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Food Smart Program

An Effective Practice

Description

The Food Smart Program was designed to overcome language and cultural barriers to provide effective safety training and education to Chinese food workers in Stratford. Historically, information about safe food-handling practices was provided primarily in English, but many food workers are not proficient in English. As a result, Asian food establishments have had a fairly problematic inspection history. The Food Smart Program contracted with a Chinese-speaking food safety trainer to conduct on-site training with each Asian food establishments in town and to train the inspection staff in Chinese words and phrases that will improve their ability to communicate with food service employees during inspections.

Goal / Mission

The program goals are to improve food-handling practices and improve communication between food service employees and inspection staff by providing language and culturally appropriate food safety training.

Results / Accomplishments

One hundred percent of the specific target population was reached by this intervention. The outcomes of this practice were: 1) improved average inspection scores, which were used as an indicator for improved food-handling practices and 2) an observed improvement in the inspection process. The program provided substantial help to the food establishments and enrichment for the inspection staff. The Asian food service establishments have already made a commitment to continue this training annually.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Stratford Health Department
Primary Contact
Maureen K. Whelan, Environmental Health Supervisor
Town of Stratford
468 Birdseye Street
Stratford, CT 06615
(203) 385-4090
Mwhelan@townofstratford.com
http://www.townofstratford.com
Topics
Health / Food Safety
Organization(s)
Stratford Health Department
Source
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Date of publication
2005
Date of implementation
10/1/2000
Location
Stratford, CT
For more details
Additional Audience
Food Service Workers
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance