The Alaska Livestock Producers Association has scheduled their annual conference in Anchorage on February 21st and 22nd at the Anchorage Marriott Hotel.  The topics will cover Herd Health Management, Alaska Johnes ID Program and Agritourism. Sign up by contacting the Alaska Diversified Livestock Association or Cooperative Extension  Services at (907) 474-7269.

The State of Alaska's Food Safety and Sanitation program is pleased to announce that Tagalog tests are now available in hard copy and on the website. Unfortunately, the online test prep (video) is not yet available, but it's on their list for the next time we update the system.

Vietnamese tests are available in hard copy and on the website; however, a food worker taking the Vietnamese test online must change their Windows settings to allow for Asian languages in order for the test to show properly. Vietnamese test prep (video) is still available online.

The Food Worker Testing Site is at: http://alaska.state.gegov.com/foodworker/ If you need hard copies of tests in either language, please let Linda Adams (1-87-SAFE FOOD or 907-269-2008) know how many you need and the relative urgency with which you need them. We also want to remind you that the $10 charge for the food worker cards is still being waived (yes, you read it right - it's still FREE) and we have some "Frequently Asked Questions" answered on our website at: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/docs/fss/FactSheetFWCFPM.pdf (e.g., who needs the card, how long the card is valid, etc.).

As always, we appreciate your feedback and patience as we implement this new program.

Kimberly Stryker, Environmental Program Manager I
Food Safety & Sanitation
555 Cordova St
Anchorage AK 99501
907-269-7628
907-269-7510 fax

As of  this month, DEC has issued more than 10,000 food worker cards!!!! This is a major milestone and we appreciate your commitment to food safety in Alaska!

WUSATA is a non-profit trade association comprised of the 13 western State Departments of Agriculture and their funded agricultural agencies.  (If you are outside of these 13 states regional area of WUSATA, check out other regional programs here.) They administer programs funded in-part through the USDA/FAS Market Access Program (MAP) which help small agribusinesses to grow their global markets.

The Alaska Product Preference (APP), AS 36.30.332 is one of eight State of Alaska preferences applied to in-state bids on State contracts, or proposals in response to a request for proposal. Under the State’s procurement code, the Alaska Product Preference can provide a local bidder or offeror with a cost preference between three and seven percent.  More information and link below.

Seoul International Seafood show focuses on health and well-being.
Please contact Tom Asakawa in Tokyo for more information.  See event information below and his contact information.

In May 2004, over 300 patrons of a South Carolina restaurant became ill after they ate undercooked turkey contaminated with salmonella. More than 50 people were hospitalized and one person died. The restaurant had no history of foodborne illness and had recently received an inspection rating of “excellent.”

by Amy Petit, Division Of Agriculture

During the call for Country of Origin Labeling, there was much curiosity and discussion on the implementation of the new laws and their timelines. Amy Petit, Development Specialist for the Division of Agriculture (State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources) provides an update.
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Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC)
Alaska Culinary Academy
Annual Guest Chef Dinner


Featured Guest Chef
Isidra Castro


The Alaska Vocational Technical Center's Alaska Culinary Academy cordially invites you to an elegant evening of fine dining at our 7th Annual Guest Chef Dinner.  The proceeds from the dinner provide scholarships to help fund Culinary students training at AVTEC.

Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007
No Host Bar at 6:30pm
Dinner at 7:00pm
Live music provided

AVTEC Student Service Center Lounge
519 Fourth Avenue

Cost:  $65 per person, cash or check at the door or via credit card y calling 800.478.5389.

Reservations are required.  Seating is limited to 70 and can be made by contacting Linda Carpenter (below).

MENU

Appetizer
Wakame Sushi Roll

Salad
Mung Bean Salad wih gingered Scallops wrapped in swiss chard with marinated vegetables and Thai Vinaigrette

Entree
Young Coconut Pad Thai with almond-chile sauce and crispy Shrimp

Curried Crab Crepes with yogurt sauce

Dessert
Tropical Fruit Spring Rolls with coconut sorbet

This is the dinner that Culinary holds annually to raise funds towards scholarships for culinary students. This is the seventh annual dinner. The department invites chefs from around the state who develop the menu and the recipes. The culinary students prepare and serve the food. The money made from ticket sales after the cost of food goes towards the scholarship. The scholarship is for culinary students currently enrolled in the program. The recipients are chosen by a panel based on their grades, student standing and their financial need. There are usually two students each year that receive a scholarship check. The average amount awarded every year has been approximately $1,200.



Linda Carpenter
AVTEC Administration
809 2nd Avenue
Seward, AK 99664
(907) 224-4163 (907) 224-4144 fax

AMS (USDA) Announces Reorganization and Leadership Change

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently announced organizational
and structural changes for National Organic Program (NOP) after
five-plus years of program implementation. "The NOP has been
experiencing growing pains along with the organic industry," said Lloyd
Day, administrator of AMS, which oversees the NOP, "and this new year
brings an opportunity to make changes in the Program to keep up with
growth in the organic industry."

The Alaska Culinary Association touts its support of wild fisheries.