BAC Talk: News for Partners & Friends April 2021
Message from Shelley Feist
Hello, friend!

We put winter 2020 to good use by using our online time with Partners to focus on three excellent areas of advancing leadership in food safety education:

  1. Launched the successful Consumer Food Safety Education Virtual Conference, March 912
  2. Began creative development of a modernized communications platform around home delivery of food
  3. Convened 20 scientist/experts resulting in a set of recommended, revised consumer practices
 
Whew! It’s been a busy winter and spring. 

We are fortunate to have in Frank Yiannas, the Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the FDA, someone committed to modernizing consumer food safety education. Frank joined us for a pop-up event on March 31, where we discussed his vision for modernizing food safety education with a focus on communications technologies and the “last mile.”

At that event, Frank said something that resonated with me, and I think it highlights the power of this Partnership. 

“When we get this right and more strongly link food safety to the nation’s values and belief systems, organizations that produce food will be better off because we’re all consumers, some of us just happen to work in the food system.”

Your Partner contribution raises awareness of safe food handling and hand hygiene for all people — including your employees, your customers, and your loved ones. 

The science behind food handling guidance as it relates to delivered foods hasn’t changed, but the way we source our food and interact with it is evolving. E-commerce has skyrocketed, and it is here to stay.

That’s why the Partnership is in the process of collaborating with you to develop a national food delivery campaign that will build trust and connect people to information at the point where they are sourcing food — modernizing how basic health information is delivered. 

The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) has generously made an initial contribution to the creative development of the food delivery campaign. We appreciate AFDO and their executive director, PFSE board member Steven Mandernach. Thank you!

For a successful launch this July/August, we must identify additional financial supporters for this important work. Is this an area where your organization has been looking for a way to deepen its engagement? 

PFSE must raise $300,000 to be successful in launching and implementing the food delivery campaign for U.S. consumers. 

Can you consider committing to the current year's unallocated funds to help PFSE meet this challenge and to ensure this modernization effort can continue? 

Thank you so much for your support and belief in the power of this Partnership!
Sincerely,

Shelley signature
Shelley Feist
Executive Director
Mission Moment
Thank You, Pat!
Patricia Buck is leaving the PFSE Board of Directors after fulfilling her terms of service. She is honored in this salute video by fellow Board members and colleagues. 

Pat, we are very grateful for your commitment to food safety education. Thank you so much for your years of service on the PFSE Board.

Upcoming Events
Virtual Partner & Federal Liaison Meeting
Thursday, May 20
12 noon Eastern

Register here to attend the virtual Partner meeting.
Kids Cook Up a Healthy Tomorrow!
Monday, June 7
7 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern

Something’s cooking in honor of World Food Safety Day!

Participate in our Facebook Live event to discuss getting kids and teens in the kitchen.

Beau Coffron, known as the Lunchbox Dad, will join us for Q&A, and winners of the Young Cooks Recipe Challenge will be announced!

Mark your calendar, and bring the kids!
Let's Modernize Food Safety Education
With the onset of the global pandemic last year, many companies that offer food delivery saw demand for their services skyrocket.
We see now that there is a need for evidence-based basics to help people handle foods safely while developing trust between delivery recipients and providers.

To do this will require modernization of food safety education. PFSE is looking for investors ready to take this on!
The Association of Food and Drug Officials has graciously committed two years of support to the development and launch of outreach on the safe handling of delivered foods. This support is a powerful statement to have our nation's leading state food and drug officials get behind this necessary work.
 
Please consider an additional gift to PFSE in the first half of 2021 so we are able to meet the demand for a delivered foods outreach effort.  

Contact Shelley Feist or Britanny Saunier to explore how your investment can be a catalyst for modernizing food safety education!
Conference Feedback
The response to CFSEC 2021 was terrific, and we want to share the feedback with you!

“I just wanted you to know that I really enjoyed the conference. You guys did a fantastic job! Thanks again for a very interesting, informative conference.”

“This is the best conference I have attended in years! Everything was excellent, high quality, interesting
and enjoyable.”

Please take a moment to look at more amazing reviews submitted by your fellow BAC Fighters!
Recipe Challenge Closes May 3!
The Young Cooks Recipe Challenge is a great way for kids and teens to share their healthy lunch recipes — the perfect combination of fun and education! 
It's easy to enter the challenge:

  • Create an original healthy lunch recipe for either school or home created by an individual or team (no desserts)
  • Add necessary food safety steps from the Safe Recipe Style Guide
  • Submit the recipe online and attach a photo of the completed dish

Help your favorite young cook to enter the challenge. The deadline is Monday, May 3!
Don't forget to share the contest with colleagues, family and friends! 
Coming Up in May!
Food poisoning peaks in the summer months when warmer temperatures cause foodborne germs to flourish.

May kicks off the "unofficial" grilling season, and the Partnership will be promoting safe grilling tips.

Help us spread the word!
Use this downloadable flyer and sample social media post in your outreach next month.

Sample post: Grilling season is here! Keep it socially distant & safe! When you fire up the grill, make sure you use a food thermometer to ensure meat is cooked to a safe internal temperature. More info: https://bit.ly/3t14A2H
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.