CLAUDE — Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents in Armstrong and Randall counties will be offering a Professional Food Manager Certification Training course on May 22-23 in Claude.
The program will be at the Armstrong County Activity Building, 901 S. Hurley, said Leicia Redwine, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent for Armstrong County.
A $115 fee will cover training and materials, plus the state food manager certification examination, Redwine said. For those wanting to take the test only, the fee is $65.
This program is designed to help prepare food-service managers to pass the certification examination, as well as provide education regarding the safe handling of food, she said. Under the Texas Department of State Health Services jurisdiction, each food establishment is required to have one certified food manager on site. The certification is valid for five years.
Redwine said some of the known benefits of improved food safety include increased customer satisfaction, improved relationships with health officials, and prevention of bad publicity and lawsuits due to foodborne illness.
Leesa Wood Calvi, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent for Randall County, said individuals attending the course will learn to: identify potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling; prevent contamination and cross-contamination of food; teach and encourage personal hygiene for employees; comply with government regulations; maintain clean utensils, equipment and surroundings; and control pests.
For more information, call Redwine at 806-226-3021 or Wood Calvi at 806-468-5543.
-30-