Safe Serving of Snacks

Wrapping or bagging snacks is one approach, but it is not without its problems.  Soft food like pies oozing delicious filling or cakes with icing do not wrap well.  What works well with candy or cookies may destroy some other snack foods.

Another problem is people are attracted to what they see.  Filling bags is not always the best way to showcase the snacks available.

Bags give the perception that the serving size has been predetermined.  As a host or hostess, one would not want guests to feel they should limit themselves to what is in a bag.

Even packaged food should be spread out.  People no longer are comfortable picking up something handled by others, even if it is the bag the food is in that was handled.

Use large trays to spread the food out.  This way an item can be removed without touching other items.  And there is no need for children to search a pile of goodies.

Cakes and pies are often served by the slice.  There is no practical way to remove a slice of either other than grasping a small plate upon which it rests.

Tongs work for many things, but not all.  If tongs work there should be enough that each person has tongs for them to use, not one per food item.  This way only one person will handle the tongs they use.

The advantage over small plates if to limit the amount of paper used.  Remember other problems, such as global warming, are still a concern, and overuse of paper or plastic products has negative impacts there.

Set the tongs out well spaced on a serving tray, and have a few extra since people do drop things.

Chips are often eaten with dip.  Have each person take a spoon for use in taking dip.  Set the dip and chips on a tray, and allow dip to be taken into plates. 

Dipping one chip at the source is no longer wise.  Yes, you may need a little more dip since it is hard to judge exactly the amount to add to a plate, but it is the best way.  Years ago, I was attending a faculty party when a colleague dipped a chip, bit from it, then dipped the partial chip into the community bowl.  There are people who double dip.  Dissuade the practice.

Often coffee or tea is offered to guests.  A host or hostess can fill individual cups with hot water.  Then have a tray with packets of flavored instant coffee, packets of a variety of teas, packets of sugar and other sweeteners, and individual servings of cream.  These can all be placed apart on a large serving tray.

Space is your friend, spread things out.  Offer individual items, and a way to obtaining things not handled by others.

Avoiding spreading of germs is not just a pandemic idea, it will serve you well after things return to normal.  Practice party safely, and limit paper usage as well.

This article contains links to affiliate programs and Adsense advertising.  These must use cookies to allow for proper crediting. As a Zazzle and an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The introduction image is a Zazzle product from my Zazzle creations, and the image on the product is my own.