Health News For Champlain
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
Health Unit Food Safety Initiative Offers a One Time Free Food Safety Training Blitz
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, with the support of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and many of our municipal partners, is offering a one-time FREE food safety training blitz between the end of January and the end of March.
The goals of this blitz are to aid operators of food premises and food handlers in gaining access to up to date information on safe food handling strategies; compliance with applicable legislation; and the food premises disclosure system.
The Health Unit is attempting to reduce the cost, time and travel barriers to food establishments and to the citizens of our Health Unit area that would like to become certified food handlers. The $50.00 fee per person will be waived so attendance is at no cost. In order to reduce the distance to travel, the Health Unit will be offering the courses locally in each of the larger communities including: Almonte, Brockville, Gananoque, Kemptville, Prescott, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, and Perth. Two evening courses along with one course on a Saturday are also being offered. These alternate course delivery times will allow high school and post secondary students as well as others who often work in the food industry the opportunity to attend.
It is expected that the community as a whole will benefit from this initiative. The food industry or volunteer sector provides jobs that reach into many sectors including tourism, institutional food service, food processing, retail, as well as community food programs. “Well informed food handlers provide safer foods to the public, understand their responsibilities clearly and may improve the bottom line of a business,” says Jane Lyster, Director of Health Protection for the Tri-County Area.
Participants will receive a package containing course materials. Upon achieving a minimum of 70% on the post course exam participants will receive a Food Safety Training Certificate that they may post in their place of employment. These certificates are accepted by all health units across the province and are valid for a period of five years. Many jurisdictions across the province and the country require that food handlers have this training in order to work in a food premises.
Registration for this one-time no cost training blitz is on a first come-first served basis and is open to one operator/manager and one food handler per premises, as well as those seeking employment in the food industry, students, and volunteers working with food. Don’t miss this unique opportunity.
For more information on food safety, check the Health Unit website at www.healthunit.org, or call the Health Unit at 613-345-5685 in Brockville, 613-283-2740 in Smiths Falls or the Health ACTION Line at 1-800-660-5853 and ask to speak to a public health inspector.
CALL TO REGISTER FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSES:
DAYTIME COURSES (9:00 – 4:00):
Monday, January 31, 2011 – ALMONTE - Old Town Hall, 14 Bridge Street
Monday, February 7, 2011 - BROCKVILLE - Brockville Memorial Centre, Magedoma Blvd
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - PERTH - Perth Arena, 2 Beckwith Street East
Monday, February 28, 2011 – KEMPTVILLE - North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Road 44
Monday, March 7, 2011 - CARLETON PLACE - Carleton Place Community Centre, 75 Neelin Street
Monday, March 14, 2011 - SMITHS FALLS - Youth Arena Hall, Memorial Community Centre, 71 Cornelia Street West
Monday, March 21, 2011 - GANANOQUE - Lou Jeffries Arena, 600 King Street East
Monday, March 28, 2011 - PRESCOTT - Town Hall, 360 Dibble Street West
EVENING COURSES (6:00 – 9:30):
Part 1 Monday, March 7, 2011 - BROCKVILLE - 458 Laurier Blvd.
Part 2 Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Part 1 Monday, March 21, 2011 - SMITHS FALLS - 25 Johnston Street
Part 2 Tuesday, March 22, 2011
SATURDAY COURSE (9:00 – 4:00):
Saturday, March 26, 2011 – BROCKVILLE - 458 Laurier Blvd.
Contact: Jane Lyster, Director of Health Protection, 613-345-5685