NACCHO recently announced Minneapolis Environmental Health as the recipient of the 2019 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection at the Local Level. This award is given annually to local environmental health jurisdictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to their communities.
The jury reviewing Crumbine Award nominations, consisting of outstanding public health practitioners, were impressed with Minneapolis Environmental Health efforts in the following ways:
- Strong evidence of quality assurance through use of peer inspections including inter-agency inspections.
- The Serving Safety program growth from 2013 to 2018.
- Comprehensive response to emerging food trends.
- Strong outreach programs especially with respect to the numerous ethnic communities served and developing materials and training that is culturally diverse and appropriate.
- Increase in staff resources which represents monumental accomplishments.
- Effective large-scale planning efforts to reduce foodborne illness risk factors at public events.
“The food industry is rooted in the American dream,” said Daniel Huff, City of Minneapolis director of Environmental Health. “Start by washing dishes and work your way up, craft your family’s secret recipes or start the hot new food truck – whatever your path, this business is about economic inclusion. With Minneapolis nationally cited as a foodie destination, we support businesses so they can provide safe food and thrive as important, inclusive parts of our local economy. Our approach of culturally relevant training first and enforcement last has improved food safety in cultural communities; kept up with emerging food trends; and had monumental results for economic inclusion, public health and health equity.”
Named for one of America’s most renowned health officers and health educators, Samuel J. Crumbine, MD (1862-1954), the award encourages innovative programs and methods that reduce or eliminate the occurrence of foodborne illnesses, recognizes the importance of food protection at the local level, and stimulates public interest in food service sanitation.
“Year after year, we hear news of food-borne illness and the extensive impact a single instance can have on the health and well-being of families in this country,” said NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Lori Tremmel Freeman, MBA. “Populations that are more vulnerable, such as children and the elderly, are especially at risk. Local public health response to food-borne illness and outbreaks remains a critical and core function within communities. The Crumbine Award recognizes innovation and best practice in food safety, as well as promotes the concept of spread. Health departments that are demonstrating outstanding work based on science and evidence deserve our recognition so that their successes can be replicated for the benefit of other communities.”
The Crumbine Award is supported by the Conference for Food Protection, in cooperation with the American Academy of Sanitarians, American Public Health Association, Association of Food and Drug Officials, Food Marketing Institute, Foodservice Packaging Institute, International Association for Food Protection, National Association of County and City Health Officials, National Environmental Health Association National Restaurant Association, and UL LLC.
As the 2019 Crumbine Award winner, Minneapolis Environmental Health will be honored at the Annual Educational Conference of the National Environmental Health Association on July 11 in Nashville, at the International Association for Food Protection on July 24 in Louisville and at NACCHO’s Annual Conference on July 10 in Orlando.
Minneapolis Environmental Health
Minneapolis is Minnesota’s largest city: home to more than 400,000 residents and more than 44,000 businesses. Thirteen City Council members from individual wards and a mayor are elected for four-year terms and determine the budget and City policy. Twenty-two City departments provide a wide range of internal and public services. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, visit minneapolismn.gov, call 311 or follow the City on Twitter @CityMinneapolis and on Facebook at fb.me/cityofminneapolis.
