Food & Drink Access & Safety Assessment (BRICK & MORTAR INSTITUTIONS)

The Food & Drink Access & Safety Assessment (FDASA) is a standard used by the Global Education Accrediting Commission (GEAC) to evaluate the safety and accessibility of food and drink services at an educational institution. The FDASA assesses the institution's policies and practices related to food and drink safety and accessibility, and their impact on the health and wellbeing of students and staff. This overview will be divided into several sections to provide a detailed understanding of the FDASA.

I. Purpose of the FDASA
The primary purpose of the FDASA is to ensure that educational institutions provide safe and healthy food and drink options to their students and staff. The FDASA assesses an institution's policies and practices related to food safety, nutrition, and accessibility, and identifies opportunities to improve the quality and availability of food and drink options.

II. Components of the FDASA
The FDASA has several components that assess different aspects of an institution's food and drink services, including:

A. Food Safety
The FDASA assesses an institution's food safety policies and practices, including food preparation, storage, and handling procedures. This includes evaluating the institution's compliance with local and national food safety regulations, as well as its efforts to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure the safety of its students and staff.

B. Nutrition
The FDASA evaluates an institution's nutrition policies and practices, including the availability and quality of healthy food options. This includes assessing the institution's efforts to promote healthy eating habits, provide nutritional information to students and staff, and offer healthy food choices that meet dietary restrictions and preferences.

C. Food Access and Affordability
The FDASA assesses an institution's policies and practices related to food access and affordability. This includes evaluating the availability and accessibility of food and drink options on campus, as well as efforts to address food insecurity among students and staff.

D. Food Service Staff Training
The FDASA evaluates an institution's food service staff training programs, including training in food safety, nutrition, and customer service. This includes assessing the institution's efforts to ensure that its food service staff is knowledgeable and competent in providing safe and healthy food options to students and staff.

III. Process of the FDASA
The FDASA process involves several steps, including:

A. Policy and Procedure Review
Institutions seeking accreditation must first conduct a review of their food and drink policies and procedures. This review is used to identify any areas of weakness or opportunities for improvement.

B. External Review
After the policy and procedure review, an external team of evaluators visits the institution to conduct an evaluation of the institution's food and drink services. This evaluation includes interviews with staff and faculty, a review of relevant documents, and an assessment of the institution's food safety, nutrition, accessibility, and affordability practices.

C. Report and Recommendations
The external team of evaluators prepares a report detailing their findings and recommendations regarding the institution's food and drink services. This report is submitted to the GEAC committee for review and a final decision.

IV. Benefits of the FDASA
The FDASA provides several benefits for institutions seeking accreditation, including:

A. Improved Food and Drink Services
The FDASA helps institutions improve the safety, accessibility, and quality of their food and drink services by identifying areas where they can make improvements and promoting healthy and sustainable practices.

B. Recognition of Excellence
Institutions that meet the FDASA standards are recognized for their excellence in providing safe, healthy, and affordable food and drink options, demonstrating their commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of their students and staff.

C. Ongoing Improvement
The FDASA requires institutions to engage in ongoing evaluation and improvement of their food and drink policies and practices, ensuring that they continue to provide safe and healthy food options and address the evolving needs and preferences of their students and staff.