Food Safety Guidelines

 When handling food prior to placing it in a community fridge, please follow these guidelines for food safety:

1. Wash or sanitize your hands before handling food
2. Keep cold foods cold
   • Cold food should remain at 41 degrees or below when possible
3.  Bring a cooler if possible but protect food during transport from contamination
4. Never leave perishable food sitting out
5. Inspect all food before placing in a fridge
   • Food may require repackaging – see repackaging instructions below
   • Discard any food that is spoiled or unsafe by using the “would you eat it?” meter
6. Check/mark dates with the date the food is being placed in refrigerator and any known allergens that might have been identified by the pickup location
   • Black sharpie should be available at the fridge location to mark the date the food was prepared and/or placed in the fridge, but always have one handy when rescuing food
7. When in doubt, throw it out
   • This applies to food you pick up or any food in the fridge that looks questionable when you deliver to the fridge
8. Trash containers/dumpsters will be located near each fridge location
9. Report any issues/concerns by calling or texting 712-642-1015