Food Establishments, Pools Honored for Safety Efforts

Clay County Public Health Center recognized nearly 140 food establishments and recreational water facilities for outstanding safety performance in 2025, highlighting businesses and organizations that met high standards for inspections, sanitation and public health protection.

The health center announced 97 recipients of its Food Safety Excellence Award and 39 recipients of its Pool Safety Excellence Award. The honors recognize facilities that consistently followed Clay County safety rules, avoided repeated violations and achieved strong inspection results throughout the year.

“All of our licensed food and pool facilities play an important role in helping keep people safe,” said Robert Gilliland, Section Chief of Environmental Health. “These award winners stood out because they consistently went the extra mile. We appreciate the care they put into their work in 2025, and we’re proud to recognize what they’ve accomplished.”

The Food Safety Excellence Award is given to establishments that successfully follow the Clay County Food Code, demonstrate strong sanitation practices and earn exceptional inspection results during the calendar year. To qualify, establishments must have been open and operating for the full year, had no repeated violations, required no follow-up inspections and had no confirmed cases of foodborne illness.

This year’s 97 winners represent the top 12.5% of food establishments overseen by the health center. Of those, 26 earned “Gold Standard” recognition for receiving the safety award three or more consecutive years.

Food establishments regulated by Clay County include restaurants as well as school cafeterias, hospitals, nursing homes, food trucks, churches, caterers, bars, convenience stores, concession stands, event vendors and other locations that serve food.

In 2025, CCPHC’s 11-member environmental health team conducted 1,556 routine food establishment inspections, 272 temporary food event inspections and investigated 166 food-related complaints.

Food establishments in Kearney receiving the Food Safety Excellence Award include: Club At MariMack, Dogwood Elementary, Fair Share Farm, Hawthorne Elementary, Kearney Early Education Center, Kearney Elementary, Kearney Middle School, QuikTrip #198, and Southview Elementary.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.