Preparing food in large quantities is different from food preparation at home. Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer's Guide to Safe Food Handling program helps nonprofit organizations and their volunteers understand the risks involved with preparing large volumes of food and the important food safety practices that need to be implemented to ensure a safe event.

The program, conducted by Penn State Extension, is being held at the Beltzville State Park Environmental Interpretive Center), 2950 Pohopoco Drive, Lehighton, PA 18235 from 6 to 9 p.m. March 16.The program is geared to volunteers preparing food for events where food is served to the public. It covers information related to preventing cross contamination, temperature control, good personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitization, and planning a successful food event. Register online by March 13 at:

http://extension.psu.edu/food/safety/events.For more information, contact Nicole McGeehan at 570-421-6430 or

nmd5140@psu.edu.