Please contact your child's teacher or administration prior to bringing any food other than your individual child's lunch to a school event.

Food-related illness caused by improperly prepared food brought in from the community is a public concern. In an effort to reduce the risk of a food-related illness with our students, we request that parents refrain from bringing in home-prepared foods and/or foods from non-commercial sources.

High-risk foods are foods of animal origin (eggs, meat, milk, etc.). Additionally, the number one cause of foodborne illness is improper temperature control. So foods that need refrigeration or hot holding (meat and cooked vegetable salads, milk, meat, etc.) carry the most risk.

Under no circumstances should the following food items be brought in from homes:

• Ground beef products (hamburgers, casseroles, or ground beef containing dishes)

• Venison in any form

• Unpasteurized milk or juices or products made from unpasteurized milk (such as butter, cheese or ice cream)

These foods have traditionally been involved in E. coli outbreaks and young children are particularly susceptible to this organism.

The following drier foods carry a lower risk. The following drier foods are accepted with a relatively small risk for classroom activities:

• Cookies

• Cakes with commercial frosting (avoid cream fillings)

• Fruit pies (avoid cream and custard pies and pastries-their risk is much higher)

• Bread not containing pieces of fruits or vegetables

• Canned, bottled, and boxed drinks

Any fresh fruits or vegetables brought in should be from commercial sources and washed thoroughly before being eaten. Again we want to keep students safe and need your support in following the food guidelines. (Information and guidelines provided by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.)

Food from outside sources for whole-class celebrations may not be eaten in the cafeteria. This is against Child Nutrition Services guidelines and may result in our school being fined.