Freeport, IL----Do you currently have a position handling food, or are you looking to find a job in the food industry? If so, consider getting your Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification. 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 to ensure the safety of consumers 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 a certificate expires.

The class will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, AND from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 25, at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, 210 W. Spring Street, Freeport, IL. Participants must be present for the full two-day training to be eligible to take the exam. Please bring a valid photo ID and arrive 15 minutes early to check in.

There is a $100 program fee to cover this educational session. This fee covers the purchase of the workbook, educational materials, and examination. Pre-registration is required due to limited space. To register contact the University of Illinois Extension at (815) 235-4125 or visit us online at go.illinois.edu/jsw .

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Extension Office at (815) 235-4125. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting 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.