Sonoma County's
Food Industry Advisory Forum
Four times per year , Sonoma County's Food Industry Advisory Forum (FIAF)
brings together restaurateurs, deli operators, winery hospitality directors,
caterers, temporary food facility operators, food service equipment dealers,
pest control operators, restaurant consultants, and Sonoma County health
inspectors to discuss, strategize and work together on substantive issues
affecting our common goal: Safe Food Handling Practices.
FIAF participants own, operate and work in a variety of food service
operations and businesses allied with the food service industry.
We meet quarterly on the fourth Thursday in January, April, July and
October, from 9-11 a.m., at locations around Sonoma County.
For more information about joining our lively group, please contact Betsy
Fischer at 707-577-8358 or Jerry Meshulam at 707-565-6540.
 Next
meeting date and location.
Significant Accomplishments
June 1994-July 2004
June 1994
First monthly meeting with representatives from local restaurants,
caterers, bed and breakfast inns, pest control operators, realtors,
food distributors, restaurant design and equipment sales, certified
farmers' markets and the Environmental Health Division of the Department
of Health Services. We have been meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each
month since 1994.
Food Handler Certification Program
FIAF was the impetus for development of Sonoma County's Food Handler
Certification Program, adopted by the Board of Supervisors in July
1997. During the program's three and a half years, 4,600 food handlers
received classroom training in food safety from Environmental Health
staff, and 7,299 food handlers demonstrated their knowledge of safe
food handling practices and successfully passed our certification examination.
Recognition of Excellence in Food Safety
In 2004, the Environmental Health Division recognized 1,078 food facilities
for their outstanding achievements in food safety with the Recognition
of Excellence in Food Safety. The awards will be presented annually.
Operators receive a window sticker and certificate to let their customers
know they met stringent requirements for food safety during the previous
year.
Special focus meetings
Expanded representation from selected segments of the food service
industry have worked on issues of special interest to:
- Wineries - food preparation and sales at tastings; weekend events;
winemaker dinners
- Caterers - fact sheet for prospective caterers; food transport
and preparation at offsite locations
- Temporary food facilities (fair booths) - food safety with limited
facilities
- Special event coordinators - discussion of needs and expectations
of coordinators.
These meetings have been especially useful to implement new policies
or laws that will improve food safety.
Legislation review
New laws are typically added to the California Uniform Retail Food
Facilities Law (CURFFL) each year. Copies of prospective bills are
provided and discussed to prepare for their implementation.
Inspection procedures
Proposed changes to inspection procedures and forms are discussed
at FIAF to provide input to the Environmental Health Division.
"Working Healthy" booklet
With the support of FIAF, a food safety-training booklet was produced
in English and Spanish for educating food handlers.
Customer feedback survey
FIAF members helped design a survey form that will provide important
feedback to assist the Environmental Health Division in providing the
best possible food safety program.
Questions, comments, suggestions? Send us email. | 
