Upcoming ServSafe® food safety trainings available across Nebraska Panhandle

(The Nebraska Extension will offer manager and food handler trainings at several locations in the Panhandle. Adobe Photo)

 Nebraska Extension

 Nebraska Extension is continuing to offer ServSafe® Food Safety training across the Nebraska Panhandle in 2026, with several upcoming opportunities still available for food service managers and employees to become certified or renew their knowledge.

 These nationally recognized training courses are designed to help restaurants, food trucks, schools, and other food establishments strengthen food safety practices, reduce the risk of foodborne illness, and meet Nebraska certification expectations. With increased emphasis on food safety through updated state regulations aligned with the Nebraska Pure Food Act, having trained and certified staff remains a critical component of safe and successful food service operations.

 “ServSafe training helps food establishments build confidence, protect customers, and support consistent, safe operations,” said Ashley Fenning, Nebraska Extension. “We encourage businesses to take advantage of these remaining training opportunities to ensure their staff is prepared and compliant.”

 The ServSafe® Food Protection Manager course is a comprehensive, one-day training intended for food establishment owners, managers, and supervisors responsible for overseeing food safety. This course covers essential topics including preventing contamination, time and temperature control, employee health and hygiene, and effective cleaning and sanitation systems. Participants will also learn how to implement safe food-handling procedures throughout the food flow, from purchasing to service. The training includes the course manual, eight hours of instruction, and a proctored ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification exam, allowing participants to complete certification in one session.

 Upcoming ServSafe Food Protection Manager Trainings:

• July 9 - from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport

• Oct. 6 - from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Box Butte County Extension Office in Alliance

• Nov. 3 - from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center in Scottsbluff 

The ServSafe® Food Handler training is a shorter, half-day course designed for employees who handle or prepare food. This training provides practical, easy-to-understand instruction focused on everyday food safety practices. Participants will learn about personal hygiene, prevention of cross-contamination, allergen awareness, time and temperature control, and proper cleaning and sanitation procedures. Each session also includes a proctored ServSafe Food Handler test, allowing participants to complete both training and certification during the course.

All upcoming ServSafe Food Handler Trainings will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• June 9 - Platte Valley Bank Conference Room in Chadron

• Aug. 13 - Cheyenne County Fairgrounds in Sidney

• Dec. 1 - Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport

 The cost for the ServSafe Food Protection Manager training is $160 per participant, and the ServSafe Food Handler training is $40 per participant, which includes instruction, materials, and the proctored exam. Registration is required three weeks prior to each course date to allow time for materials to be prepared and mailed.

 Participants can register online at https://go.unl.edu/panhandleservsafe2026 or by calling the Morrill County Extension Office at 308-262-1022.

 For additional information, contact Ashley Fenning, at 308-262-1022 or [email protected]

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Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.