Jefferson County Health Department received grant funding through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the amount of $159,130 to be utilized February 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024. Funding will be used to implement a retail food grading system and to plan and further develop a retail food program in Jefferson County.
Part of the grant funding will be utilized to implement a retail food grading system in Jefferson County which will provide ‘grades’ to food service establishments based on adherence to Jefferson County Food Code. JCHD Environmental team will reference the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practices Program which contains information on a grading implementation guide, policies and procedures, and best practices for post-implementation.
Funding will also support the health department’s focus on the planning and further development of its retail food program based on the nine FDA Retail Program Standards. These nine standards include:
Regulatory Foundation
Trained Regulatory Staff
Inspection Program based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Principles
Uniform Inspection Program
Foodborne Illness and Food Defense Preparedness and Response
Compliance and Enforcement
Industry and Community Relations
Program Support and Resources
Program Assessment
“We are grateful for this grant funding from the FDA to support and improve our food service establishments here in Jefferson County,” states Jefferson County Health Department Environmental Supervisor, Nicole Thornton. “We will be involving residents of Jefferson County to receive feedback during the design and implementation process.”