Preparation and Sale of Food on Church Premises

Preparation and Sale of Food on Church Premises

Providing certain basic precautions are followed there is no reason whatsoever why Churches should not be involved with the preparation and sale of food.
This may range from a one-off annual event such as the church fete, a weekly coffee morning or lunch or a full scale catering operation providing a large number of meals on a daily basis. Different considerations apply depending on the scale of the operation, as outlined below:

What the Law Says

The law relating to food safety is covered by the Food Safety Act 1990 and regulations made under it.

The Food Safety Act makes it an offence for anyone to sell or process for sale food which is:

- Harmful to health;
- Contaminated to such an extent that it would be unreasonable to expect it to be eaten;
- Falsely described, advertised or presented;
- Not what the customer can reasonably expect.

The things you must do to comply with the Food Safety Act are contained in the regulations below:

Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995

These cover the basic requirements for safe premises, general food hygiene, personal hygiene and training of food handlers. Everyone involved in food handling must have received training in basic food hygiene. More detailed information is given below:

The Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995

These regulations apply to the requirement for temperature control to all types of food which without it might support the growth of harmful bacteria or the formulation of toxins.

Product Specific Regulations

There are a large number of specific regulations relating to various foodstuffs such as dairy products, eggs, poultry and shellfish.

Premises Which Are Only Used Occasionally For Food Preparation

The Food Safety (general Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 require that premises which are used occasionally for food preparation such as Church halls, and moveable or temporary premises such as marquees, follow the guidance for temporary premises. The Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice published by Chadwick House Group sets out in detail a guide to compliance with the Regulations, and gives advice on good practice. The following is a summary of some of the main requirements:

- Anyone using the premises must have regard for other activities that have previously taken place in the premises. If these present a risk of food contamination, the premises should be thoroughly cleaned and if necessary disinfect before food preparation begins.
- Food contact surfaces must be in sound condition, clean and easy to disinfect.
- There must be a basin or basins for hand-wash only, provided with hot and cost water, soap or detergent and a means of hand drying.
- Protective clothing must be provided, and high standards of personal hygiene maintained. Any wounds must be covered with a brightly covered waterproof dressing.
- It is good practice for all visitors to a kitchen to wear protective clothing including hats if they present a risk of contamination.
- Hot and cold water must be available for washing tools and equipment together with a supply of detergent. It is good practice to separate sinks for food washing. Where this is not practicable the sink should be cleaned and disinfected between different activities.
- Adequate facilities must be available for maintaining and monitoring suitable food temperatures. In most circumstances foods which need temperature control for safety must be held either HOT (at above 63 degrees C) or CHILLED (at or below 8 degrees C).

For hot holding, insulated boxes will only be effective over short periods of time. For chilled storage, mechanical refrigeration equipment will normally be needed to achieve satisfactory temperatures. Ready-to-eat foods must be kept away from raw foods that may contaminate them both in storage and preparation.

Premises Used For The Regular Preparation Of Food

If meals are produced on a regular basis, in addition to the requirements outlined above, other regulations apply.

It may be necessary to provide separate sinks for food preparation and equipment washing if the volume of preparation in the kitchen demands it.

There may be a need for a means of mechanical ventilation.

Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991

If food is provided for 5 or more days in any five consecutive weeks you must advise the local authority about any premises you are using for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food. The majority of premises will have to be registered. However, certain premises which could include Church Halls may be exempt. You should contact your local authority Environmental Health Officer to check whether or not you need to register.

Further Information

More detailed advice can be obtained from your local authority Environmental Health Department. Other texts:

- Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995.....ISBN 0900 103 00 0

The following are FREE from the Food Standards Agency:

- A guide to general Food Hygiene Regulations 1995 (Ref: FSA 0051)
- A Guide to the Food Safety (Temperature Control) regulations 1995 (Ref: FSA 0148)
- A Guide To Food Hazards and Your Business (Ref: FSA 0095).

This Advice sheet has been prepared by the Diocese of Hereford's Tourism Project. It is for information only.

SOURCE OF THIS INFORMATION: 'Guidance Notes for Churches' Section 3: Health & Safety. Ecclesiastical Insurance.

Encouraging School and Group Visits

The following list provides you with some ideas as to how to encourage school and group visits to your Church.

- Your local authority's education department will distribute a weekly 'post bag' to all schools in your area - ask them if you can send information to schools via this bag.

- Your local library will have a directory of all local groups and societies - including scouts/guides etc.

- Produce a poster and an information sheet about tours for children, and distribute them as widely as possible - use them as flyers to send to schools/groups and display them in local post offices, tourist information centres, libraries, churches etc.

- Invite your local Mayor & other well known people to take part in a charitable event, for example, climbing the tower if you have one (a Resource Pack on how to go about opening your tower is available from the Churches Tourism Officer). Invite the press and tell them that other group tours are available (try this publicity stunt with each successive Mayor as the summer season starts).

- Involve visitors in your advertising - give groups copies of posters for display on their premises/where they meet.

- Make sure you contact all groups at least once a year to remind them of your services - mailings often get misplaced or lost through the year.

Publicising Open days & Events

- Send a press release (see example below) to ALL local press, radio and television stations - you should be able to get a list of fax numbers/addresses from your local authority press office, tourism officer or library. Most libraries keep lists or try Benns Media Directory or Willings Press Guide in the reference library. Alternatively, you may wish to send your press release to the Diocesan Communications Office. Tel: 01432 37334 or Email

- Get to know who's who at the newsdesk or newsroom and keep you list up-to-date. Try to create a good ongoing relationship. To assist with this try and learn media deadlines and plan with these in mind. Invite the press to attend on the day of your event to take photographs - give those who attend a 'press pack' with information on what your visitors are likely to see, experience or take part in. Don't forget to include in the pack anything else you wish to publicise.

- Produce posters about the open day for tourist information centres, libraries, parish magazines and for display in the church. Posters should be A3 or A4 in size so that they can easily fit on noticeboards or in shop windows. If possible make the poster as colourful as you can. Use pictures on the poster and keep writing to a minimum. Ensure that you just include basic information on the event such as the venue, time and broad details of what visitors will be able to see and experience. Include a contact name and telephone number so that those potential visitors who need more information than is provided on the poster can get hold of it. Less is definitely more when it comes to posters!

- Try to plan open days well in advance so they can be included in your local tourist information officer 'What's on Diary' and possibly local authority tourism publicity. Don't forget to tell the Diocesan Church Tourism Officer (Clare Phipps) about your event well in advance so that she can include it in the annual 'Events Booklet' or possibly include it in the monthly tourism newsletter.

- The following is an example press release. The press release refers to a church that is opening its tower for the day. Although your event is likely to be different it will help you think about the type of information that your press release will need to contain. The press release should be written on, and should not exceed a single side of A4 paper in length. Gather your facts and make sure that you know what the story line is. Make sure you ask yourselves who you are aiming the story at and which form of media is most likely to reach them. To draw attention to your press release make sure that you use some key words...'the oldest.....bigget...newest...first time ever...for the last time....' A press release should have five facts...Who? What? Where? When and Why? The press release should be typed and should use standard A4 paper. If you can offer photos or photo opportunities and address your press release to the News Editor unless you are sending it to a particular journalist or reporter. Keep a copy of everything that you send.

- After sending your press release you should be prepared for a call or visit from a reporter. Be prepared by thinking about the main three points that you want to get across. Follow up with a phone call to them if they do not contact you.

NEWS RELEASE see explanation below in green box

Date:......

Reach the Sky in "...... "

See "...... " as you have NEVER seen it before!

Are you feeling fit? Then come and climb our 106 steps to the top of our Parish Church tower. You will see breathtaking views of the town centre and surrounding countryside.

Inside the tower marvel at the inside of the hollow stone spire, and the size of the 12 regularly used bells. Bell ringers will be on hand to explain the techniques they use and demonstrate English Change Ringing.

The open day will take place on:
Saturday 19th July 2003, 10am - 3pm
There will be a nominal charge of £1 per person.

Please be aware that climbing the tower should not be attempted by people with claustrophobia, vertigo, severe asthma or heart or lung conditions. There are 106 steep steps to the top. Sensible clothing and footwear must be worn, we reserve the right to refuse admission.

For more information, or to arrange pre-opening photographs please contact J. Bloggs on 01XX XXX or email:

Producing Thought Provoking Panels

TOP hints for Producing Thought Provoking Panels

- Make your words count. Produce a maximum of between 150 to 200 words. Less is definitely more!

- Use bold titles and sub-titles. Sell your theme.

- Highlight your main points.

- Use language creatively. Use alliteration and 'active' words.

- Use approachable language. Imagine writing as if you are talking to the reader. Use "you" e.g. "You Will See".

- Use short pithy sentences.

- Vary your sentence length.

- Don't use long words.

- Avoid jargon and Latin.

- Involve your audience. Get them doing something, looking for something, listening etc.

- Remember not to just present facts. Stories and metaphors work much better.

- Use pictures but illustrate, don't decorate.

- Make the panels 'active'. Use tactile surfaces and interesting materials. Use your panel to 'stop' people.
- Nominate someone to maintain the panels. Decide on how long you will keep it before you produce it.

- Evaluate. Test the panel before you make it. Watch, listen and ask for feedback.

Reproduced using ideas from Sue Cross Tell-Tale Interpretation, Margi Bryant Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Nigel McDonald, No Nonsense Interpretation.

Interpreting For Young People

Printed Material

- Keep it simple, don't use long words and be impersonal.

- Use active verbs, be positive.

- Use lots of illustrations, make it attractive.

- Aim to surprise and entertain.

- Ensure the text is large enough.

- Use colour if possible.

- Put displays and panels at a suitable height and think about making them interactive. This means that children have something to do such as lift flaps, open boxes, feel things etc.

Guides and Trails

- Children like to explore and find things out for themselves, they like surprises and humour. This probably applies to adults too!

- Children love interactive trails. They are both fun and educational.

- Think about whether you want to create a trail using permanent boards and clues etc. or whether you want to develop a trail that can be erected or used temporarily.

- Include natural and built trail features.

- You may want to think about just using your trail for special occasions since most visiting children will be relatively local.

- To help with the problem of regular visits from Children, then a trail quiz for each month or season could be created. Caring For God's Acre have examples. These are easy to produce by looking in children's quiz or nature books for ideas on how to set out the quiz or what to include. They can be easily produced on a computer and photocopied.

- As you visit places of interest take note of how those attractions interpret themselves and apply it, if appropriate to your circumstances.

Events

- Both the churchyard and church are suitable places for special events aimed at children and families.

- Think about activities such as 'minibeast safari's' and other nature-based or history based activities.

- Think about offering art activities (brass or headstone/tombstome rubbing; drawing items of specific interest; colouring competitions etc.); storytelling or creative writing.

- When organising events remember Health and Safety by carrying out a Risk Assessment and taking care to observe the law relating to the care of Children away from parents. You may also like to consider a code of conduct for events or school visits eg. Maintaining the peace and quiet of the churchyard and church as well as more practical hints such as not dropping litter and keeping to paths.

Leaflet Design Hints and Tips

Step 1: Message

- It's really important to think about what you want to say and how you want to relay your message
- It's worth considering as a first stage WHY you are producing a leaflet and your aims and objectives. In doing this you may realise that your message may be better conveyed using, for example, on site interpretation.

Step 2: Think about the aim of the leaflet

- (A) Is the aim of the leaflet to tell people more about your church whilst they visit it? Do you want visitors to have information in their hand as they walk around your site or only at particular points? If it is only at particular points then it may be more cost effective in the long run to produce interpretation boards. These are also easier to manage at an unmanned site where it may be difficult to keep leaflets well stocked. Will there be a benefit from people taking away your leaflet. Printing your contact details on the leaflet will mean that people may contact you in the future to donate money or volunteer their time.
- (B) Is the aim of the leaflet to raise awareness of your Church? If so you must think hard about the image that you want to portray and ensure that your leaflet stands out amongst other leaflets.

Step 3: Methods of Presentation

- There are many ways to get the message across in a leaflet from the use of lots of images and minimal text to lots of text and minimal images.
- Think about using diagrams and maps where appropriate and possible.
- The subject matter will often dominate the style of the leaflet and if you think about it you will realise that certain types of information are more often than not presented in a similar format to meet the reader's expectations
- The method of presentation and design that you choose should depend on your audience and it's important to consider who this is or will be before moving forward in the creation of a leaflet.

Step 4: Think About Your Audience

- Think hard about who the leaflet is aimed at and consider: age; special interest groups; social demographic groups; language (do you need versions in several different languages?); those with special needs (e.g. partially sighted).
- More often than not you will want you leaflet to appeal to as wide a group as possible but design elements as well as the text can tailor the leaflet to make it appeal to a more specific target audience.