SF Parkside Community Center Closed for Food Safety Failures

The Pomeroy Center, a community facility serving food in San Francisco's Parkside neighborhood, has been ordered closed by health inspectors following a failed reinspection that revealed multiple critical food safety violations. The facility at 207 Skyline Boulevard near Stonestown Muni failed this inspection on August 20, 2025, and remains closed to the public. Health inspectors discovered a disturbing pattern of food contact surface violations that put community members at serious risk of foodborne illness. During active food preparation, staff had no sanitizing solution available, leaving cutting boards, utensils, and preparation surfaces vulnerable to dangerous bacterial contamination. When inspectors requested sanitizing solutions be prepared, staff scrambled to create both 100 ppm bleach and 200 ppm quaternary ammonia solutions on the spot.

Ice Machine Contamination Discovered

Perhaps most concerning was the discovery of residue buildup inside the facility's ice machine. The interior flap showed visible contamination that could transfer directly to ice used in beverages and food preparation. This type of contamination creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and puts every person consuming ice at risk of severe gastrointestinal illness. Inspectors also observed a tea, coffee, and hot water machine draining wastewater directly into a food preparation sink basin. This plumbing violation creates a serious cross-contamination risk, as the same sink used for washing food could be contaminated with machine drainage containing bacteria and chemical residues.

Employee Hygiene Violations

The facility's handwashing practices proved equally problematic. Inspectors witnessed an employee touch their face and adjust their hair net, then immediately resume food service without removing gloves or washing hands. This violation was corrected on-site after inspector intervention, but demonstrates a concerning lack of basic food safety training among staff. Adding to the hygiene concerns, staff had no test strips available to verify sanitizer concentrations or dishwasher temperatures. Without these critical monitoring tools, there was no way to ensure equipment was properly sanitizing dishes and utensils used for food service.

Facility Infrastructure Problems

Beyond immediate food safety violations, inspectors noted deteriorating floor conditions in both the kitchen and dishwasher areas. The dark-colored, deteriorating flooring makes it difficult to detect vermin activity and compromises thorough cleaning efforts. The August 20 inspection was a follow-up to a routine inspection conducted on July 8, 2025, indicating ongoing compliance issues at The Pomeroy Center. Operated by the Recreation Center for Handicapped, the facility serves a vulnerable population that depends on safe food service.

Public Health Impact

These violations create multiple pathways for serious foodborne illness. Contaminated ice machines can harbor Legionella bacteria, while improper sanitizing creates ideal conditions for Salmonella, E. coli, and Norovirus transmission. The combination of poor employee hygiene and contaminated surfaces puts every meal served at extreme risk. The facility remains closed pending correction of all violations and a successful reinspection. Community members who recently dined at The Pomeroy Center should monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The closure highlights the critical importance of rigorous food safety protocols, particularly in facilities serving vulnerable populations in the Parkside community.