1. A RURAL EXPERIENCE

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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!