IDENTIFYING FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN VIRGINIA FOOD RECOVERY ORGANIZATIONS

The major research goal of this project is to increase the safety of food distributed through food recovery organizations (FROs). We will inform the development of a novel food safety education curriculum within the context of FROs using data collected in response to the following objectives:Objective 1 - Evaluate the efficacy of past food safety education on the operations of Virginia food recovery organizations from the perspective of individuals serving with themObjective 2 - Measure food handling behaviors of individuals serving in Virginia food recovery organizationsThe major training and career development goal of this project is for the fellow to gain experience necessary for full-time employment in one of two ways: as faculty at a university in an integrated research/extension program; or working in a food security related non-profit organization. The fellow will prepare for this through the following objectives:Objective 1 - Develop the necessary skills to incorporate diverse and inclusive practices into their professional workObjective 2 - Contribute to the advancement in the field of food safety beyond presentations and publicationsObjective 3 - Serve as a mentor to undergraduate students at Virginia TechObjective 4 - Gain experience with cooperative extension and community-based programming