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Handling Fresh Produce on Salad Bars

Resource type
Training and Outreach
Resource Materials
PDF Icon Handling Fresh Produce on Salad Bars (386.88 KB)
students eating vegetables from a salad bar at school lunch.

The use of salad bars in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) is encouraged by USDA to promote the consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables.

In addition to the nutritional benefits, salad bars may lower plate waste by allowing students to take only items they will eat. While salad bars offer many benefits, they are not a viable option in some school food service operations.

Follow the Food Code for your local or state jurisdiction. Consult your school district’s food safety plan for appropriate actions when temperature standards are not met. Ask your local health department if you have any questions.

Preparation and Set Up

  • Use equipment with food shields or sneeze guards. In elementary schools, equipment with a solid barrier between the students and the food is recommended.
  • Consider offering pre-packaged or pre-portioned items for students in all grades. In elementary schools, pre-packaged or pre-portioned items are recommended for all self-service items.
  • Place a clean and sanitized utensil in each container on the salad bar. Consider replacing utensils at the beginning of each meal period.
  • Label containers to identify foods and condiments.
  • Use dispensers or single-use packages for salad dressings and other condiments.
  • Set up the salad bar just prior to the meal period.
  • Select container size so that food is used within one meal period.
  • Provide individually wrapped eating utensils or keep unwrapped utensils in containers with the handles up.

Temperature Control

  • Verify that the temperature of equipment is at 41 °F or below before use.
  • Check to be sure the bottom of the pan comes into contact with the ice or ice pack, when using them for temperature control.
  • Chill foods to an internal temperature of 41 °F or below before placing on the salad bar.
  • Check and record internal temperatures of each food item with a clean, sanitized, and calibrated thermometer before placing it on the salad bar. Check at least every two hours to verify that it remains at or below 41 °F.

Supervision

Do'sDon'ts
  • Consider using a serving line with a solid food shield in elementary schools, allowing students to select items for assisted service rather than self-service. Employees place selected items on a plate or tray, then pass it over the food shield to students.
  • Assist students with utensils, if needed.
  • Use a clean cloth or towel dipped in sanitizing solution to wipe surfaces during and between meal periods. Store sanitizing solution away from salad bar.
  • Monitor self-service salad bars to ensure that students don't:
    • Touch food with bare hands.
    • Touch food with clothing or jewelry.
    • Cough, spit, or sneeze on food.
    • Use utensils in multiple containers.
    • Place foreign objects in food.
    • Place dropped food or utensils back into containers.
    • Use the same plate or tray on subsequent trips.
  • Avoid adding or layering freshly prepared food on top of food already on salad bars and self-service lines. Check with your state or local health department for regulations on replenishing food.

Clean Up

  • Remove food immediately after the last meal period.
  • Cover, label, date, and refrigerate food remaining at the end of service if it will be served the following day.
  • Discard food that may have been contaminated, either unintentionally or intentionally.
  • Use chemical sprays only after all food has been removed.
Learn more about preventing contamination in food bars from the ICN.
Page updated: May 31, 2024