Food Safety

RICHMOND ? Retired Danville school superintendent Bob Rowland is serving as Eastern Kentucky University's educational extension agent for Boyle, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. And Kimi Snowden, who brings more than 10 years of experience in education, learning and development, and business, is serving as agent for Garrard, Lincoln and Casey counties. EKU announced the positions Thursday. Earlier this fall, EKU announced the placement of seven educational extension agents ?

Danville Food Services Director Patsy Clevenger said she had some very excited cafeteria managers on Tuesday afternoon. Two area school districts learned they were awarded competitive grant money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, an economic stimulus package enacted by Congress in February. Lincoln County and Danville Independent schools were awarded grants to purchase equipment for their school food service programs. Danville will receive $66,955 in grant money for new equipment.

In this age of the Internet, fast food, and synthetic everything, sometimes teaching a young person an old but important skill such as how to sort laundry, sew on a button, or bake a cake is incredibly satisfying, both for the adult and the youth involved. The Country Ham Project, which teaches youth how to cure a ham from start to finish and ends with a child providing the main course for a family dinner, creates exactly that experience for the families involved. You notice I said families, not just youth.

Protecting the health and safety of all who eat at Boyle County's food-service establishments is a top priority of the Boyle County Health Department. The health department routinely provides food safety training for the county's restaurant personnel, in addition to conducting at least two unannounced inspections each year. Key items of concern during inspections include employee practices and cleanliness, food protection during storage and preparation, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils, insect and rodent control, and the storage and use of toxic materials.

The Lincoln County Farmer's Market will be open beginning June 1. The farmer's market brings healthy foods to our communities and contributes to local economic sustainability. The farmer's market participates in the Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program which provides fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables from Lincoln County farmers. Many of these fruits and vegetables end up on the dinner tables of low-income seniors who are nutritionally at-risk. Food safety is an important concern for the citizens and farmers of Lincoln County.

Town and Country Homemakers met Tuesday, May 5, at the home of Sue Staton. Sue provided the meal using the Cinco de Mayo theme with a feast of Mexican food. Those in attendance were Betty Bonar, Sandy Hiles, Deanna Wright, Denise Knoble, Shirley Nickell, Megan DeCapio Connie Harms, Mary Lou Shearer, Sue Staton and Billye Jean Stigall. Guests were Hilda Standafer, Betty Aldridge and Delores Segress. Sue Staton read the inspiration, "God's Gift for Mothers," and gave a gift to the oldest grandmother, Betty Aldridge, and youngest mother, Megan DeCapio.

When it comes to talking turkey, there are several terms that confuse the average consumer when they go to purchase their holiday bird. Turkey is a large domesticated bird, which is believed to have originated in Turkey. They usually grow to full maturity within four to five months. No hormones have been approved for use in turkeys, but antibiotics may be given to prevent disease and increase feed efficiency. The United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service requires that birds go through a withdrawal period before a bird is slaughtered, assuring that no residues are present in the bird's system when it is sold.

LEXINGTON - The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Allied Industry Council and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) have partnered to create an opportunity for Kentucky high school juniors and seniors to attend the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium from Nov. 15-17. Attendees from Kentucky are: Alyson Rapp from Wallingford; Junior Young from Adolphus; Samantha Anderson from Winchester; Molly Stenger from Morganfield; Caroline Applegate from Maysville; and Blake Cooper from Richmond.

Cattle - as well as sheep and goat - producers and their veterinarians understand the need for effective antimicrobials and vaccines for the health of their herds. Animal drugs are carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration to protect the food supply from residues in meat and milk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection and Service conducts tests for chemicals - including antibiotics and various other drugs, pesticides and environmental chemicals - in meat, poultry and egg products destined for human consumption.

STANFORD - State surveyors recently determined that Stanford Health and Rehabilitation Center is in compliance with all state and federal nursing home regulations. The facility's inspection concluded Dec. 7. "We were pleased with the outcome of the survey. Staff work very hard to provide quality care to the residents we serve," said Kyle Privett, executive director of the center. "The survey results for the past three years are indications that staff care about the residents. " A team of state inspectors inspects nursing homes at least annually.