Food Demonstration Guide

The Food Demonstration Guide is a comprehensive resource developed to enhance the quality and safety of food demonstrations conducted under the Arizona Department of Health Services' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. This guide aims to train SNAP-Ed and WIC staff on best practices for preparing, presenting, and storing food during demonstrations. It emphasizes food safety protocols to prevent contamination and ensure the health and well-being of participants. 

Background: 
Food safety, nutrition, and food security are inextricably linked. Access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food is key to good health. Food safety is important for understanding how to avoid infectious or toxic foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria or chemicals. Foodborne diseases also impact socioeconomic development by straining healthcare systems, lost productivity in the workplace, and harm trade and tourism. 

The Food Demonstration Guide is designed to be user-friendly and adaptable, catering to a wide range of food demonstration scenarios that employees might encounter across the state. This guide represents a pivotal step towards standardizing food demonstration procedures and promoting nutritious food choices in Arizona and beyond.

Applications: 

• Nutrition education programs (e.g., SNAP-Ed, WIC)
• Public health initiatives
• Community health and wellness workshops
• Food safety training programs
• School and youth nutrition programs 

Advantages: 

• Standardized
• Comprehensive training
• User-friendly
• Cost-effective
• Adaptable to different user scenarios
• Supports food safety and nutrition outcomes