The Washoe County Health District late last month recognized two local businesses with annual health and safety awards. BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company in Sparks received the district’s first-ever Excellence in Food Safety Award for 2020, while Gold N’ Silver Inn & Restaurant in Reno earned the Extra Mile Award for choosing to become a smoke-free environment, the first of its kind in Washoe County. Both businesses were recognized by the Washoe County District Board of Health at its Jan. 28 meeting. “BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company and the Gold N’ Silver are among the leaders in this community in protecting the health of its customers and deserve this recognition,” Kevin Dick, District Health Officer, said in a statement. “We hope other businesses in the community recognize these accomplishments and start a trend that these two businesses charted for them.” According to a county press release, to achieve the inaugural Excellence in Food Safety Award, BJ’s met strict criteria pertaining to food safety practices within the establishment, including passing all health inspections throughout the year, maintaining written food safety plans and monitoring logs, and participating in continuing education on food safety for restaurant staff.
The Gold 'N Silver Inn is located at 790 W. 4th St., in Reno.
Moving forward, the Excellence in Food Safety Awards will be given annually, according to the county. To be considered for 2021 awards, you must nominate a business by December 1. Go here to learn more. The Extra Mile Award, meanwhile, honors businesses “that have gone above and beyond the requirements” of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, according to the county. “Gold N' Silver made the decision to go smoke-free when the law does not require it to, a distinction that makes it the only gaming establishment in Reno and Sparks to offer 100% smoke-free gaming environment,” according to the county. The Washoe County Health District’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program (CDPP) works to empower Washoe County colleges, institutes of higher education, trade schools, businesses, gaming establishments and communities to be tobacco-free.
As part of this effort, CDPP recognizes businesses and organizations that provide smoke-free environments for students, customers, visitors and employees by awarding them with the Extra Mile Award. The Gold N’ Silver Inn Restaurant has been a Reno landmark for over 60 years and has allowed smoking in their small gaming area the past six decades. After the COVID-19 shutdown in the spring, they reopened smoke-free, becoming the only gaming establishment to currently offer 100% smoke-free gaming in the Reno/Sparks area. “I’m happy to celebrate the (Extra Mile Award) each year because it shows the support in our community for healthy, smoke-free environments,” Dick said. “There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure, which can be harmful in many ways including increasing the risk of heart diseases, cancer, and other chronic diseases.”
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