BAC Talk: News for Partners & Friends — October 2021
Greetings!

Do you enjoy the fall? Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Cozy sweatshirts, warm beverages, crisp walks, and rich, hearty foods. (If you live somewhere without a fall season, you're missing out!)

While walking and admiring the fall colors, I was reminded of a recent conversation about establishing food safety as a shared cultural norm for every American. Our big, broad efforts to change the food handling culture in America come down to individual people making different choices. 

Yes, we have big goals, and let’s not discount the value of one conversation. Each conversation is another step toward our goal of reducing the rate of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. 

Just like you, I ask: “How do I get my loved ones to value the use of a food thermometer?” and “How do I get them to see safe food handling practices as not ‘practices one should do’ but rather as ‘that’s just what we do?’”

Having spent many holidays discussing food safety with my family, I was the “bad guy.” You can probably relate. Then all of a sudden it changed. I now go to family gatherings and witness handwashing occurring naturally and the immediate storage of leftovers. I’m no longer the “bad guy!”

What does this reveal? Raising awareness of safe food handling practices is key to facilitating that shared cultural norm. People, including my family, are listening, and though it may not be immediate, they are actively taking steps.

New resources like Prep Yourself: Food Is on the Way and The Story of Your Dinner are important programs to enable food safety as a shared cultural norm. They raise awareness of safe food handling practices within specific contexts that are so relatable right now. And, frankly, they address a shared experience among most Americans — delivered foods, holiday meals, and home baking (more below).

Ultimately, we’re all BAC Fighters — in the powerful sense of “change American culture” and the intimate, personal sense of “protect my loved ones.”

Keep having those conversations with your family, friends, colleagues, and community about the importance of safe food handling. While you’re doing that, we’ll make sure health and food safety educators feel motivated and empowered to keep having conversations with their communities!

Because of you, the opportunities and timing for facilitating a shared cultural norm of food safety are ripe. Thank you for working together with us on preventing foodborne illness!

Fighting BAC(teria), together,
Britanny Saunier
PFSE Executive Director
Poll Question
Are you willing to travel to D.C. for a Partner meeting in the first quarter of 2022?
Yes
No
Maybe/Not Sure
Mission Moment
During her 25 years with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, BAC Fighter Julie Gardner, Ph.D. has had the opportunity to participate in and develop numerous food safety and nutrition programs. 

Learn more about how Julie helps to inspire students in safe cooking with the 4-H Food Challenge.
Your Holiday Communications Toolkit
The holiday season is just around the corner. You can participate in The Story of Your Dinner and Prep Yourself campaigns national conversations on food safety during the holidays!




  • Coming Soon: New safe recipes and a holiday food delivery flyer in English and Spanish! Keep an eye on your inbox for these new resources.

YOUR TOOLKIT: Access turn-key messages, images, and social media graphics you can use in your own outreach channels. If you need assistance, contact Shawnte Loeri. We’re happy to help! 
Steven Mandernach Discusses
Prep Yourself Campaign
MEAT+POULTRY magazine interviewed Steven Mandernach, executive director of the Association of Food and Drug Officials and a member of the PFSE Board of Directors.

During the podcast, he explains why education around safe handling of food deliveries is so important right now, and what takeaways the Partnership learned from consumer research for the Prep Yourself campaign. Read more and listen to the podcast in this new blog post.
Congratulations, Sue!
Congratulations to Susan T. Borra!

She is the 2021 recipient of the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Sue is a registered dietitian and foodie who currently serves on the PFSE Board of Directors. Prior to her retirement, she was the Chief Health and Wellness Officer at FMI - The Food Industry Association and Executive Director for the FMI Foundation.
Sue's expertise and passion for helping families with food safety were instrumental in the development of the Safe Recipe Style Guide. Thank you, Sue, and congratulations!
Online Resources for YOU!
Check out the updated Partners page!

  • Partner renewal form
  • Marketing/Communications resources
  • BAC Talk past issues
  • Partner meeting documents
  • PFSE logo and style guide

Can't find something? Reach out to Shawnte Loeri or Britanny Saunier for help.