Nature’s Bin Recognized for Outstanding Commitment to Food Safety

Nature’s Bin Food Service Manager, Josie Duennes, accepts the “Be Food Safe” Award recognition from Suzanne Krippel, program manager, Food Protection Unit of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

The staff at Nature’s Bin is proud to be recognized as a “Be Food Safe” award winner from the Food Protection Unit of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Nature’s Bin was recognized for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to food safety and sanitation by demonstrating several key components of a food safety plan. “Like all facilities that handle and prepare food, Nature’s Bin is inspected by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health," commented Food Service Manager Josie Duennes, “Inspectors make regular visits to Nature’s Bin and always find a working 'critical control points' plan and food handling log in place, a high level of knowledge about food handling requirements among staff, a record of regular participation in food safety classes, and a clean, sanitary kitchen.”

Nature’s Bin is a full-service natural foods market located on Sloane Avenue in Lakewood. In addition to all of the healthy food choices available there, it also serves as a training site for a unique and successful program that provides vocational training leading to employment for people with disabilities. Today, programs hosted at Nature’s Bin serve people with a wide range of severe disabilities, including mental retardation, developmental disabilities, autism, mental illness, visual and hearing impairment, and injuries resulting from accident or illness. What distinguishes the programs at Nature’s Bin from other training facilities is the real-work learning environment. Trainees work side-by-side with staff members in all aspects of retail service, facing the challenges and rewards of competitive employment in a caring, supportive atmosphere. Cornucopia/Nature’s Bin has been serving people with disabilities for over 30 years.