Difference between revisions of "Food Management"
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== Statement of Purpose == | == Statement of Purpose == | ||
| − | In 2014, the Conservation Committee of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) conducted research identifying a need for professional recommendations regarding the management of food within institutions. The results of this research are summarized in the report [ | + | In 2014, the [http://spnhc.biowikifarm.net/wiki/Conservation_Committee Conservation Committee] of the [http://www.spnhc.org '''Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC)'''] conducted research identifying a need for professional recommendations regarding the management of food within institutions. The results of this research are summarized in the report [https://spnhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPNHCFoodSurveyReport_2014.pdf '''2014 Food in Institutions Survey Results''']. |
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Food is a significant part of the visitor experience in many collection-holding institutions. While this can be beneficial economically and is pleasing to visitors, the safety and preservation of the collections are often compromised due to pest activity, damaged exhibits, and collection staff time spent on extraneous food-related duties. For this reason, it is advised that institutions create policies and procedures especially for the responsible maintenance of food. This document aims to provide guidelines to support staff in developing and improving institutional policies and procedures for effective food management and, as such, will be reviewed and updated periodically. | Food is a significant part of the visitor experience in many collection-holding institutions. While this can be beneficial economically and is pleasing to visitors, the safety and preservation of the collections are often compromised due to pest activity, damaged exhibits, and collection staff time spent on extraneous food-related duties. For this reason, it is advised that institutions create policies and procedures especially for the responsible maintenance of food. This document aims to provide guidelines to support staff in developing and improving institutional policies and procedures for effective food management and, as such, will be reviewed and updated periodically. | ||
| + | [[File:Best Practices - Food in Museums Figure 1.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Breakdown of survey respondents' food options]] | ||
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== Recommendations == | == Recommendations == | ||
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=== Staff issues === | === Staff issues === | ||
| − | The well-being of staff at your institution is extremely important. It is recommended that staff be provided with a designated space to store, prepare, share, and consume food that is safe and hygienic. Staff should to be trained on the risks associated with eating within collection spaces, both for their own health and safety and protection of the collections. All staff including contractors, part-time, and interns should be trained on IPM efforts and why food management is required | + | The well-being of staff at your institution is extremely important. It is recommended that staff be provided with a designated space to store, prepare, share, and consume food that is safe and hygienic. Staff should to be trained on the risks associated with eating within collection spaces, both for their own health and safety and protection of the collections. All staff including contractors, part-time, and interns should be trained on IPM efforts and why food management is required. If applicable, consider applying incentives for eating in designated spaces, such as discounts for staff to use available canteens or vendors. |
====Case Studies: Staff issues==== | ====Case Studies: Staff issues==== | ||
:''Another university museum did not provide a break room or designated area of food. The curators/professors ate in their lunch in their offices among the collections they studied, until a red-legged ham beetle infestation spread from one office to a whole floor of collections. At first not all of the staff believed a designated space was needed, but when a line of ants was also discovered marching through the museum’s front door and into a nearby trashcan, everyone was supportive of regulations.'' | :''Another university museum did not provide a break room or designated area of food. The curators/professors ate in their lunch in their offices among the collections they studied, until a red-legged ham beetle infestation spread from one office to a whole floor of collections. At first not all of the staff believed a designated space was needed, but when a line of ants was also discovered marching through the museum’s front door and into a nearby trashcan, everyone was supportive of regulations.'' | ||
| − | :''One institution did not provide instructions for contractors regarding food in the museum, and did not require them to eat in designated spaces. Collections staff noticed that a moth infestation developed mysteriously a few months after electrical work had been done near collections. Upon further investigation, staff found that the electric contractor left part of his lunch in the electrical risers where he was working. The food attracted mice, and one dead mouse became the breeding ground for moths, leading to the infestation.'' | + | :''One institution did not provide instructions for contractors regarding food in the museum, and did not require them to eat in designated spaces. Collections staff noticed that a moth infestation developed mysteriously a few months after electrical work had been done near collections. Upon further investigation, staff found that the electric contractor left part of his lunch in the electrical risers where he was working. The food attracted mice, and one dead mouse became the breeding ground for moths, leading to the infestation.'' |
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=== Visitor issues === | === Visitor issues === | ||
| − | If visitors are permitted to bring their own food into an institution, then designated food space should also be provided for them. Food management will be easier and more efficient if preparation, sale, consumption, and disposal are centralized into one allocated space. Signage for visitors needs to be clear and concise to demonstrate and justify why such rules are in place. Custodial, in-house food vendor, and other appropriate staff must be trained and authorized to enforce these regulations | + | If visitors are permitted to bring their own food into an institution, then designated food space should also be provided for them. Food management will be easier and more efficient if preparation, sale, consumption, and disposal are centralized into one allocated space. Signage for visitors needs to be clear and concise to demonstrate and justify why such rules are in place. Custodial, in-house food vendor, and other appropriate staff must be trained and authorized to enforce these regulations. |
====Case Study: Visitor issues==== | ====Case Study: Visitor issues==== | ||
| − | :''The institution, visited predominantly by families, was often experiencing visitors eating within the galleries, which was not permitted. While custodial staff were instructed to politely ask offenders to stop, complaints often followed due to a lack of understanding and clear explanation. New signage was designed, using photographs of pest infestations on objects as a deterrent. Along with an official statement, agreed by the institution, staff are now better equipped to speak to visitors and with photographic evidence of the potential for damage, all visitors so far have been compliant without complaint.'' | + | :''The institution, visited predominantly by families, was often experiencing visitors eating within the galleries, which was not permitted. While custodial staff were instructed to politely ask offenders to stop, complaints often followed due to a lack of understanding and clear explanation. New signage was designed, using photographs of pest infestations on objects as a deterrent. Along with an official statement, agreed by the institution, staff are now better equipped to speak to visitors and with photographic evidence of the potential for damage, all visitors so far have been compliant without complaint.'' |
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=== Vendor food location === | === Vendor food location === | ||
| − | Vendor food, such as vending machines, coffee or sandwich carts, etc., should only be sold in purpose-built areas and not ‘crammed’ into existing collection spaces or galleries | + | Vendor food, such as vending machines, coffee or sandwich carts, etc., should only be sold in purpose-built areas and not ‘crammed’ into existing collection spaces or galleries. Placing vendor food in purpose-built spaces not only decreases the risk of damage (for example, leaks from carts or spilt coffee near collections) but also demonstrates to visitors an institutional priority and expectation for proper food management (i.e., if an institution takes it seriously, the visitors are more likely to take it seriously). |
====Case Study: Vendor food location==== | ====Case Study: Vendor food location==== | ||
:''Despite objections from collections staff, a restaurant was located between two galleries in a new museum building. Access between the restaurant and the main catering kitchen and waste disposal areas requires passing through a carpeted paleontology gallery. After a serious ketchup spill on a dinosaur, a procedure for moving food, supplies and waste exclusively in covered carts was implemented, resulting in less risk and better relations between food vendors and collections staff.'' | :''Despite objections from collections staff, a restaurant was located between two galleries in a new museum building. Access between the restaurant and the main catering kitchen and waste disposal areas requires passing through a carpeted paleontology gallery. After a serious ketchup spill on a dinosaur, a procedure for moving food, supplies and waste exclusively in covered carts was implemented, resulting in less risk and better relations between food vendors and collections staff.'' | ||
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=== Design of food === | === Design of food === | ||
| − | It is recommended that the types of food served within an institution are designed to take into consideration their impact not only on resources but also the mission of the institution. Consider offering food choices that are less complicated to prepare and simpler to consume, such as no deep-frying of food and serving hors d'oeuvres that can be eaten with one hand | + | It is recommended that the types of food served within an institution are designed to take into consideration their impact not only on resources but also the mission of the institution. Consider offering food choices that are less complicated to prepare and simpler to consume, such as no deep-frying of food and serving hors d'oeuvres that can be eaten with one hand. Also consider prohibiting foods that stain or are difficult to remove, such as gum, red wine, ice cream, popcorn, etc. |
====Case Study: Design of food==== | ====Case Study: Design of food==== | ||
| − | :''One museum hires out certain galleries for special events and relies on that extra revenue. Although a full dinner is not served, a previous choice of complicated finger food still presented a problem for the museum--cocktail shrimp. Guests were required to use two hands to peel the shrimp, meaning plates and cups needed surfaces to rest upon. There were not enough tables, so guests opted to rest plates on object pedestals. The shrimp peels required additional bowls or plates for collection and disposal, and a few ended up on the gallery floor. The sticky hands of guests were not cleaned thoroughly enough and fingerprints were discovered around other areas of the gallery. At the next event, the museum served non sticky foods that can be eaten with one hand.'' | + | :''One museum hires out certain galleries for special events and relies on that extra revenue. Although a full dinner is not served, a previous choice of complicated finger food still presented a problem for the museum--cocktail shrimp. Guests were required to use two hands to peel the shrimp, meaning plates and cups needed surfaces to rest upon. There were not enough tables, so guests opted to rest plates on object pedestals. The shrimp peels required additional bowls or plates for collection and disposal, and a few ended up on the gallery floor. The sticky hands of guests were not cleaned thoroughly enough and fingerprints were discovered around other areas of the gallery. At the next event, the museum served non sticky foods that can be eaten with one hand.'' |
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=== Food preparation areas === | === Food preparation areas === | ||
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
| + | * [https://spnhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPNHCFoodSurveyReport_2014.pdf Report on the 2014 Food in Museums Survey produced by the SPNHC Conservation Committee] - The results of the 2014 survey are summarized in this report, followed by a discussion of common themes identified in the responses. The complete food institutions survey questions are included in the report appendix. | ||
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| + | ==Contributors== | ||
| + | [[User:RebeccaNewberry |Rebecca Newberry]], [[User:BethanyPalumbo|Bethany Palumbo]], [[User:FranRitchie|Fran Ritchie]] | ||
=== Consensus Documents === | === Consensus Documents === | ||
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=== Review Documents === | === Review Documents === | ||
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| + | <small>'''Back to [[Main_Page]]'''<br> | ||
| − | [[Category:Best_Practices]] | + | [[Category:Best_Practices]] [[Category:Collection Management]][[Category:Additional Topics]][[Category:Collection Management Policies]] |
