OFPA Awards 2009

Visit our web site for more info!!

Golf Tournament A Great Success!

I want to be the first to congratulate Darcy Segin, Marc Charlton, and Waylon Sharp for putting together a perfect golf tournament. It ran tickity boo!!! And no hitches, and lots of happy golfers. Lots of smiles, good food and good company….

Special thanks to Darcy and the team arranging for the handouts: cookies, golf tees, sunscreen, dry pepperonis, two bite brownies, reusable shopping bags and on and on. Thanks to Darcy for arranging for the water bottles and trophies, and the dinner (steak was great). And, with Marc, Debra and Darcy preparing the promotions and handouts, the registration was a smooth and quick process.

Also a special thanks to Heidi Hesch who was the perfect public relations rep for the OFPA. Heidi handled the photographs, and getting the teams’ pictures printed and distributed; collected the golf cards, co-ordinated the draw tickets, and more..... As a whole she did a great job!!!

Many hands make light work. So, my thanks to all. (Because the day was seamless, if I missed anyone, my apologies). As an aside, I actually had time to enjoy the festivities. Thank you.

It was a total success, and I heard many say they were looking forward to next year’s event – using the same programme!!! Well done.

Gail (Evans) Seeds

Dinner and Technical Meeting - Dr. Randall Huffman - Listeria Policy

A Dinner Meeting and Technical Session is hosted by the Guelph Section of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST). Dr. Randall Huffman, the new Chief Food Safety Office at Maple Leaf Foods will be speaking on “Listeria Policy: Food safety initiatives at Maple Leaf Foods”. The event is being at the Delta Guelph Hotel on Wednesday, June 17th at 6 p.m. Payment is due (cheque only) by June 10, discounted early registration ends May 25th.
Follow this link for more info: https://secure.cifst.ca/default.asp?id=921

CONGRATULATIONS OFPA!

The Int'l Association for Food Protection (IAFP) has selected the OFPA to receive the 2009 C.B. Shogren Memorial Award for our overall, exceptional achievement in promoting the mission of the IAFP!
I want to congratulate Gail Seeds and all the members of the Board for their contributions and hard work during 2008 which was necessary to achieve this honour. I will be pleased to accept the Award on behalf of the OFPA at the 2009 IAFP Awards banquet in Grapevine, Texas.
Again, my sincere congratulations and thanks - we are very proud of this accomplishment!

Mike Cassidy
President of the OFPA

Following the April 1st, 2009 announcement of Growing Forward, we are pleased to launch the Food Safety and Traceability Initiative (FSTI), part of the Best Practice Suite. As you are aware, Growing Forward supports the development and implementation of best practices in four key areas:
· environment and climate change
· food safety and traceability
· business development
· biosecurity.

Participants are encouraged to develop strategies across all these areas to meet their business goals through a variety of information sessions and workshops, as well as one-on-one training and technical assistance. In addition, an Innovation and Science Suite encourages and supports ongoing research and the commercialization of research.

The Food Safety and Traceability Initiative is a cost-share funding program, developed to assist agriculture and agri-food facilities improve food safety practices and traceability systems in their operations. Improvements to food safety and traceability will strengthen Ontario’s ability to provide safe, high quality food and provide economic advantages to our farmers and food processors.

The FSTI was developed by the Food Safety Programs Branch and will be administered jointly with the Rural Community Development Branch. For more details about the FSTI please contact us by:
· phone: 1-888-479-3931
· website: www.ontario.ca/foodsafety
· e-mail: fsti.omafra@ontario.ca

If you would like more information on Growing Forward, the Best Practice Suite and/or the Innovation and Science Suite, please contact us by:
· phone: 1-888-479-3931
· website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/index
· email: growingforward@ontario.ca

Infection Control in the Workplace eLearning...

Infection Control in the Workplace eLearning...

Deb Canada today announced the launch of a new eLearning initiative starting with its Infection Control in the Workplace Program.

Available across Canada, this on-demand and interactive series was developed to help educate the importance of effective hand hygiene practices in the workplace.

Flash Presentation....