Do you currently have a position handling food, or are you looking for a job in the food industry? If so, consider becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires retail food establishment managers to obtain an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate. This requirement helps ensure consumers’ safety when eating away from home.

Those receiving this certification have specialized training regarding the safe handling, preparation, and storage of food to help prevent foodborne-related illnesses. The certificate is valid for five years from the exam date and must be retaken once the certificate expires.

University of Illinois Extension will hold the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) course on Tuesday, March 5, from 9 am to 3 pm AND Friday, March 8, from 8:30 am to 3 pm at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, 210 W. Spring Street, Freeport, IL. Participants must attend the full two-day training to be eligible for the exam. Please bring a valid photo ID and arrive 15 minutes early to check-in.

There is a $125 program fee to cover this educational session. This fee covers the purchase of educational materials, examinations, and lunch. Preregistration is required. To register, contact U of I Extension (815) 235-4125 or online at go.illinois.edu/jsw .

If you or members of your organization need food handler training for non-restaurant food handles, we offer that class, too! Contact our local office to learn more.

Please contact U of I Extension at (815) 235-4125 if you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Diane Reinhold is a University of Illinois Extension, Nutrition, and Wellness Educator and registered dietitian. For more about upcoming programming on nutrition and wellness, visit go.illinois.edu/jsw or call (815) 235-4125.