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About Us
County Impact Statements - Pulaski County
Extension Improves Safety for Pulaski County Families
Eating Out
Pulaski County Health Department sanitarians report their work is much easier
and less time consuming at the food establishments where managers have
participated in The National Restaurant Association's ServSafeŽ classes taught
by the Cooperative Extension Service, the Health Department and the Arkansas
Hospitality Association. The sanitarians also report they now have more time to
spend with the problem establishments, working with them to establish safer food
handling practices. This has resulted in a safer food supply for Pulaski County
residents who eat their meals away from home. Raymond Heaggans, Environmental
Health Specialist with the Arkansas Health Department and a member of the
Pulaski County Extension Family Issue Committee, reported the changes to the
Extension agents. He also reported that many restaurants have been encouraged to
do their own ServSafeŽ training after seeing results of the Cooperative
Extension Training.
The ServSafeŽ program is offered through the National Restaurant Association
Educational Foundation. It is a nationwide program consisting of an eight or
sixteen hour course concluding with a exam which is sent to Chicago to be graded
by computer. Those who pass are awarded a certificate suitable for framing and
display at their place of business.
"Pulaski County Residents have a safer food supply when eating away from home
as a result of ServSafeŽ taught by Pulaski County Cooperative Extension Agents."
-Raymond Heaggans, Environmental Health Specialist Arkansas Health Department
ServSafeŽ graduates from Excelsior Hotel
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Impacts
- Consumer complaints to the Arkansas Health Department have been greatly
reduced from restaurants where managers have completed the ServSafeŽ food
safety course.
- 200 restaurant managers have been trained in food safety in the last five
years.
- 100 food service managers in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and
child day care centers have also been certified in ServSafeŽ curriculum in
September 2000.
- 160 Little Rock high school students who are employed part time completed a
three hour food safety course based on the ServSafeŽ curriculum in September
2000.
- Thousands of Pulaski County residents have been reached with food safety
information through community programs, meetings, and health fairs.
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