Those dining out in Montgomery County can feel safer doing so after several food service operators completed the ServSafe certification class. “I’m so proud of the participants; this class shows a real commitment on the part of food service operations to keep the public safe when consuming food away from home,” said Amy Monk, County Extension Agent – Staff Chair.
“This is especially significant since every year roughly 1 out of 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases.”
One participant described the class as “eye opening” while others plan to do a better job training employees in food safety practices, paying closer attention to time and temperature abuse of food. These measures will help to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria
The University of Arkansas Extension Service offered the ServSafe® program to food service professionals in the area. The training team included Amy Monk and Kim Hughes, both County Extension Agents with the Cooperative Extension Service and Joey Woodfield of the Department of Health.
ServSafe® has been the industry national standard for over 25 years, training more than one million managers and employees on how to receive, store, prepare, and serve food safely. The training is designed to meet the needs of any food service employee without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Participants completing the class included:
4-Her Breanna Lewis
Bob’s Food City: Kathy Embree & Jeannie Malliard
Caddo Hills School – Rebecca Cogburn
Dixie Land Farm: Bob McCord Ronnie Lane
Double T Restaurant: Tommy Wingfield & Teresa Wingfield
Heavenly Donuts: Leo Angell
Jenn’s Gourmet Galley: Jennifer Brewer, Diane Phillips, Teresa Erickson, & Mary Beatty
Tiger Mart: Teri Groves, Kristin Wastian, & Norma Hogue
Montgomery County Nursing Home: Reva Lavendar
Mount Ida Boosters – Brenda Kirby
Mount Ida School – Michelle Abernathy
Mount Ida Snow Shack Dwight Abernathy
