Just Goode Food Named In Chicken Investigation
By 250 News
Northern Health Public Health Protection staff members have placed conditions on the food permit of Just Goode Food after undercooked chicken tenders were provided to students at Pineview Elementary School on January 31.
The conditions allow Just Goode Food to keep its restaurant open on a conditional two month permit, but that permit does not allow the company to carry on with its catering business.
“Our indications are that the establishment was extremely busy meeting its orders, and did not appropriately track the cooking process for the chicken tenders.” says NH’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. David Bowering. “We are prepared to work with operators who show a willingness to improve their standards.” Just Goode Food voluntarily closed while the investigation was taking place.
Although six children complained of cramps, nausea, and low grade fever, to date, there have been no laboratory confirmed reports of food poisoning resulting from the undercooked chicken. Initial testing of the chicken could not find any signs of salmonella.
Just Goode’s owner, Gladys Goode, says the loss of the catering side of their business could mean the end of the road for the company. “We have already laid off 10 staff and we are trying to keep the restaurant open with just four people, but the restaurant can‘t make enough money on its own”. She says the restaurant accounts for less than a quarter of the company’s income. “I don’t know what we’re going to do” she says, as the restrictions on the catering side of the business will mean the loss of thousands of dollars.
The contract to provide meals to 36 clients at two seniors homes alone will mean a loss of more than 32 thousand dollars over the two month period. Just Goode also provides coffee and lunch services to Canfor, Northern Health, as well as being a key caterer to all sorts of social and professional events from weddings to the week long RCMP boot camp for kids.
Those contracts disappeared just as new expenses surfaced. “Last fall, Northern Health ordered us to buy another walk- in cooler. The $12,000 dollar cooler has just arrived and now Northern Health wants us to install another sink, I just don’t know how we are going to pay for this” says Gladys.
Gladys says she wishes they could take the whole matter to court, but the company cannot afford the cost of the legal bills attached to such a challenge.
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
Posted by: southfortguy on February 12 2007 4:48 PM
They are rated as being only "moderate" for cleanliness.
That is not performance.
They are great caterers, bringing lots of food, and have the knack of making it all taste great, and always enough for seconds.
They are punctual, and very reliable.
I do not think they should be treated too harshly. Make them do a major clean up-and stay clean. Other than that, what mistakes have they made-other than a little raw chicken? Hardly worth closing them down for. They have been a benefit to this town for many years, and it would be sheer stupidity to end a success story few can lay their claim to.
But isn't that just the way it happens. They just might be a little too competitive to allow to keep operating.
I don't know of any other caterers so well known, or who could handle the customers they manage to serve.
Like I say-make them clean up , but closing a successful business over a chewy chicken strip a little underdone is foolhardy.
And then check on them-but get off their backs. Stop making excessive demands and increasing their costs.
At least they are one home grown business that is kept busy.
Northern Health-stick with the program-get them to clean and leave them to cook also.
Hey Gladys-I am on your side!