Certification course works to reduce E. coli contamination and other food borne illnesses

Suffern, NY—Workers in the food service industry can now receive training at Rockland Community College in safe food handling at a reduced price thanks to a state grant, which has eliminated the cost of the certification exam and textbook.  

The Workforce Development Grant of $40,000 was awarded to the RCC Hospitality Department by the State University of New York to train and certify as many food service workers as possible through the certification course Servsafe in order to improve the safety of food served in restaurants and grocery stores.  DeCicco's Marketplace contributed 10% to the grant, and in return, will receive onsite training for all 150 employees at their seven locations.                       

            Restaurants, hospitals and corporate food service establishments require employees such as managers, chefs, and servers to have ServSafe Certification. The Rockland County Department of Health will be referring food service employees to RCC to obtain this certification. ServSafe is approved by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). Topics include purchasing, receiving, storage, preparation, cleaning and sanitation, pest management and safety training. A certification exam will be given at the conclusion of the course.

The next course is offered:

Mon., Tues., & Thurs. Nov. 16, 17 & 19, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

FEE: $199

COURSE NUMBER: ESI 632 463

LOCATION: RCC Suffern Campus, Student Union, Room 3101

INSTRUCTOR: Scott Goldman, Certified Proctor and Instructor. In the restaurant industry for 25 years, Goldman has built, run and designed several food service establishments.

ServSafe is offered through the RCC Center for Personal & Professional Development (CPPD). To register, call the CPPD at (845) 574-4151 or register online at: www.sunyrockland.edu/go/servsafe. For more information about the course, contact Wendy Gordon, adjunct faculty, Hospitality, at 845-574-4551.

 The Center for Personal & Professional Development provides customized professional training to business and industry at the companies' location. To learn more about corporate training, contact Rich Syrek, Dean of Center for Personal & Professional Development, at (845) 574-4465 or visit www.sunyrockland.edugo/cppd