer classes on canning, freezing, dehydrating, fermenting, and more.
Master Food Safety Advisor Training
Would you like to build expertise in safe food prep and preservation while teaching others? Consider becoming a CSU Extension Master Food Safety Advisor. Our trained volunteer educators provide the public with research-based food safety and preservation information from Colorado State University and the USDA.
Cottage Food Safety Training
Colorado allows individuals to produce, sell, and store certain types of “cottage food” products in an unlicensed home kitchen that are non-potentially hazardous and that do not require refrigeration. The Colorado Cottage Food Act allows individuals to make and sell a limited range of foods, including spices, teas, dehydrated produce, nuts, seeds, honey, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butter, flour, and baked goods, including candies, fruit empanadas, and tortillas.
Want to schedule a group food safety training?
Contact us. We’re ready to help!