New CFS Institute North America Elevates Hands-on Food Safety Training in the Region

“The food industry is evolving—growing,” said Nicole Cammarata, Global Training Manager at Commercial Food Sanitation (CFS). “So, we are too.”

The launch of the CFS Institute North America expands the reach of the company’s innovative method. Located in New Orleans, this all-new facility meets growing demand from the region’s food processors.

“We’re continually asked for immersive, practical training that goes beyond theory,” Cammarata explained. “Hands-on learning and intense collaboration in real-world situations—that’s how we’re ensuring global excellence in food safety.”

To that end, the new training facility is a space where teams can learn, share, and grow together, strengthening food safety culture across the region—and the entire industry.

The facility is equipped with laboratories and simulated plant environments where participants can learn hands-on in practical situations. Topics covered include wet cleaning, dry cleaning, environmental monitoring, and hygienic design of equipment and infrastructure.

“We designed this facility—like the others—to give our customers the most immersive, practical learning experience possible,” Cammarata said. “It’s not just about knowledge—it’s about transforming your team and your operation.”

We caught up with Cammarata to see what excited her about this new facility.

Built by Your Demand

“Customers told us they wanted training that felt real—something they could take back to their teams and apply immediately,” Cammarata shared. “This new Institute continues our answer to that demand.”

All CFS training sessions—wherever in the world you join—include activities to put theory into practice. Breakout exercises, real-world simulations, and team-based problem solving combine with friendly competition to create the perfect setting for effective adult learning.

Competing groups participate in hands-on cleaning exercises during a Sanitation Essentials Training at the new CFS Institute North America.

“We’ve been focused on this,” Cammarata said. “We understand why our customers are asking for it. We’ve built all the capabilities we need to create an immersive training experience into this brand-new training facility. Resources like those offered at the CFS Institute really help bridge the gap between knowledge and skill. They equip teams with the tools they need to succeed and flourish.”

Built to Be Shared

Training isn’t just about theory or equipment—it’s about people. And when people are empowered, culture begins to shift.

“It may be individuals who are learning,” Cammarata said in a previous interview, “but the whole company feels the benefit of that shared knowledge, that connection.”

That’s because the CFS Institute’s approach is rooted in shareable learning. Participants in foundational courses like Sanitation Essentials Training (SET) and Hygienic Design Training (HDT) are required to bring their learnings back to their facilities, spreading that impact across entire teams.

The new training facility fosters collaboration not just within teams, but across departments and even across the industry. Training and breakout sessions are designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning, where participants share challenges, successes, and best practices.

“We’ve seen firsthand how collaboration accelerates learning,” Cammarata said. “When people from different companies and backgrounds come together, they leave with more than just knowledge; they leave with a whole new perspective.”

Built for Global Impact

Though the North America facility is new, it’s part of a global network CFS has been building. We offer the same training sessions in Amsterdam, Shanghai, São Paulo, Monterrey, and Melbourne—each tailored to regional needs but united by a common philosophy.

“Whichever training facility you use, our training philosophy is the same: Empower teams to lead,” Cammarata said. “Teach them to do it right the first time—with food safety in mind.”

In that way, the launch of the CFS Institute North America is more than a milestone—it’s a message. It signals CFS’s continued investment in the safety of our world’s food supply, and its belief that practical training is the way forward.

“This isn’t just a building—it’s a statement,” Cammarata said. “We’re investing in the future of food safety.”

The first sessions at the new facility began in September, with enrollment capped to ensure an optimal learning experience. The facility will also be available for dedicated customer use, allowing companies to customize training to their specific goals.

“We’re making a safer, smarter food industry,” said Cammarata, “one food professional and one team at a time.”