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There are so many options out there for food handling courses, even when you simply limit your search to the “big cheese” options that are out there. How can you possibly know which will be the right one for you? If you need some support in making this very important decision, look no further. Here are two of the top options put head to head to help you make your choice once and for all!

Learn2Serve features and perks

With the way the name sounds, it looks ultra-modern, right? That’s because it is, but it’s modern for all of the best reasons, especially when it comes to training:

  • How it’s taught (and tested): Learn2Serve will be a great option for those who are really focused on at-home learning. Designed to be done entirely online (even with the exam), this is great for scheduling it on your own schedule and still getting good quality training without having to sit in a physical classroom.
  • The “real life” application perks: Learn2Serve will offer many practical uses for these programs. There are the ones that you’d expect, of course, such as restaurants and bars. However, it’s also great for liquor stores, gas stations, convenience stores, etc. Since food handling safety is still needed there, it gives you great versatility.
  • The breadth of courses: There are quite a few course options for both options. When it comes to the actual item count, though, Learn2Serve has more. You’ll have options from classic food handling and managing to alcohol use, allergen protection, and even tobacco and cannabis safety!

ServSafe features and perks

If you’re affiliated with the restaurant world, you know this name! This is run by the National Restaurant Association and they are very, very well-known because of it. This is absolutely a great program for certification when you know what you need and want:

  • How it’s taught (and tested): In the case of ServSafe, they are looking at offering some parts of their courses online, but not all of them. Some require in-person class portions and, at the moment, all require an in-person exam. This means it can be trickier for anyone trying to add it to their schedule. It’s still possible, of course, but that in-person test will be scheduled based on the proctor’s schedule, and if you can’t make it…yeah.
  • The “real life” application perks: This is affiliated with the professional restaurant world, so you will know that it’ll offer a broad scope of food handling and managing circumstances. However, you’ll also want to consider that its certification doesn’t really stretch beyond that. If you know that you are strictly going to stay in the restaurant and bar industry, this is fine. If you might want to consider spreading your wings, you’ll need to look at another certification to do that.
  • The breadth of courses: The other central nugget is the number of course options you’ll find waiting for you. ServSafe has all the food and alcohol options you want to consider, including management. But, they stay firmly in that realm. So, getting certification for handling tobacco and cannabis isn’t something you’ll get now with ServSafe courses. If this is something you think you’ll want or need, it’s certainly a factor to consider.

The verdict

There’s one other thing you’ll want to consider with these fantastic options: the price. You’ll find that ServSafe discounts are few and far between, whereas Learn2Serve coupons are much more plentiful. They also tend to be a bit more generous, too. For example, 15% off of food management training and certification, and a great deal on alcohol seller/serve permits.
This doesn’t mean that one is better than the other, of course, but since the price is often a factor for many people who are searching and looking for a cost-effective way to get good quality food handling certification, it is something important and serious to think about. You aren’t the only one, after all, so there’s no harm in using that as one of your list items!

At the end of the day, both of these offer some seriously great perks. The final choice will be yours, of course, but if you want to make sure that you always choose correctly, rely on these focus points to help you know which is the best decision After that, it’s going to be about what feels better for you!