Food Handler's Course

Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Wise County provides a Food Protection Management Training Program that seeks to reduce the risk of food borne illness. 

Food service employees and those who operate a cottage food business can attend a two hour food handler’s class on Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Wise County Extension office in Decatur to learn more about good personal hygiene, cross contamination and time and temperature abuse. The registration fee is $20.00 and covers course materials and an official food handler card. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, October 16.  Space is limited.

The Texas Cottage Food Law requires that anyone who operates a cottage food business have a food handler card.  The food law allows the following list of foods that can be sold: baked goods, jams and jellies, dried herbs, pickles, popcorn snacks, candy, unroasted nut butters, and vinegar. These foods can also be sold at venues outside the home including farmers markets, roadside stands, and fairs. 

For questions concerning the food handler class or the Texas Cottage Food Law please call 940/627-3341 or come by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s, Wise County Office, 206 S. State St., Decatur, Texas 76234. The Food Protection Management (FPM) Training Program is brought to you by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the County Commissioners Court Cooperating.

Food Handler’s Course

Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Wise County provides a Food Protection Management Training Program that seeks to reduce the risk of food borne illness. 

Food service employees and those who operate a cottage food business can attend a two hour food handler’s class on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Wise County Extension office in Decatur to learn more about good personal hygiene, cross contamination and time and temperature abuse. The registration fee is $20.00 and covers course materials and an official food handler card. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, July 17. Space is limited.

The Texas Cottage Food Law requires that anyone who operates a cottage food business have a food handler card.  The food law allows the following list of foods that can be sold: baked goods, jams and jellies, dried herbs, pickles, popcorn snacks, candy, unroasted nut butters, and vinegar. These foods can also be sold at venues outside the home including farmers markets, roadside stands, and fairs. 

For questions concerning the food handler class or the Texas Cottage Food Law please call 940/627-3341 or come by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s, Wise County Office, 206 S. State St., Decatur, Texas 76234. The Food Protection Management (FPM) Training Program is brought to you by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the County Commissioners Court Cooperating.

Cleaning the Kitchen Cupboard: Toss or Save?

Have you looked — REALLY looked — at the foods in your kitchen cupboards lately? Is it time to bid some foods a fond farewell? Can you “revive” some aging foods so they still can be used? Read on for tips from Nebraska Extension specialists to help you decide whether to toss, move or try to save common kitchen cupboard foods.

The following storage tips are based on food stored at a room temperature of about 70° F. The times are those generally cited for maintaining best food quality. A range of times and the more conservative recommendations are given to allow for age of the product when purchased, how long it has been open, etc. READ LABELS CAREFULLY — they often contain important storage information and recommended “use by” dates.

·         Baking Powder — 12 to 18 months or expiration date on container.

•  Storage Tip: Store tightly covered in a dry place. Make sure measuring utensils are dry before dipping into the container. Testing for Freshness: Mix 1 teaspoon baking powder with 1/3 cup hot water. If it foams vigorously, it still has rising power.

·         Baking Soda — 12 to 18 months or expiration date on container.

• Storage Tip: Store tightly covered in a dry place. Make sure measuring utensils are dry before dipping them into the container. Testing for Freshness: Place 1-1/2 teaspoons in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon vinegar. If it fizzes, then it will still help leaven a food. If it doesn’t fizz, use it as an odor catcher in the refrigerator.

·         Shortening — 3 to 8 months opened; 8 to 12 months unopened

• Storage Tip #1: Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dark place.

• Storage Tip #2: Times reported by shortening companies and other sources varied. For more specifics, contact the company for more information.

• Storage Tip #3: Shortening that has been stored too long will go rancid and develop an undesirable taste and odor. If you haven’t used a shortening for a while, smell it before using it in a recipe.

·         Canned Foods — 1 to 2 years

• Storage Tip #1: The Canned Food Alliance <www.mealtime.org> recommends eating canned food within 2 years of PROCESSING for best quality. Many cans will include a “for best quality use by” date stamped somewhere on the can. In a well-run and busy store there should be a fairly constant turnover of canned goods, with cans on the shelf only a short time before you purchase them, according to the Canned Food Alliance. Some products contain a code, which varies among companies, that identifies the production date. If you have a concern over how old a food is, call the company’s toll-free number (if listed on the can) or write to the address on the can.

• Storage Tip #2: Avoid refrigerating OPENED canned foods in their can. Food can develop an off-odor from the can, once opened. Transfer to another storage container.

Don’t hesitate to contact the Extension office at (940) 627-3341 for further information on whether to toss, mover or try to save common kitchen cupboard foods.

Food Handler’s Course

Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Wise County provides a Food Protection Management Training Program that seeks to reduce the risk of food borne illness. 

The “Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER)” was revised and updated and became effective October 11, 2015.  A major change in the revision now requires all food employees to complete an accredited food handlers training program within 60 days of employment.  The Texas Cottage Food Law also requires that anyone who operates a cottage food business have a food handler card. 

Food service employees and those who operate a cottage food business can attend a two hour Food Handler’s Class, accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services, on Wednesday, January 17 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Wise County office located at 206 S. State Street in Decatur. 

This 2 hour course will now be required for all food service employees to help promote the service of safe food.  The certificate is good for 2 years and is valid anywhere in the State of Texas. Participants will learn about good personal hygiene, cross contamination and time and temperature abuse.

Contact the Extension office at 940/627-3341 to sign up.  The registration fee is $20.00 and covers course materials and an official food handler card.  Registration deadline for the Food Handler certification course is Tuesday, January 16, 2018.  Space is limited. 

Individuals with disabilities who require auxiliary aide service or accommodation in order to participate in the event are encouraged to contact our office within 5 working days prior to the program.  Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, national origin or genetic information or veteran status.

The class is taught in English, but Spanish handouts are available if requested in advance.

The Food Protection Management (FPM) Training Program is brought to you by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the County Commissioners Court Cooperating.

Food Handler’s Course

Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Wise County provides a Food Protection Management Training Program that seeks to reduce the risk of food borne illness. 

The “Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER)” was revised and updated and became effective in 2015. A major change in the revision now requires all food employees to complete an accredited food handlers training program within 60 days of employment.  The Texas Cottage Food Law also requires that anyone who operates a cottage food business have a food handler card. 

Food service employees and those who operate a cottage food business can attend a two hour Food Handler’s Class, accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services, on Wednesday, November 8 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Wise County office located at 206 S. State Street in Decatur. 

This 2 hour course will now be required for all food service employees to help promote the service of safe food.  The certificate is good for 2 years and is valid anywhere in the State of Texas. Participants will learn about good personal hygiene, cross contamination and time and temperature abuse.

Contact the Extension office at 940/627-3341 to sign up.  The registration fee is $20.00 and covers course materials and an official food handler card.  Registration deadline for the Food Handler certification course is Monday, November 6, 2017.  Space is limited. 

Individuals with disabilities who require auxiliary aide service or accommodation in order to participate in the event are encouraged to contact our office within 7 working days prior to the program.  Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, national origin or genetic information or veteran status.

The class is taught in English, but Spanish handouts are available if requested in advance.

The Food Protection Management (FPM) Training Program is brought to you by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the County Commissioners Court Cooperating.