The generosity of community organizations providing hot and cold meals to Hurricane Helene victims and volunteers in Haywood and surrounding counties has been amazing this past week. Feeding a crowd can raise the risk of food-borne illness from germs that you can’t see, smell or taste. Consider these tips on how to safely prepare, cook, serve and deliver meals to keep those you are serving safe from food-borne illness. This Cooking for Large Groups fact sheet includes information on the temperature danger zone, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, handling leftovers, cooking food safely and hot and cold holding. 

For more information on cooking for crowds, home food safety or flood related home food safety, please feel free to contact Julie Sawyer, Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences, Haywood County: 456-3575 or email julie_sawyer@ncsu.edu.