BC Senior Center Scores Excellent Food Service Rating

Submitted by Health Department

A food service inspection was recently conducted at the Big Cypress Senior Center. The center received a rating of excellent and was found to be “the cleanest and most organized food establishment on all Seminole Tribe of Florida reservations.”

This accomplishment is no easy task as this environmental health inspection is conducted as a surprise visit and is very in-depth and detail oriented. This operational review assesses the condition of the food as well as the protection of the food.

Environmental Health Specialist Chris Chepa has also given Awards of Excellence to Hollywood Senior Center, Immokalee Senior Center, as well as Big Cypress Preschool and Ahfachkee School.

It is very important not only that the food is in good condition and free from spoilage when it arrives at the center, but it must also be prepared and held at the proper temperature and for the appropriate amount of time. Food that is not kept cold enough, hot enough or left out for too long can promote the growth of dangerous bacteria or other organisms which can cause illness.

Cleanliness is also of paramount importance in a food establishment and is scrutinized closely in a food service review. Not only is the food equipment and utensils inspected, but the quality of the hand washing facilities, bathroom facilities, plumbing/sewage disposal, garbage disposal and all floors, walls and ceilings are all thoroughly inspected as well.

Personnel in any food establishment must follow many protocols to keep the environment clean and the food safe. If they are sick, they are restricted from working, they must follow strict hand washing procedures and hygienic practices and they must always wear clean clothes and hair restraints during food handling and preparation.

What makes Big Cypress Senior Center such a winning combination? Ask Cecilia Solano, the Big Cypress/Naples Senior Center site manger for the past four-and-a-half years and she has a ready response–teamwork.

“No one person can accomplish this; it is about communication and working together,” said Solano. “I take everybody’s input and involve staff in all activities. They take as much pride in a job well done, as I do.” It is true, there is an easygoing camaraderie among the staff, but there is no question that strict attention is paid to food safety compliance and hygiene issues.

Every team is only as good as its leader, but Leah Minnick, director of Elder Affairs is quick to give the praise to her Big Cypress Senior Center staff.

“Those girls in the kitchen know what work is and want to do things right,” Minnick said. “Cecilia [Solano] is very good about outlining her expectations and the staff knows they need to live up to it.”

Solano laughed before responding: “Leah [Minnick] pushes me hard, so I push my staff hard.”

Minnick admits her top priority is cleanliness at the Senior Center.

“I have always said if you are out on the road and stop at a restaurant and the bathroom is a mess, you can bet the kitchen isn’t any cleaner,” she said. “Dedicated staff that is what makes a good team. All of our senior centers are excellent.”

Solano said she is also appreciative of the support provided by Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Big Cypress Council representative David Cypress and Big Cypress Board Representative Paul Bowers.

“They come in here all the time,” she said. “They eat our meals and praise the staff for a job well done. The appreciation encourages everybody to keep working hard.”

With the support of these three, the Senior Center has been able to add many additional activities to our calendar such as daily ceramics class, yoga and chair aerobics held every Monday at 10 a.m., Solano said.

Chairman Mitchell Cypress offered this comment: “I enjoy eating at the senior centers on all the reservations. It seems that that the Big Cypress staff has really outdone themselves to receive this special distinction. It would be good to see all the centers receive this recognition.”

The Big Cypress Senior Center is clean, the food is good, the staff is friendly and there is much to do. Congratulations to the staff on achieving the food service inspection rating of excellent.

The Big Cypress Senior Center’s upcoming events include the Strawberry Festival, the ATV ride on March 21 and the Spring Trikefest on March 31. For more information, contact the Senior Center at (863) 902-3211.