WMED Offers Access to Food Manager’s Certification for Northern Arizona Entrepreneurs

As part of the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN) initiative, White Mountain Economic Development (WMED) has launched a new ServSafe® Food Manager Certification program to help food entrepreneurs in rural communities meet growing industry standards and unlock new opportunities. Launched over the summer, the program offers in-person training and same-day testing by WMED certified trainers and proctors for a credential that’s becoming increasingly essential in the food service industry.

ServSafe®, developed by the National Restaurant Association, is a nationally recognized certification that covers key topics like food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination, cleaning and sanitizing, and time and temperature controls. Many local county health departments either require or are working to require this certification for food establishments, and it's also a valuable credential for entrepreneurs aiming to open or expand their own food businesses.

The online training typically takes 8-10 hours to complete, along with 2 hours for the exam, according to ServSafe guidelines. This program streamlines the certification process by offering in-person training with the proctored certification exam immediately following the instruction, and ensuring access to the necessary technological requirements.

“Finding in-person training and testing in rural areas has always been a challenge—especially for entrepreneurs with limited internet access or the technology required for online certification,” said Russ Yelton, Executive Director of WMED. “By offering the training and testing on the same day, in a supportive and accessible environment, we’re eliminating barriers and giving our local food entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed.”

Importantly, participants who complete the certification—along with other basic requirements like insurance and kitchen use agreements—will also be eligible to utilize WMED’s network of shared commercial kitchens across a 5-county region. These kitchens, located in Show Low, Winslow, Prescott, Lake Havasu City, and Kingman, offer certified food entrepreneurs the chance to grow their businesses through access to commissary kitchens while providing extra income to the operators of these kitchen spaces such as community Senior Centers.

WMED launched its Food Manager Certification program over the summer, with classes continuing into the fall.

The certification program is projected to benefit nearly 200 food workers and entrepreneurs in Northern Arizona, and it is also being expanded through partnerships with Coconino Community College and other partners beginning fall 2025.

Interested individuals can email info@wmedev.org to learn more about the next set of available classes.

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More info about Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network Grant:

The Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN), led by Local First Arizona, is working to create better job opportunities and support local businesses across five counties in Northern Arizona. They have partnered with White Mountain Economic Development, an established leader in supporting businesses and entrepreneurship, to help people get into and grow in the food industry—especially in rural and tribal communities. This includes offering access to resources like certification training, business incubation and mentorship, and commissary kitchen space.

Employers in the region have said that cooks and other food service workers are some of the hardest jobs to keep filled, with high turnover rates. At the same time, jobs like chefs and food service managers pay enough to support a family and offer room to grow. That’s why NAGJN, in collaboration with WMED, is focused on giving people a fast track to move up in food-related careers, including options to start their own food businesses.

Learn more here.