Monthly food safety training program for food handlers
This program was developed to provide food managers with educational materials and strategies to improve their food establishment's current food handler training program.
Why it matters
Foodborne illness outbreaks and food recalls often happen because workers haven’t been trained well enough or often enough. Usually, training only happens when someone is first hired or after something goes wrong, which isn’t enough to keep food safe all the time.
Without regular reminders, people can slip into unsafe habits. A strong training program keeps food safety top of mind and helps you and your team prevent problems before they happen, instead of just reacting after mistakes occur.
How it works
The Monthly Food Safety Training for Food Handlers program will provide you with tools to improve your current approach to training.
- Each month, log in to the program to access education materials about a specific food safety topic and training recommendations to use in your food establishment.
- Education materials may be downloaded, printed, and posted for employees to review.
- You will also be able to download and customize a Shift Meeting Calendar that includes daily food safety highlights to guide your conversations.
When you use the training tools and strategies in this program, your employees will develop the confidence they need to comply with food safety practices.
2026 topics
- March: Food safety actions to use during emergencies
- April: Washing and preparing fresh produce
- May: Minimizing the risk of food allergens cross-contact
- June: Preventing bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food
- July: Food safety actions to use when receiving food deliveries
- August: Properly used dish machines and three-compartment sinks
- September: How to cool food safely
- October: Using proper handwashing practices
- November: Preventing the spread of employee illness
- December: Using proper labeling and datemarking practices
To access monthly food handler training materials, log in at canvas.umn.edu using the email address and password provided during registration. New food safety topics and materials will be available on the first of each month.
Certified education credits (CEUs) are not available for this program.
Audience
Food managers seeking materials for employee food safety training.
Cost
$50 for the whole program
Registration
Registration will open on February 1, 2026. Use the registration button below.
- If you sign up after the program begins (i.e., in June), you will still have access to information from previous months.
- No refunds will be issued for cancellations.
- Program access cannot be transferred to an alternative user account.
Accommodations
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Language
Select written materials are available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
Related training
Our Serve It Up Safely online course meets the State of Minnesota's continuing education requirement to renew a certified food protection manager certification. These courses are also excellent for employee food safety training.