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| Mobile Background Information |
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is embarking on an
exciting and dynamic educational campaign designed to reach millions of consumers with food safety messages.
The centerpiece of this innovative campaign is the USDA Food Safety Mobile, an eye-catching education and
outreach vehicle. FSIS planned the campaign in such a way to support your food safety education efforts and
reach consumers where they live. We need your participation and partnership to successfully reach these
consumers.
What is the USDA Food Safety Mobile?
The USDA Food Safety Mobile is a 35-foot, recreational-style vehicle covered with a bold, eye-catching
design and prominent food safety messages, including the four Fight BAC!® messages of the
Partnership for Food Safety Education. It will travel continuously
throughout the continental United States to educate consumers about the risks associated with mishandling
food and steps they can take to reduce their risk of foodborne illness. The Mobile will serve as a
"rolling billboard" for food safety messages and as an attention-getting backdrop for educational exhibits
and events appealing to adults and children alike. The inside of the Mobile is not open to the public, but
is an office and rest area for those working with the Mobile and a storage area. It may also be used as a
meeting space with partners or as a location for media interviews with officials. The inside will not be used
as living quarters for drivers or staff. The Mobile's home base is in Beltsville, MD, just outside of FSIS
headquarters in Washington, DC, though it will be on the road 10 to 11 months per year.
What is USDA planning to accomplish with the USDA Food Safety Mobile?
The purpose of the USDA Food Safety Mobile is to:
- Increase awareness of food safety and promote the use of the four key food safety behaviors;
- Meet the needs of local food safety educators and organizations, as expressed at the 2002 Food
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Safety Education Conference (Thinking Globally--Working
Locally: A Conference on Food Safety Education), by generating positive media attention to food safety
education, and reaching specific audiences;
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Provide important food safety education information to consumers at a grassroots level by personally
interacting with them;
- Target under served populations;
- Strengthen existing partnerships and create new ones through enhanced communication, thereby fostering
increased collaboration in food safety education and food security outreach to localities nationwide;
- Educate consumers on new food safety technologies, such as irradiation;
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Inform the public about its role in food safety and security, and ask consumers to do their part in
homeland security; and
- Increase familiarity among the general public with the role of USDA and FSIS in protecting public health.
Where is the USDA Food Safety Mobile going?
Each year, the Mobile will travel throughout the continental United States, appearing at State and county
fairs, food events, media events, schools, libraries, grocery stores, community events, parades, festivals,
health and safety expos, conventions, trade shows, FSIS District Offices, and at FSIS events in conjunction
with visits and presentations by USDA officials. You can also request that the Mobile come to your local event,
or plan a special event around the Mobile. For the core schedule, see the
Mobile Events Schedule. FSIS has put
together a core schedule of major events. You should make your requests for visits based on these dates and
locations. You can make suggestions now for major events in future years to be part of the Mobile's core
schedule.
What comes with the Mobile?
The Mobile is equipped with:
- food safety publications and materials, in English and Spanish;
- display tables-two 4-foot and one 6-foot;
- revolving publications stand (holds 16 publications);
- tablecloths with the USDA logo;
- one Thermy™ costume and one Fight BAC!® costume;
- one propane grill, demonstration equipment, and supplies;
- promotional and media items related to the Mobile;
- DVD player, VHS player, and monitor for displaying educational videos;
- one 10' x 10' shade tent;
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folding chairs - It is suggested that partners bring additional chairs if more than two are coming,
especially for all-day events;
- electrical outlets (110v);
- restroom and kitchen facilities (with a small refrigerator) - for staff and volunteer use;
- food for demonstrations will be provided by USDA whenever possible;
- a Food Safety Game; and
- a hand washing station (2004).
Once the Mobile is scheduled to visit you, FSIS will send you a CD with information that will help you get
your event started.
What will USDA do?
USDA employees and volunteers will:
- Drive the vehicle (USDA employees and contract drivers only);
- Schedule all dates and locations for the Mobile;
- Stock the Mobile with food safety publications, materials, and promotional items;
- Stock the Mobile with cooking and hand washing supplies;
- Provide materials and ideas to assist with local promotion of Mobile events, such as template press
releases, photographs, video, Web site links, talking points, etc.
- Set up, dismantle, pack, and store USDA equipment, materials, and costumes; and
- Provide the Mobile at no charge to food safety partners.
What will educators and partners do?
In order to make the most of a Food Safety Mobile visit, educators and partners will need to:
- Take the lead to schedule, develop, promote, and execute local events;
- Provide assistance to USDA with promotion for and logistics during major events;
- Suggest and provide input on major events;
- Set up their own displays and provide materials and local contact information at events;
- Facilitate and participate in contacts and interviews with local media;
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Provide additional staffing at events to conduct demonstrations and provide information to the public;
and
- Assist with costumes and in finding individuals to wear the costumes.
Will the Mobile work well in reaching specific audiences?
The graphic nature of the USDA Food Safety Mobile is designed to reach many diverse groups including children,
parents, seniors, and various ethnic, low-literacy, and non-English speaking audiences. The Mobile is stocked
with materials for general audiences, for those listed above, and for food service, including some materials
in Spanish. When available, a food safety or public affairs specialist with knowledge of specific audience
needs or Spanish language skills will accompany the Mobile.
Will the USDA Food Safety Mobile come to small towns or limited events?
Once a core schedule is set, anything is possible for events along the way. The only restriction is that the
Mobile staff needs enough time to set up for your event and get to the next event in time to set up there.
This flexibility allows the Mobile to make stops in any size community while it is in a region without
prioritizing by the attendance of an event. Time and geography will be the key factors. USDA hopes the Mobile
will be invited by partners to their events, large and small, at schools, libraries, community centers,
grocery stores, hospitals, parks, sporting events, community events, and any other place or activity where
educators and partners can reach the public with food safety information.
What are the space and other logistical requirements for the Mobile?
The USDA Food Safety Mobile is 36 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, 12 feet tall, and weighs about 23,000 pounds when
loaded. Part of the Mobile also expands to provide more internal space. On site, a 20-foot by 40-foot area
would be a good size to accommodate displays and demonstrations by USDA and partner staff. Height clearances,
size of entrances, and weight restrictions at sites would need to be checked too.
Using a site that can be seen from the road would maximize the Mobile's potential to attract people with its
graphics. At night, a well-lit area is useful as the Mobile has limited external lighting.
Access to electrical power is helpful for displays and charging the vehicle, but is usually not required.
How do educators and partners request a visit from the Mobile?
More information is available on our Web site.
To request a visit for an event in your area, check to see when the Mobile will be in your region, then send an Email to
foodsafetymobile@fsis.usda.gov or call (301) 504-9605. You can also check for up to date information on the
Mobile Event Schedule on the Web site or send suggestions for major events in upcoming years. We look
forward to partnering with you as we work together to promote public health through food safety education!
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