Posts: 1155
From:Chama,New Mexico, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted February 05, 2004 09:42 AM            

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Hello Sisters and Brothers!
I just wanted to jump start Food safety awareness in 2004. Knowledge is power and it is not only good but necessary to have and maintain to reinforce food safety as a basis for all we do. Personally I proclaim that in Food Safety is how we praise the Lord! It is how we show His Love..by caring so much on what he wants us to do to glorify Him. Here of late we have had persons expressing concerns thinking they may have got sick from eating food served at our establishment. Even if it isn't true..it is a reminder from the Lord that Food safety HAS to be our major concern.
For those of you new to this thread I am the Director of the Food Service Ministry at the Nashville Rescue Mission, and as such I have to deal with donated and *dated* donations of food. I like to say "Food is power...are you in control of yours?"
As we all know Knowledge and Food go hand in hand so that we can be the co-creators with our Father the Creator that He wants us to be!
I found this very excellent article in my researching...I encourage you all to read it...and implement some of the Appendices at the end of the article, policies, quizzes and such. http://www.hi-tm.com/Documents/Safehands.html

As in our spiritual life vigilance is at the forefront of our professional lives also. I pray you are all blessed in your feeding ministry and witnessing to how much He Loves us in all we do...

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In HIS Grip,
Leo Griego
Work webpage:
www.nashvillerescuemission.org
Personal webpage:
www.geocities.com/leo_d_lyon

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Posts: 761
From:Between Klamath Falls & Ashland, Southern Oregon
Registered: Jun 99

posted February 05, 2004 12:40 PM               

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That's an interesting article with alot of good to know facts. A good reminder to always wash our hands AND to keep an eye on others where we work to do so as well.

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Posts: 1155
From:Chama,New Mexico, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted February 05, 2004 08:07 PM            

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Amen! And to wash them properly...we have gone to a double washing here...our utmost for His Highest!

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In HIS Grip,
Leo Griego
Work webpage:
www.nashvillerescuemission.org
Personal webpage:
www.geocities.com/leo_d_lyon

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Posts: 1155
From:Chama,New Mexico, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted February 27, 2004 12:59 PM            

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Amen! And it is our chance to *preach*..As Chefs and as followers of Jesus...doing what is right all the time...I think we all know of how we have all *cheated* at some point in our careers as concerns food prep…some fairly minor (i.e. throwing a chicken breast into the microwave to par cook it or finish it because we were in a hurry or blew it and got behind)...some seriously dangerous...(i.e. wiping our hands on our aprons after throwing the chicken breast in the mic and not washing properly because we were in a hurry)...When we see or even hear about a violation of food safety standards we must at that point speak not only to the issue and person but to the staff at large to edify and empower them. I believe it is fair to use that as a teaching moment...reminding them of what’s right ( your SOP) letting them know how important it is. It’s a quick way of reinforcing your SOP ( our SOP’s should be at the minimum the local health dept. standards remembering to *render unto Caesar...* MARK12:17 and to submit to authorities ROM 13:1). I do want to say it is not to point out a staff member to their embarrasment..you have to deal with them as a professional manager you are as we are here to build up each other as we build up the body of Christ. But Zeal for the House has to be your underlying motivation.
I personally say that Food Safety is how we show the Love of Christ to our guests. As professional Chefs we are always striving to get the best out of our staff...hey the better they are the better we look Amen? As supervisors ( dictionary definition:To oversee for direction; to superintend; to inspect with authority) we don't have to *do * the job, just see that it is done to your standards...and ultimately His standards. As we are in authority we must remember where that authority came from…from God...reminds me of the words of a song...
We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land...but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand...as we plow remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:10
Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.
We plow the fields of our workplace...and harvest our paychecks...We also plow and plant and nurture the people God gave us authority over...watering by our witness to His Love by who we are in Christ and what we do as followers of Jesus our Lord and Savior. And we do it by Food Safety. And we will harvest His recognition that we are doing our best to keep His bride pure and Holy. Remember this when you proclaim to the back of the house getting as much eye contact with everyone " I don't see the hand sink being used! Its important! Let's keep it right people!" And pray that they are either convicted ( as the apostles asked themselves "is it me?")or made aware that you care and want them to care also...praising them on a job well done whether it was nice knife technique, beautiful looking cover, or perfectly washed hands...

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In HIS Grip,
Leo Griego
Work webpage:
www.nashvillerescuemission.org
Personal webpage:
www.geocities.com/leo_d_lyon

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Posts: 761
From:Between Klamath Falls & Ashland, Southern Oregon
Registered: Jun 99

posted February 27, 2004 03:00 PM               

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I agree Leo - there's a sincere effort that it takes to continously encourage people to work sanitarily.

One thing I found fairly humorous about the article you linked to was this quote:

quote:

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"Consumer Reports reviewed toilet paper performance and found a wide variation among samples tested in wet strength, tear resistance, and absorbency. As long as there are no performance standards, or standards for use, no one should assume that toilet paper provides an effective barrier to keep fingertips free of fecal pathogens."

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Does he really think that if there was a "performance standard" on toilet paper that we wouldn't have to wash our hands afterwards - ewww! lol

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Posts: 1155
From:Chama,New Mexico, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted February 27, 2004 06:51 PM            

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chuckles....you are right...even though they were making the larger point of NOT trusting...don't forget some of the more horrendous stats about % of people who do not was after using the toilet...really ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!

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