Serv-Safe for Safe Food!

I'm one step closer to firing up the stove in the CK! I have now completed (and have a certificate suitable for framing) the four hour Serv-Safe class offered by the Health Department. This particular class was sponsored by the Franklin County Virginia Cooperative Extension, but I think the classes are offered randomly through all our local VCE offices. Sharon Ortiz, a Senior Environmental Health Specialist for the Health Department, taught the class. The four hours literally flew by. There is a more intensive sixteen hour class that will be offered after the holidays, but this was the perfect place to begin. Plenty of information to digest before delving deeper into food safety.

The fact that 95% of foodborne illnesses can be prevented, coupled with the fact that foodborne diseases cause more than 76million illnesses each year, is enough to make you want to pay attention! Maybe this class should be required when purchasing a marriage license. The rules apply, whether in your home kitchen or feeding the public.

All the participants in the class attended the Community Kitchen Seminar and Open House with different ideas about using the kitchen to begin or expand a food-based business.

Sharon was very encouraging, and while she certainly wore the hat of enforcer of the regulations, she is excited about helping us succeed with safe food practices.