Application Open for 2021 Samuel J. Crumbine Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), representing the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments, announced the release of the guidelines for the 2021 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection at the Local Level.  This award is given annually to local environmental health jurisdictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to their communities.

Named for one of America’s most renowned health officers and health educators, Samuel J. Crumbine, MD (1862–1954), the award encourages innovative programs and methods that reduce or eliminate the occurrence of foodborne illnesses, recognizes the importance of food protection at the local level, and stimulates public interest in foodservice sanitation.

“Food safety is critical for all of us, no matter where we live. It is estimated that nearly 50 million people are sicked by food borne illnesses each year, causing preventable hospitalizations and even deaths,” said NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Lori Tremmel Freeman.  “Health departments, the food industry, and consumers all play essential roles in aspects of food safety. The Samuel J. Crumbine Award recognizes local environmental health jurisdictions who are leaders in their approaches to food safety. By highlighting their successes, we can then share those best practices with other communities around the country to improve their food safety systems as well.” 

All local environmental health jurisdictions meeting these basic criteria are encouraged to apply, regardless of size and resources. To apply, applicants should download the guidelines, which may be found here. The deadline to submit entries for the 2021 award is March 15, 2021.

The Crumbine Award is supported by the Conference for Food Protection in cooperation with the American Academy of Sanitarians, American Public Health Association, Association of Food & Drug Officials, Food Marketing Institute, Foodservice Packaging Institute, International Association for Food Protection, National Environmental Health Association, National Restaurant Association, NSF International, UL, and NACCHO.