Detroit, Mich. – A new pilot program in Detroit aims to help restaurant workers save money while improving food safety for diners.
The city’s “Dining with Confidence” program offers free food-safety training to anyone who works at a Detroit restaurant. Detroit City Council member Scott Benson said spots are filling up.
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“You want your staff to be the best they can be,” Benson said. “And if your dining experience is A-plus, that means you’re more likely to come back.”
The program also includes a public-facing component: color-coded placards that will show whether a restaurant is in compliance with food-safety inspections.
Benson said the free training could be especially helpful for workers looking to advance, particularly as some restaurants face challenges due to construction in Greektown.
State law requires at least one employee per shift to have a ServSafe Manager certification. The city’s initiative would make the course more accessible by covering the in-person cost, about $165.
“We’re making sure that all of our restaurants have access to do it for free,” Benson said.
Training begins Monday and will be held Mondays at Eastern Market in Shed 5. The program is expected to cost the city about $20,000, and about 200 people have already signed up.
The first training session runs through June and focuses on food safety. A second session runs through August and focuses on customer service.
Food-safety training sessions for Spanish speakers are scheduled for April 13 and May 18
You can sign up for the food-safety training here.