BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) – The Crawford County Board of Health celebrated local food establishments for their exceptional food safety practices at its March 20, 2024 meeting. Board President Zach Wolfe signed the 2023 Food Safety Award winner certificates, acknowledging the efforts of local eateries, schools, retail stores, and nursing homes in serving the public.
The annual Food Safety Award Program, initiated by Crawford County Public Health (CCPH) in 2013, recognizes outstanding local food establishments. The food licensing year in Ohio runs from March 1st through the end of February of the following year.
Out of 114 eligible Class 3 and Class 4 license holders, 43 facilities received either a Superior or Excellent Food Safety Award. Superior Award winners had zero violations of any kind during the entire year, while Excellent Award winners had no critical violations and no more than three non-critical violations.
Among the Superior Award winners were Altercare of Bucyrus, Arby’s (Bucyrus), Bucyrus Elementary School, and Bucyrus High School. Excellent Award winners included Baker’s Pizza (Bucyrus), BAY Soccer (Bucyrus Area Youth Soccer), and Buckeye Central Schools (New Washington).
Three facilities, Buckeye Central Schools, Little Athens, and Wynford Elementary, were acknowledged for receiving a food safety award for all eleven years of the program’s existence.
Michael Graves, the Registered Environmental Health Specialist leading the food safety program, praised the award winners. “This is the largest number of facilities we have ever recognized with food safety awards,” he said. “It is not easy to achieve either of the award levels and it is great to see so many places recognized for their efforts.”
The Board of Health also recognized the reappointments of Dean Sipe and Dr. Stephen Novack for another 5-year term. The March board meeting concluded with a review of the 2023 Annual Report, highlighting the programs and activities for all five divisions.
