Shop helps disabled with job skills

The Rusty Wagon gift shop is selling produce again with the arrival of apples from a family orchard.

Store Manager Christina Jasper said the selection is limited to the apples right now, but she hopes to carry more fresh vegetables and fruits as summer and fall arrive.

To prepare for produce items, the store's associates must pass a state food handler's exam taken online, she said, so they can receive a certificate to help bag items sold in the store.

Instructors can assist the staff members by reading the questions, she said, but they must answer correctly on their own.

The store operates under the Glenn County Office of Education and provides work training to people with intellectual development challenges.

On Thursday, Jasper and her crew did a team building exercise designed around food safety.

Employee Jose Amezquita described a drawing to co-worker Lacey Bennett, who then went to the back room and tried to draw the item with help from Martina Ramirez and another woman who may be working there soon.

The drawing included a refrigerator, comments about chilling and separating items and the words meat and cook.

While the staff will not be serving restaurant food, it will need to know the basics of food service and preparation, Jasper said, since those items are on the test.

The store at 420 Walker St. in Orland will sell bulk nuts and fruits the staff will package, she said.

When the exercise was complete, Bennett and Martinez said they learned about listening and respect while Amezquita said he learned about sharing information with others.

Next, the trio learned about food allergens and that many people have allergies to nuts, strawberries, dairy products, eggs, wheat and soy to name a few things to watch.

If a product has any of these items in it or was processed in plant where they are used, the associates should tell customers about that, Jasper said, In case they are allergic to something.

The day's exercises ended with Ramirez and Amezquita playing the roles of clerk and customer to review their product knowledge and spatial interaction with others.

"Why is this oil cloudy?," Amezquita asked.

Ramirez explained it was a new olive oil that was unfiltered with some prompting from Jasper.

Amezquita said he has worked at the store since September and enjoys the job.

One of his duties is to sand and paint wooden step stools he and other students make in Willows through an occupational training program.

Ramirez also has been doing a craft by making placemats with an old-fashioned loom as her project, Jasper said.

The store sells antiques, gift items, soaps, artwork and food products like bread, olive oils, coffees and teas created by local crafters and bakeries in Glenn, Butte and Tehama counties.

CONTACT Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.�