Needham Restaurants Complete '21 Proof' Training

Needham is still at least a year away from voting on packaged wine, beer or liquor in town. But recently, the town took steps to ensure that establishments currently licensed to sell alcohol by the glass are trained in best practices to run a safe, healthy operation.

On Tuesday, June 5, the town held its first Responsible Beverage Server training program for liquor licensees in Needham.

Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen, the Public Health Department and the and funded by a federal grant through the Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention, the training program was deemed "a great success" by those who organized it, according to Cathy Toran of the Needham Public Health Department's Substance Abuse Prevention and Education program.

"The goal of the training was to assist local restaurants in their continued efforts to serve alcohol responsibly and legally," Toran said in a press release. "Participants took part in an interactive program called '21 Proof' run by trainer Frank Connelly. '21 Proof' is a locally developed, nationally recognized responsible beverage server training program designed to help alcohol establishment personnel strengthen their skills around serving alcohol in ways which avoid sales to intoxicated and underage persons."

A total of 34 employees attended the training, including staff from the following Needham restaurants: , , , Fuji Steak House, , , , , , and .

Locally, Needham officials conduct periodic compliance checks at all establishments that serve alcohol, Toran said.