GOVERNOR MARKELL HONORS THREE DELAWAREANS FOR RETAIL FOOD SAFETY

Governor Jack Markell honored three Delawareans for excellence in retail food safety Sept. 16 in his Dover office. Gov. Markell also signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 12-18 as Food Safety Education Week in Delaware.

"Delaware's food service industry continues to put great food on tables in front of customers and bring people in from states all over the region to support our economy," Governor Jack Markell said. "The industry also puts so many Delawareans to work so they can put food on their own tables at home. This effort makes clear their continued commitment to meet and exceed quality standards that Delawareans demand and the hospitality industry expects."

Winners of the 2010 Governor's Award for Excellence in Retail Food Safety are:

Service Organization -Janet Smith, kitchen manager of the Frederica Senior Center. Fred Rohm accepted the award in Ms. Smith's honor. Ms. Smith oversees the center's food operations that serve over 11,000 meals annually to 400 members and guests. This category represents churches, fire halls, fraternal organizations and senior centers.

Institutional Food Service -Carol Brooks, kitchen manager of Great New Beginnings Early Childhood Center in Bear. Ms. Brooks is responsible for the team that serves safe food to 350 students and 100 staff. This category represents cafeterias in schools and healthcare facilities.

Restaurant -Alison O'Shea, Fresh Food Manager of the Limestone Road Wawa store in Wilmington. Ms. O'Shea is responsible for safely serving food to 600,000 customers each year. This category covers small independents to large full-service establishments.

"The Delaware Restaurant Association values conscientious and committed efforts to provide safe foods and beverages to consumers," said Carrie Leischman, president.

Delaware Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf and Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay attended the ceremony. DPH regularly inspects and permits 3,700 retail food establishments within Delaware. These establishments reduce the risk of foodborne illness by applying science-based food safety regulations.

A photo of the winners is posted at: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/govawardpage.html.

PHOTO CAPTION : Governor Jack Markell awarded the 2010 Governor's Award for Excellence in Retail Food Safety to three Delawareans on Sept. 16. Pictured (from left to right) are: Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay, Governor Markell, Alison O'Shea of the Limestone Road Wawa in Wilmington; Carol Brooks of Great New Beginnings in Bear; Fred Rohm of the Frederica Senior Center, accepting on behalf of Janet Smith; and Delaware Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.