KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County announced the 2006 schedule for training and testing sessions for food handlers needing a Food Worker Card. The full schedule is available at www.metrokc.gov/health/foodsfty/schedule.htm

Regular trainings are available throughout the year each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and two Fridays per month except on federal holidays. The cost of a food worker card is $10.00.

Locations and Times for Food Worker Training:

• Renton **new hours**
  Mondays at 2:30 p.m. for English, Spanish, Korean, and Russian students
  Mondays 5:30 p.m. for English, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Mandarin students
  
  Renton Technical College
  Campus Center, Building I, Main Cafeteria, Lower Level
  3000 NE 4^th St., Renton, WA  98056
  
  
• Downtown Seattle
  Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
  
  Exchange Building, 2nd and Marion St. 3rd Floor DCHS Board Room
  821 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
  Classes are limited to 80 people for each time period.
  
  
• Sand Point Magnuson Park in Northeast Seattle
  Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. for English, Korean and Russian students
  Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. for English, Spanish and Vietnamese students
  Wednesdays at 4 p.m. for English, Mandarin, and Cantonese students
  
  Garden Room, Community Activity Center, Building #406
  7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
  
  
• Woodinville -- two days per month
  Every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
  Sammamish Valley Grange
  14654 148th Ave. NE
  Woodinville, WA 98072
  
  
• The Bellevue Factoria Cinemas location is no longer being offered.

For more information about food worker training and testing at any of our sites, call 206-296-4791, or visit our website at www.metrokc.gov/health/foodsfty/foodhandlerscard.htm

What is a Food Worker Card?

The Food Worker Card is a permit to work with food being served to the public. Everyone who works in the food industry by preparing, cooking and/or serving food to the public must have a Food Worker Card. Those successfully completing the training and passing the required test will receive a Food Worker Card.

The training class lasts approximately 90 minutes. Participants are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early to complete registration materials.

Training materials and tests are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese and Russian. Please call or visit our website for details on availability of training in these languages.

To take the training and test for the Food Worker Card, applicants must:

• Be able to read the book and test, and to write out the registration form. If help is needed, the test-taker may bring a friend to assist.
• Photo ID is required.
• Bring $10.00 cash to pay for the Food Handler's Card.
• Arrive on time. Applicants will not be allowed in after the class has started.

Other important information:

• If renewing for a three or five year card, bring in the old card (or a copy) that expired less than 30 days ago, or will expire within the next 60 days.
• For a five-year card, bring in proof (certificate or card) showing completion of an approved food safety training class within the last two years.
• For bus information, call METRO at 206-553-3000 or visit their website for online bus schedules at: http://transit.metrokc.gov

Public Health – Seattle & King County is among the largest metropolitan health departments in the country, providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services that achieve and sustain safer and healthier communities for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County . Answering the needs of an increasingly diverse population, Public Health - Seattle & King County touches people's lives every day through health promotion and prevention activities, disease surveillance, health care, outreach and referral services, environmental health services, emergency medical care, jail health services, and readiness and response to public health emergencies.

# # #