Teaching Arab Homemakers to Keep Food Safe

Gayle Coleman, MS, RD
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE)
September 19, 2002

Overall goal of project

Meet the food safety education needs of the Arab community in a culturally appropriate manner

Project Team

• Evelyn DeNike, FDA
• Dr. Joseph Moshe, ACCESS
• Gayle Coleman, MSUE

What is the Arab Community Center for Social Services (ACCESS)?

• Nonprofit community organization
• Located in Detroit metro area, largest Arab community outside of the Middle East
• Bridge for medical, social, economic training and support for new Arab immigrants

Why was this project important for ACCESS?

(photograph of a man)

Strategies to achieve goal

• Work in collaboration with ACCESS to better understand the needs and food safety issues in the Arab community in Michigan
• Modify existing food safety education materials to better meet the needs of the Arab community
• Develop and provide a training for volunteers who will work with individuals in the community

Adapting existing materials

(examples of brochures in Arabic and showing a woman in Middle Eastern dress)

Provide training to community volunteers

(cover of booklet: "Teaching Arab Homemakers to Keep Food Safe")

• Developed teaching kit
• One-day workshop conducted at ACCESS community center
• 17 volunteer educators recruited from the community and trained

How do you know if the project was a success?

(photograph of a man)

Key elements of project

• Communication
• Team approach
• Buy-in by Arab community
• Met needs of team members
• Communication

Funding for this project provided by the following

Food Safety Initiative grant from FDA’s Center for Food Science and Applied Nutrition and Michigan State University Egg and Poultry Safety

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