BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT 501

4331P

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

USE OF DISTRICT KITCHEN AND CAFETERIA FACILITIES

Whenever District facilities are used for the preparation and serving of food, particular care must be exercised to insure that State and County health regulations are strictly followed. To this end, it is important that each building administrator take responsibility for assuring: (1) the integrity of food preparation and storage areas as defined by the Whatcom County Health Department, (2) the coordination of activities/events containing a food component and, (3) reviewing the Whatcom County Health and Human Services Department advisories for food storage and eating in classrooms.

Generally, a Health Department permit or waiver is required if food is served. In some cases the event can be covered by the District's general operating permit; others will require a separate permit or waiver to be obtained. This will depend on the nature of the event, who is using the facilities, and what type of food is involved. In most instances the activity will fall into one of the following three categories as shown below:

1. School-related events that may rely on the District's Permit:
   • An event staffed by the Food Services Department.
   • PTA or other school - affiliated parent organization bake sale, where no custard pies or pastries that require refrigeration are served.
   • School group private event (i.e., team dinner) where the general public or entire student body is not invited and the food is not prepared on-site or storage/serving areas are not used.
   • Concessions selling only commercially packaged chips, candy, beverages, cookies, and crackers.
2. School-related events that will require a Health and Human Services Department review:
   • PTA or other school affiliated organization events where the food is provided by licensed vendors and cold foods are served within 2 hours and hot foods within 4 hours.
   • Student stores that are preparing and selling fresh food items.
3. Non-School-related events:
   • Community facility rentals that involve the preparation of food will only be allowed if District Food Service staff is present, in which case the District's permit will apply.
   • Community facility rentals that involve the serving but not the preparation of food will be allowed only if the renter obtains approval from the Health and Human Services Department.

When a teacher or group approaches a building administrator about the use of the building's kitchen or cafeteria facilities, the building administrator should determine which category that use will fall into. If it is category 1, they may proceed to approve the activity. If the event falls into category 2, the building administrator must advise the sponsoring individual or group to contact the Health and Human Services Department for a review of the event. If the event is non-school-related and therefore, falls into category 3, the building administrator should direct the sponsoring individual or group to the District Business Office. An Application for Rental of School Facilities will be prepared and the sponsoring party will be made aware of their requirement to obtain a Health Permit from the County Health and Human Services Department. If there is confusion about the nature of the activity; as to which category it may fall into, the building administrator should contact either the Food Services Manager or the Executive Director for Finance and Operations.

Approved:

Dale E. Kinsley                                                                                                            January 31, 2000

Superintendent of Schools

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