Food Safety seminar at BBCC Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC) is sponsoring a half-day long seminar on Tuesday to help farmers and food processors comply with federal and state safety and environmental laws.

“It’s really a place to bring questions,” said Allan Peterson, business development manager for the EDC.

The seminar will feature presentations from Michael Johnson, a consulting engineer who specializes in helping companies comply with state and federal water laws; Craig Doan, a foods safety specialist who helps Washington companies meet food safety standards; and a lunch conversation with Aaron Everett, the director of the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance.

Peterson said that Gov. Jay Inslee created the office to help farmers and businesses navigate the state and federal regulatory process.

“It helps things move smoothly, and makes the regulations understandable and manageable,” he said.

The conference is largely intended to answer questions rather than explain the rules, Peterson explained.

“We’re counting on interaction,” he said.

The seminar is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, at Big Bend Community College’s ATEC Building, 7662 Chanute St. NE, on the BBCC campus, and is scheduled to deal with matters of food safety, preventative production controls, and the economics of water and energy.

Registration for the seminar and luncheon is $22, and can be paid at the door. For more information, or to register, call Grant County EDC at 509-764-6579.