Photo courtesy of DMACC VanKirk Career Academy Director Eddie Diaz

A statewide organization is coming to the Perry community to help residents become certified in the food industry.

The Iowa Latino Hospitality Council is going to be offering a free Spanish ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Training next Thursday and Friday at the Des Moines Area Community College VanKirk Career Academy in Perry. Hospitality Council Director Giovanna Rodriguez outlines the training is geared towards the Latino community who work in restaurants, cafeterias, or apart of an independent business selling food. 

She explains that the council is aiming to promote education to restaurant owners in Perry. DMACC VanKirk Career Academy Director Eddie Diaz tells Raccoon Valley Radio that this event is to assist those in the community that haven’t been able to find new employment.

“This is part of a larger effort to help the unemployed or underemployed folks in the community. Some of them who are directly impacted by Tyson (Foods) basically to help those folks that really struggle finding a new job, because those skills that they had were not transferable.”

Diaz reveals that two additional programs will happen in the next few months to provide more opportunities for residents. Rodriguez shares that the training sessions will take place on the 10th and 11th from 9am-3pm. Although the program is free, registration is required, which can be done by contacting Rodriguez at (515)-444-9298 or email gio.rodriguez@latinohospitality.org.