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Food enjoyed in nature and natural farm-fresh foods seem wholesome and pure, but these venues and types of food carry risks. Hand washing is one of the easiest and most effective ways for people to avoid illness. Many pathogens exist in nature, and the fresh air and bright colors of a recent harvest make it easy to forgo basic safety measures. A hand-washing station is a great reminder.

Here are some benefits of hand-washing stations at outdoor venues like farmers' markets and food trucks.

Meet Legal Requirements

Mississippi law requires farmers' markets to have hand-washing stations accessible to everyone at their event. Vendors need to use the stations before handling food, especially items that the customer plans to eat immediately. The presence of the stations should also encourage customers to wash up before they eat.

A centralized hand washing station within the market enables everyone to have easy access to wash and sanitize their hands. A large station is more noticeable than the small sanitation areas common at vendor stands, and it does not force the vendors to give up their valuable retail space for the purpose. Individuals can keep out their sanitizing stations if preferred.

Avoid Potential Illnesses

All food service professionals understand the risks to people and their business if someone becomes ill after they consume food from their company. The owners of a food truck always put their reputation on the line when they serve customers, and any reports of illness could harm a business. Reputation damage can occur even if the problem is not because of the food.

Hand-washing stations also protect people at farm stands and farmers' markets that offer any size of a petting zoo. Farm animals often carry a variety of diseases dangerous to humans. Salmonella, E. coli, and listeria are just a few of the serious concerns. A nearby hand-washing station enables people to wash up so they do not carry any bacteria home with them.

One concern at places like food stands and farmers' markets is the potential contamination to products from people handling the food as they browse. Humans can spread pathogens, but clean hands have fewer bacteria to spread. The existence of a place to wash up should reduce the amount of bacteria people transfer to the food, so everyone stays safer.

Improve Customer Service

Hand washing is not only to protect against illness. Many people always prefer to keep their hands clean. Eating lunch, picking apples, or sorting through bins of fresh produce can introduce a lot of dirt and sticky messes. No one wants to get the mess on their clothes or cars, and a convenient hand-washing opportunity makes many people happy.

Food trucks need hand-washing stations as much as anyone else. Customers may forgo lunch from their favorite vendor if they must search for a place to clean up after. Food truck owners may even have the potential for repeat customers who come back for dessert after they finish the lunch they purchase, but that potential for a second sale is less likely if they need to leave the site to wash their hands.

Look More Professional

A commitment to customer safety and convenience always boosts the professionalism of a company. Customers also feel more confident about food purchases when they see employees committed to hand washing. Food trucks typically include sanitizing stations in the vehicle, but there is no harm in letting the public witness the company's dedication to hygiene.

Foodservice, restroom facilities, and hand-washing stations all work together to keep people comfortable and on-site. Using reliable portable systems helps many businesses in the food industry to stay profitable. At Gotta Go Site Service Rentals, we can work with local businesses to offer full time, seasonal, or event rentals as needed. Contact us to learn more.