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© Copyright Iowa Restaurant Association 2008 

Check out the National Restaurant Association's Green Initiative

 

Iowa Restaurant Association

Headquartered in Des Moines, the Iowa Restaurant Association is the professional association of the restaurant and retail beverage industries in Iowa. In addition to representing the industries’ legislative concerns, the IRA works to educate its members on ways to operate efficiently, safely, and profitably and to promote quality and professionalism in the industry.

The Iowa Restaurant Association is the state affiliate of the National Restaurant Association.

Important New Regulatory Information

Smoking Ban Rules Update and Hearing Notice
 The new “Iowa Smokefree Air Act” goes into effect on July 1, 2008. The Iowa Department of Public Health has created a list of clarifications and administrative rules  to assist restaurant and bar owners in implementing the new ban. For all documents, please refer to their website http://www.iowasmokefreeair.gov.

Because many are still confused about components of the administrative rules, the Iowa Restaurant Association recently requested that Governor Culver rescind the rules. However, the request was declined. The IRA has since requested that a study be conducted on the business impact of the smoking ban on small hospitality businesses.

Food Code Changes Will Impact Iowa's Restaurants
 The state of Iowa has adopted a new Food Code based on the Federal Drug Administration 2005 Model Food Code. Iowa’s new Food Code will take effect on July 1, 2008.  Take a moment to review the document outlines the major changes affecting Iowa’s restaurant and foodservice industry. For further clarification or if you have questions, call the Iowa Restaurant Association.

Full copy of the recently adopted 2005 Food Code

 

 
 

 

Has Your Business Been Impacted by the Floods?

The IRA knows that many of our members have been hurt by recent flooding. If your business has been negatively impacted – whether through sales declines due to closure or actual property damage— the IRA would like to help.

Please call or e-mail us with your needs. We know we can help in a number of ways:

-- Change renewal date to delay dues.

-- Assist in finding equipment or other needed items.

-- Connect you with businesses that give discounts to IRA members on things such as tile and grout repair.

If there are other ways that you feel we can harness our resources to be of help to you—whether its assistance with clean up or loaning a piece of equipment—we would like to hear from you. Please call us today at 515-276-1454 if we can be of help.

The IRA Board of Directors and Staff