FOOD SAFETY AoE RETREAT
Frankenmuth, Michigan
June 9-10, 2004

Attendees: Lillian Occena, Paul McConaughy, Beth Waitrovich, Joan Miller, Jeannie Nichols, Chris Venema, Joyce McGarry, Trent Wakenight, John Partridge, Jan Seitz, Lisa Treiber, Darci Seamon, Les Bourquin, Daisy Seremba, Sam Varghese, Gayle Coleman, Sue Shenk, Evelyn DeNike, Cindy Warren

I. Tour of Zenders’ kitchen and dinging rooms conducted by John Zender, Executive Chef.

II. Paul McConaughy provided an overview of the upcoming Thermometer Campaign planned to begin in August, 2004 in the Michigan counties of Ingham, Washtenaw and Kent (with Genesee County serving as the control county). The concept, background, goals and implementation plans were presented. Paul provided the retreat attendees with the same meat thermometers that will be distributed throughout the campaign. The planning calendar was presented and discussed.

III. Trent Wakenight provided an overview of the MDA mini-grants and discussed evaluation tools. Evaluations are needed to demonstrate impact, provide accountability and, to possibly assist in renewing or securing funding for this or similar projects.

IV. Lillian Occena has made arrangements for the Food Safety AoE to set up and staff a booth again at the Michigan Restaurant Association Expo in Novi in October. Anyone interested in working on this project can contact Lillian.

V. AoE budget status: there is approximately $18,000 in the AoE account (after retreat expenses). The status on carry-over into the next budget year is unknown, but it is likely that these dollars will not be carried forward. Future AoE funding will be based, primarily, on competitive grant funding.

VI. Workgroups: the three workgroups (Consumer Education, Professional Training and Social Marketing) met to discuss future plans and financial needs to accomplish their goals.

a. Competitive Fund Proposals must be written by each workgroup to secure necessary funding to carry out upcoming goals.
b. Please send the proposals to Cindy Warren on, or before, July 20th so they can be submitted by the deadline of August 1st. This will likely mean that the workgroup members will need to meet (or have a conference call, etc.) prior to this date to complete the writing of the proposal(s).

VII. Fall Extension Conference – The AoE will present a Food Safety Town Hall Meeting at the Fall Extension Conference on Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – noon. Toby TenEyck will coordinate this. Nadine Stafford from NSF and Evelyn DeNike have volunteered to participate on the panel (many thanks!). All other interested persons can let Toby know of their interest and availability.

VIII. Lillian Occena presented an overview of the Food Domain web site. Initial changes and updates have begun, but everyone’s input is both needed and welcome. Please check this site and contact Lillian with feedback so this can best reflect the AoE’s goals.

IX. Nadine Stafford from NSF presented their “Scrub Club” program which is a hand washing education program for children. A secondary goal was to increase the public’s knowledge of NSF as a leader in public health and safety initiatives. Nadine was seeking the group’s input regarding the type of characters that may be most effective and the best approaches in reaching children in their social marketing of this initiative. NSF would like to work with MSUE in a collaborative effort to make this a success. As the initiative develops, further information will become available.

X. The Media Packet usefulness and schedule was discussed. It was indicated that the media articles are very useful tools for Extension educators in writing news articles, programming information and updates.

The following individuals have volunteered to write the upcoming articles:
· John Partridge writing about the raw milk issue – due to Gail Herbert on August 30th (release date Oct. 1, 2004)
· Trent Wakenight writing about hand washing recommendations – due to Gail Herbert on Nov. 30th (release date Jan. 1, 2005)

XI. The work groups present gave a brief overview of upcoming plans. These will be expounded upon following the writing of Competitive Fund Proposals and the subsequent selections obtaining funding to proceed.

XII. The AoE will have to complete a year-end report by Sept. 30, 2004. Please keep a running list of food safety projects, programs, accomplishments, etc. that can be added. Cindy Warren will contact you for contributions in the fall.

XIII. During the November meeting, the AoE members will be electing the future off-campus AoE co-chair. Please consider volunteering for this position, or thinking about who would be a good candidate.

XIV. The AoE is always looking for new members that would help all of us expand the public’s knowledge and practices around food safety. If you know of any interested parties, invite them to join us.

XV. The next AoE meeting will take place on November 3, 2004 someplace on, or near, campus.

XVI. Please get your travel mileage information (to and from this retreat) to Cindy Warren so you can be reimbursed from the AoE account.

Contact information: Cindy Warren
120 N. Broadway, Suite 209
Cassopolis, MI 49031
warrenc@msue.msu.edu

XVII. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Cindy Warren, Extension Educator, Cass County
Food Safety AoE co-chair