At the Extension

Food safety class to be held in Durango

A poor review from the health inspector published in the newspaper can easily cost negative publicity for a food service operation, and the La Plata County Extension Office is offering a course to help servers improve the quality and safety of their service.

A program sponsored by the Colorado State University – La Plata County Extension Office fulfills Colorado Department of Health Requirements and needs. It will be held 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 5 at the La Plata Fairgrounds Extension Building, 2500 Main Ave., Durango. Pre-registration is required.

The 4-hour course for restaurant food service workers covers the basic requirements for safe food handling and can fulfill requirements for Cottage Food Tier 1 producers as well. The class is available for non-English speakers as well.

Cost for the program is $35 per person. After successful completion of exam, attendees receive a Food Safety Works Wallet Card good for a year.

For more information, contact Wendy Rice at the Extension Office at (970) 382-6461.

Training for cottage food producers

Classes on required training for Colorado cottage food and egg producers will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 6, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave., Durango.

The classes are sponsored by Colorado State University – La Plata County Extension Office in cooperation with Colorado Department of Health and Environment for Food Safety.

The one-day course will cover the requirements for cottage food as a business including topics such as: food safety, safe food handling, cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; temperature control for safe food preparation, storage, transport and sales, ingredient labeling and disclaimer requirements. The business specifics and current expectations for selling specific food items produced in your home kitchen and for the selling of backyard eggs.

This is the last opportunity to take this class until fall.

Each class costs $30 per person. Attendees will receive a certificate for display. Preregistration is required no later than 5 p.m. on April 1.

Details: Wendy Rice, 970-382-6461 or wendy.rice@co.laplata.co.us

To pre-register, contact: Angela Fountain, 970-382-6465 or fountainaj@co.laplata.co.us.

ServSafe food training scheduled

ServSafe food protection manager certification training will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 13, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building’s Florida Room, 2500 Main Ave., Durango.

The course is sponsored by Colorado State University – La Plata County Extension Office.

ServSafe is a nationally recognized comprehensive food safety training developed by the National Restaurant Association. Food service managers and cottage foods producers will benefit from this highest level of food safety training. After completing the test with 75 percent or higher, participants will receive a ServSafe certificate, valid for five years.

Cost is $120 per person. Attendees receive a course textbook and final exam along with the training. Each additional associate from the same site and employer costs $75 with a shared book. The final online exam costs an additional $35, on your laptop.

Details: Wendy Rice at (970) 382-6461.

Pre-register at the Extension Office. Pre-registration and full payment are due no later than April 6.

The Journal