Schools have cleanest kitchens in town

If cleanliness is next to godliness, as the proverb goes, then Columbia County's school lunchrooms are downright heavenly.

//

Even the swankiest restaurants in town can't hold a spatula to the public school cafeterias. During the Columbia County Health Department's recent series of routine inspections, school lunchrooms didn't just pass - every single one scored a perfect 100. That's phenomenal.

It isn't the first time, either. The school system's cafeterias routinely ace health inspections. "Food safety is a priority for us. We have very high expectations," School Nutrition Services Director Jane Wiggins told education writer Betsy Gilliland.

Wiggins ought to know: She's also an instructor in the ServSafe program. Every school cafeteria in Columbia County is certified through ServSafe, a program of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation that provides guidelines for safe, clean food handling and preparation.

There's little doubt the extra certification, and the push for additional training for nutrition staff, has given the school cafeterias the boost they need to consistently zip through the white-glove tests.

Check it out for yourself. The week of Oct. 15-19 is National School Lunch Week. It's a great time to join your children in the lunch line. An adult meal costs just $3, so you can't beat the price. And you can't beat the cleanliness!