The Town Council has adopted a new kitchen policy for the Community Center, one that according to officials will make eating meals at the center safer as well as reduce town liability regarding catering operations.

Community Services Director Mark Mayer said the town needed better control over who serves and prepares food that is dished out during center events.

Mayer said the town consulted with Maricopa County Environmental Health in developing the new policy.

The Community Center kitchen is now designated as a “service kitchen,” where those catering events may heat or cool, but not cook, food that was prepared off site in a catering kitchen. They may also plate and serve the meals.

Caterers serving at the Community Center must have a catering license and insurance, and those serving must have a food handler’s certificate.

Bruce Hansen told the council during public comment that he has concerns about the new policy. He cited the Breakfast with Santa event sponsored by the Kiwanis each year.

He said breakfast is brought in by McDonald’s and would not meet the new criteria, which may cause drastic changes or cancellation of the event.

“I think it would be better to do the improvements that would make this an approved kitchen so you can cook,” Hansen said.

“You should be trying to make things easier, instead of more difficult.”

Mayer said it is his understanding that individually prepared meals such as those used for Breakfast with Santa do not fall under the county’s catering regulations and would not impact the event.

The new policy reduces the opportunity for food contamination and limits the town’s liability, according to Mayer.

There is a one-time cost of $545 for the county to review the town’s policy, and a $315 annual permit fee attached to the new policy.