A RURAL EXPERIENCE

CHALLENGES Tyranny of distance training in Adelaide 4 hour round trip for inspections Ability of remote businesses to access equipment: Thermometers, sanitisers etc. Training in Adelaide 4hr round trip for inspections Remote businesses – difficult to access equipment (eg Probe thermometer, food grade sanitisers), some don’t even have mobile or internet access

REACTION FROM RURAL COMMUNITY MORE CHALLENGES Our EHO’s live in the community Please explain…. longer inspections initially - Suspicious about change REACTION FROM RURAL COMMUNITY Relationships stronger: less change of ownership Local hotel would not display 3 star certificate Living in the community means everyone knows everyone, business owners see us at the local footy/ supermarket, we eat at local businesses – high profile in local community Initially inspections took longer - Owners wanted every detail on the change of forms, certificates - plus country folk like to chat and think we have all the time in the world – often don’t like change Some are worried about change – times are tough in some small towns and businesses are under a lot financial pressure – they were concerned that the inspection/certificate would cost

LESSONS LEARNT There are some different considerations from a rural perspective But similar food safety issues Good level of compliance 53.6% of businesses overall received a certificate Around 90% rural businesses received a certificate Good relationships contribute to good food safety outcomes Although there are some differences – it was interesting to see that the basic food safety issues remained the same. The major non-conformance issues were the same across the Councils. We are able to develop a good relationship with our businesses – they see us more – and business ownership tends to not change as often.

Had several businesses wanting a ‘selfie’ as I handed them their certificate. WE MADE FACEBOOK! This one got posted before I even got out their door!