Skip navigation
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

  • Food Safety
    • Recalls & Public Health Alerts
      • Report a Problem with Food
        • Additional Recalls
      • Annual Recall Summaries
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2012
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2013
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2014
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2015
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2016
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2017
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2018
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2019
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2020
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2021
    • Food Safety Stats
      • Consumer Research
    • Foodborne Illness and Disease
      • Illnesses and Pathogens
        • Campylobacter
          • Campylobacter En Español
        • Clostridium botulinum
        • Escherichia coli O157:H7
        • Parasites and Foodborne Illness
        • Salmonella Questions and Answers
      • Resources for Public Health Partners
        • State Departments of Public Health
      • Outbreaks
        • Outbreak Investigations: Prevention
        • Outbreak Investigations: Response
    • Safe Food Handling and Preparation
      • Food Safety Basics
        • Additives in Meat and Poultry Products
        • Appliance Thermometers
        • Asar a la parrilla y seguridad alimentaria
        • Cleanliness Helps Prevent Foodborne Illness
        • Cooking for Groups
        • Cooking with Microwave Ovens
        • Cutting Boards
        • Deep Fat Frying
        • Doneness Versus Safety
        • Food Allergies
        • Glossary of Packaging Terms
        • Grilling Food Safely
        • Grilling and Food Safety
        • High Altitude Cooking
        • How Temperatures Affect Food
        • How to Find the USDA Establishment Number
        • Importing Meat, Poultry & Egg Products US
        • Inspection for Food Safety: The Basics
        • Irradiation and Food Safety FAQ
        • Keeping "Bag" Lunches Safe
        • Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency
        • Kitchen Thermometers
        • Mail Order Food Safety
        • Meat and Poultry Labeling Terms
        • Meat and Poultry Packaging Materials
        • Natural Flavors on Meat and Poultry Labels
        • Safe Handling of Take-Out Foods
        • Slaughter Inspection 101
        • Slow Cookers and Food Safety
        • Smoking Meat and Poultry
        • Tailgating Food Safety Q & A
        • Understanding FSIS Food Recalls
        • Water in Meat & Poultry
        • Danger Zone 40F - 140F
        • Food Product Dating
        • Freezing and Food Safety
        • Leftovers and Food Safety
        • Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?
          • Hongos en los Alimentos: ¿Son Peligrosos?
        • Refrigeration
        • Safe Temperature Chart
        • Shelf-Stable Food
        • Steps to Keep Food Safe
        • The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods
        • The Color of Meat and Poultry
        • Washing Food: Does it Promote Food Safety?
        • Food Safety While Hiking, Camping & Boating
        • Seguridad Alimentaria Durante Caminatas, Campamentos y Paseos en Bote
      • Meat
        • Bacon and Food Safety
        • Bagre de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Beef From Farm To Table
        • Bison from Farm to Table
        • Carne de res ablandada mecánicamente
        • Catfish from Farm to Table
        • Color of Cooked Ground Beef as It Relates to Doneness
        • Corned Beef
        • Door-to-Door Meat Sales
        • Fresh Pork from Farm to Table
        • Goat from Farm to Table
        • Ground Beef and Food Safety
        • Hams and Food Safety
        • Hot Dogs & Food Safety
        • Jerky
        • Lamb From Farm to Table
        • Mechanically Tenderized Beef
        • Rabbit From Farm to Table
        • Roasting Those "Other" Holiday Meats
        • Sausages and Food Safety
        • Veal from Farm to Table
        • Yersiniosis and Chitterlings Tips
      • Poultry
        • Chicken From Farm to Table
        • Chicken Liver
        • Duck and Goose from Farm to Table
        • Hock Locks and Other Accoutrements
        • Is Pink Turkey Meat Safe?
        • Let's Talk Turkey Roasting
        • Poultry Processing: Questions & Answers
        • Poultry: Basting, Brining, and Marinating
        • Stuffing and Food Safety
        • The Poultry Label Says "Fresh"
        • Turduckens Require Safe Food Handling
        • Turkey Basics: Handling Cooked Dinners
        • Turkey Basics: Safe Cooking
        • Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing
        • Turkey Basics: Stuffing
        • Turkey from Farm to Table
        • Turkey: Alternate Routes to the Table
      • Eggs
        • Egg Products and Food Safety
        • Shell Eggs from Farm to Table
      • Emergencies
        • A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes
        • Fires and Food Safety
        • Keep Your Food Safe During Emergencies
        • Removing Odors from Refrigerators and Freezers
      • USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
      • Brochures & Publications
    • Food Defense and Emergency Response
      • Emergency Response
      • Continuity of Operations (COOP)
      • Food Defense
        • Risk Mitigation Tool
        • Food Defense Considerations for Transportation of FSIS-Regulated Products
        • Food Defense Tools, Resources and Training
        • Functional Food Defense Plans
        • International Food Defense
  • Science & Data
    • Research Priorities
    • Data Sets & Visualizations
      • Microbiology
        • Baseline Microbiology Data Reports
        • Microbiological Testing Program for RTE Meat and Poultry Products
          • Tables & Results Microbiological Testing Program for RTE Meat
          • Tables & Results: Microbiological Testing Program Pasteurized Egg Products
          • Aggregate Salmonella Categorization of Raw Chicken Parts, NRTE Comminuted Poultry, Young Chicken Carcass and Young Turkey Carcass Establishments Using Moving Windows
          • Salmonella Initiative Program Criteria
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Antimicrobial Resistance
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Raw Beef Products
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Ready-to-eat Products and Egg Products
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Salmonella
            • Salmonella Action Plan: A One and Two Year Update
            • Salmonella Categorization of Individual Establishments for Poultry Products
        • Microbiological Testing Program for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
          • Year-to-Date Totals: Testing of Raw Ground Beef Component (RGBC) Samples for E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
          • Annual Report for STEC in Raw Ground Beef or Veal and Raw Ground Beef or Veal Components
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2017
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2018
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2016
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2015
          • Year-to-Date 2018 Totals: Results of Raw Ground Beef Component (RGBC) Samples for E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC):
        • National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS)
        • Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting
      • Residue Chemistry
      • Humane Handling Data
      • Laboratory Sampling Data
        • Egg Product Testing, Years 1995-2017
      • Inspection Task Data
    • Scientific Reports
      • Public Health Regulations (PHR)
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2022
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2021
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2016
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2017
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2018
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2019
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2020
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2023
      • Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC)
    • Laboratories & Procedures
      • Accredited Laboratory Program
        • Key Facts: ISO Accreditation
      • FSIS Laboratories
        • Requesting Bacterial Isolates from FSIS
    • Risk Assessments
    • Sampling Program
      • Raw Pork Products Exploratory Sampling Program
      • Sampling Results for FSIS Regulated Products
    • Journal Publications
  • Policy
    • Food Safety Acts
      • Federal Meat Inspection Act
      • Poultry Products Inspection Act
      • Egg Products Inspection Act
      • Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
    • FSIS Guidelines
    • Directives & Notices
      • FSIS Notices
      • FSIS Directives
    • Petitions
    • Federal Register & Rulemaking
      • Federal Register Notices
      • Federal Register Rules
      • Executive Orders, Small Business Protection Laws & Other Guidance
      • Regulatory Priorities
    • Advisory Committees
      • National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI)
      • National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)
        • 2021-2023 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)
        • NACMCF 2022 Subcommittee
        • 2018-2020 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)
  • Inspection
    • Inspection Programs
      • Inspection of Meat Products
        • Humane Handling Ombudsman
        • Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection
      • Inspection of Poultry Products
        • Reducing Salmonella in Poultry
          • Pilot Projects: Salmonella Control Strategies
          • Proposed Regulatory Framework to Reduce Salmonella Illnesses Attributable to Poultry
            • Component 1
            • Component 2
            • Component 3
          • Salmonella By the Numbers
          • Salmonella KPI
          • Salmonella Risk Assessments
        • Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection
      • Inspection of Egg Products
      • Inspection of Siluriformes
    • Compliance Guidance
      • Significant Guidance
      • HACCP
        • HACCP-Based-Inspection Models Project
          • New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS)
          • HIMP Redesign Achievement of Performance Standards Young Chicken Plants
          • List of HIMP Participating Plants
        • HACCP Validation
      • PHIS
        • PHIS: Historical Information
      • Retail Guidance
      • Small & Very Small Plant Guidance
        • Appealing Inspection Decisions
        • Food Safety Resources for Small and Very Small Plant Outreach: Order Form
        • Small Plant Help Desk
        • Small Plant Help Desk Form
      • Microbial Risk
        • Listeria Monocytogenes
        • Salmonella
        • Shiga Toxin-Producing E.Coli (STEC) and E. Coli O157:H7
        • Specified Risk Material
          • BSE Rules Being Strictly Enforced
        • Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens - Best Practice Tips for Deli Operators
      • Specified Risk Material Resources
      • Food Safety Assessments Tools
      • Recall Process
      • Sanitation Performance Standards Compliance Guide
      • Labeling
        • Basics of Labeling
        • Claims Guidance
        • Nonfood Compounds
          • Compounds Used for Construction and Repair in Federally Inspected Meat and Poultry Plants
          • Criteria Used by the Former Compounds and Packaging Branch for Evaluating Nonfood Compounds and Proprietary Substances
        • Ingredients Guidance
        • Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS)
          • Integration of Paper Label Applications into the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS)
        • Labeling Policies
          • Human Food Made with Cultured Animal Cells
          • Regulations for Package Dating
          • Comprehensive List of Reasons for Label Modifications and Returns
          • Questions and Answers Concerning the Recently Published Generic Labeling Final Rule
        • Labeling Procedures
          • Information Required For Requesting a Temporary Approval
          • 10 Most Common Mistakes And How to Avoid Them
          • Label Submission Checklist
          • Labeling Situations That Can Not Have a Temporary Approval
          • Labeling and Establishment Responsibilities
          • Ten Most Commonly Asked Labeling Questions
          • Trans Fat Declarations in the Nutrition Facts Panel on Product Labeling
      • New Technology
        • Cooperative Agreements FY 2003
        • Cooperative Agreements FY 2004
        • Cooperative Agreements FY 2005
        • Food Safety Technologies FY 2003
        • Food Safety Technologies FY 2004
        • Food Safety Technologies FY 2005
        • NOL for Non-O157 STEC Test Methods
        • New Technology Information Table
      • Humane Handling
    • Import & Export
      • Import & Export Library
        • Eligible Foreign Establishments
        • U.S. Establishments by Country
          • Australia Eligible Establishments
          • Brazil Export Eligible Establishments
          • Egypt Export Eligible Establishments
          • Gibraltar Export Eligible Establishments
          • Israel Export Eligible Establishments
          • Japan (Casings) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Japan (Cold Storage Facilities) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Mexico Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Beef) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Pork) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Poultry) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Prepared Products) Export Eligible Establishments
          • South Africa Eligible Establishments
      • Import Guidance
        • FSIS Import Procedures for Meat, Poultry & Egg Products
        • FSIS Import Reinspection
        • Sourcing Egg Products and Shell Eggs From Foreign Countries
      • Export Guidance
      • Equivalence
      • PHIS Components
      • International Reports
        • Foreign Audit Reports
        • Import and Export Data
    • Regulatory Enforcement
      • Humane Handling Enforcement
      • Quarterly Enforcement Reports
        • Quarterly Enforcement Reports (Narrative, Archived v1)
        • Quarterly Enforcement Reports (Narrative, Archived v2)
        • Quarterly Enforcement Reports (Narrative, Archived v3)
        • Quarterly Enforcement Reports (Narrative, Archived v4)
      • FSIS Policies on Regulatory Decisions
    • Inspection Training & Videos
      • Inspection & Mission Training
      • Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Videos
      • Regulatory Education Video Seminars
    • Apply for Grant of Inspection
      • Grants & Financial Options
    • State Inspection Programs
      • Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program
        • Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Establishments
      • Guidance Documents for State and Local Agencies
      • States With and Without Inspection Programs
      • Reviews of State Programs
    • Establishments
      • FSIS Inspected Establishments
      • Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory
    • Inspection Forms
  • About FSIS
    • History
    • Leadership & Organizational Structure
    • Strategic Planning
      • FSIS Enterprise Governance Decision Making Process
    • Core Values
    • Food Safety & Agency Partners
      • Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)
    • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
      • FSIS Adjudications
      • FSIS FOIA Reading Room
      • Frequently Requested Records
      • Making a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
    • Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS)
  • Contact Us
    • FSIS Offices
      • Office for Food Safety (OFS)
      • Office of the Administrator (OA)
      • Office of Field Operations (OFO)
      • Office of Investigation, Enforcement, and Audit (OIEA)
      • Office of Public Health Science (OPHS)
      • Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD)
      • Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
      • Office of International Coordination (OIC)
      • Office of Employee Experience and Development (OEED)
      • Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
      • Office of Management (OM)
      • Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE)
      • Internal Affairs (IA)
      • Office of Planning Analysis Risk Management (OPARM)
      • Civil Rights Staff
    • FSIS Department Emails
    • State Contacts
    • askFSIS
      • Having Trouble with the Webform
    • Pregúntele a Karen
  • Careers
    • Apply for a Job
    • Job Opportunities
    • Who Works for Us
      • Dr. Summer Addo — an Unexpected Career Path
      • Dr. Jeanetta Tankson Shares Her Passion for Science and Food Safety
      • Micheall Myrie - Visual Information Specialist and AAFE Award Winner
      • DDM Jeffery Jacobsen Ensures Meat is Safe and Cooks it, Too!
      • CSI Sherri Rodriguez: Thankful for FSIS and Friends
      • Stephen Whatley Celebrates 50 Years of Federal Service
      • Stevie Hretz Enjoys Putting “Humans First!”
      • Archives
    • Career Profiles
      • Administrative Positions
      • Compliance Investigator Positions
      • Consumer Safety Inspector
      • Food Inspector
      • Professional Positions
      • Public Health Veterinarian (PHV)
      • Scientific Positions
    • Incentives
      • Federal Employee Benefits Summary
    • Employment Programs
    • Food Inspector Apprenticeship Programs
    • Professional with Disabilities
  • News & Events
    • Events & Meetings
      • Officials' Calendar of Meetings
      • Food Safety Education Month
    • News & Press Releases
      • News Feeds & Subscriptions
    • Publications
    • Branding & Toolkits
  • Employees
    • HR Policies & Systems
      • Forms
      • Performance Management
      • Understanding Your Benefits
        • Emergency Backup Dependent Care (EBDC) Program
    • FSIS Safety
      • COVID-19 Pandemic Resources
        • Information about Face Coverings/Masks and Face Shields
      • Workplace Violence
    • Onboarding
      • New Hire Training
    • Agency Awards & Achievements
    • Professional Development Opportunities
      • OFO Workforce Investment Initiative Pilot Program
    • Facilities and Services
    • Employee Bargaining
    • Civil Rights
    • Employee News & Stories
    • FSIS Snapshots
      • February 2023 Snapshots
      • January 2023 Snapshots
      • December 2022 Snapshots
      • September 2022 Snapshots
      • August 2022 Snapshots
      • November 2022 Snapshots
      • July 2022 Snapshots
      • October 2022 Snapshots
      • June 2022 Snapshots
      • May 2022 Snapshots
      • April 2022 Snapshots
      • March 2022 Snapshots
      • February 2022 Snapshots
      • January 2022 Snapshots
      • December 2021 Snapshots
      • November 2021 Snapshots
      • October 2021 Snapshots
      • September 2021 Snapshots
      • August 2021 Snapshots
      • July 2021 Snapshots
      • June 2021 Snapshots
    • Submit Your Stories
    • Meet Pickle-Eating Champ, CSI Joe Smith
    • Supervisors Make All the Difference!
    • Disability: Part of the Equity Equation
    • Archives
      • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month - Cyber Security for Remote Work
      • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month: Occupant Emergency Planning
      • ARCHIVE: Message from Leadership — Women’s Equality Day
      • ARCHIVE: Managing Heat Risk in Hot Weather
      • ARCHIVE: New Netflix Show Features USDA and FSIS
      • ARCHIVE: Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration
      • ARCHIVE: Thank You for Your Public Service
      • ARCHIVE: World Veterinary Day — Recognizing the Resilience of FSIS Veterinarians
      • ARCHIVE: Two Hero Inspectors Provide Potentially Life-Saving CPR to a Plant Employee
      • ARCHIVE: Hero Inspector Saves a Life While on the Road
      • ARCHIVE: Administrative Professionals Day — Thank You
      • ARCHIVE: Chief Information Security Officer Marvin Lykes Recognized for Operational Excellence
      • ARCHIVE: Women’s History Month: Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope
      • ARCHIVE: Alameda District Awards Petaluma Circuit Inspectors Recognition Coins
      • ARCHIVE: Collaborating in the Caribbean — Bringing Awareness About African Swine Fever
      • ARCHIVE: Message from Leadership — Be an Advocate for Public Health
      • ARCHIVE: Message from Leadership — Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
      • ARCHIVE: In Their Own Words: The 2021 Administrator’s Awards for Excellence Winners Speak Out
      • ARCHIVE: CSI Koffi Hoenou – From Togolese Teacher to U.S. Citizen
      • ARCHIVE: Dearborn, Mich., Circuit Inspectors Receive Collaborative Coins
      • ARCHIVE: Don’t Invite Foodborne Illness to the Party
      • ARCHIVE: Inspection for Ritual Meat and Poultry Slaughter
      • ARCHIVE: Thanksgiving Message from Leadership
      • ARCHIVE: Make a Difference for You and Your Colleagues – Respond to FEVS by Dec. 3
      • ARCHIVE: American Indian/Alaskan Native Heritage Month — Together Towards Tomorrow
      • ARCHIVE: Federal State Audit Staff Twice Honored for Supporting Military Staff
      • ARCHIVE: Veterans Day Messages from FSIS Leadership
      • ARCHIVE: Food Inspector Apprenticeship Programs for Veterans
      • ARCHIVE: Disability Employment Awareness Month — America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion
      • ARCHIVE: Helping Today’s Inspectors Be Tomorrow’s Leaders with Tuition Reimbursement
      • ARCHIVE: Dr. Geraldine Vidal-Covas Embraces Her Hispanic Heritage, Encourages All
      • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month – Home Go Kits & Pets
      • ARCHIVE: Mask Requirements Updated for FSIS Employees
      • ARCHIVE: Modernizing Egg Inspection
      • ARCHIVE: FSIS Recognized Twice for 2020 Food Safety Education Efforts
      • ARCHIVE: Four Steps to Good Mental Health
      • ARCHIVE: Building Relationships at Work
      • ARCHIVE: Pride Month and USDA’s Commitment to Inclusion
      • ARCHIVE: Honoring the Dedicated Public Servants of FSIS
      • ARCHIVE: Asian American and Pacific Islander Contributions to Our Nation’s History
      • ARCHIVE: USDA Vaccination Heroes Do Their Part for America
      • ARCHIVE: Remembering Their Sacrifice: Jean Hillery, Tom Quadros and Bill Shaline

Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • About FSIS
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • News & Events
  • Employees
  • Food Safety
  • Science & Data
  • Policy
  • Inspection
  • Recalls
  • Search
  • Full Menu
ALERT: Conagra Brands Recalls Canned Meat and… See more details
Page Hero
  • Careers
    • Apply for a Job
    • Job Opportunities
    • Who Works for Us
      • Dr. Summer Addo — an Unexpected Career Path
      • Dr. Jeanetta Tankson Shares Her Passion for Science and Food Safety
      • Micheall Myrie - Visual Information Specialist and AAFE Award Winner
      • DDM Jeffery Jacobsen Ensures Meat is Safe and Cooks it, Too!
      • CSI Sherri Rodriguez: Thankful for FSIS and Friends
      • Stephen Whatley Celebrates 50 Years of Federal Service
      • Stevie Hretz Enjoys Putting “Humans First!”
      • Archives
    • Career Profiles
      • Administrative Positions
      • Compliance Investigator Positions
      • Consumer Safety Inspector
      • Food Inspector
      • Professional Positions
      • Public Health Veterinarian (PHV)
      • Scientific Positions
    • Incentives
      • Federal Employee Benefits Summary
    • Employment Programs
    • Food Inspector Apprenticeship Programs
    • Professional with Disabilities
Subscribe for Updates
Document in circle icon

Participate in Creating Standards

FSIS invites the food safety community to participate in establishing standards for our food safety policies and services. Join us for public meetings or respond to comment requests.
Learn More

Kimberly Kelley from Summer Intern to Training Professional and LGBTQ+ Advocate

By Suzanne Hensell, OPACE

Senior Training and Program Analysis Specialist Kimberly Kelley has been with FSIS for 12 years. Her first experience with FSIS was as a summer intern during her college years. Now she’s a full-time professional with the Office of Employee Experience and Development (OEED) and finds her role very rewarding. Kelley manages FSIS’ New Supervisor Training Program, which cultivates new supervisors’ leadership skills, including how to communicate, motivate and lead other employees.

Kelly-K-Faces-of-food-safety-photo2

Kelley staffs the outreach booth at the USDA Farmer’s Market at D.C. Headquarters honoring Pride Month, June 2019. From left, Randi Johnson (retired from NIFA), Brent Elrod (NIFA), Kimberly Kelley (FSIS) and Trey Wilson (NASS). Photo by the USDA Farmer’s Market Coordinator.

Milestones in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way training was delivered in 2020, and Kelley was excited to help with the transformation. She worked with Department and Agency subject matter experts to help convert OEED’s 2-week in-person New Supervisor Training Program into a self-paced, on-demand virtual program accessible from FSIS’ Supervisor Help platform.

Kelley’s supervisor (and Chief of OEED’s Organization and Employee Development Branch), Sylvia Bourn, said, “Kimberly’s professional success is largely attributed to her work ethic and collaborations with the Department and throughout FSIS. Most recently, Kimberly skillfully helped redesign, develop, package and launch a virtual, on-demand FSIS New Supervisor Training Program Pilot to meet mandates at significant time and cost savings to the Agency. As a result of her efforts, new supervisors are now being empowered with essential knowledge and resources more quickly within their first supervisory year at FSIS.”

Employee Engagement

Gallup, Inc. finds that managers account for 70 percent of the variance in employee engagement, and Kelley wholeheartedly agrees. “My focus is on developing and providing our supervisors the tools they need to impact themselves, their employees and our Agency. Statistically, engaged employees work harder and if I can assist with helping people be more engaged and have the tools to lead, I will be satisfied knowing I helped influence our culture at FSIS.”

For Kelley, “practice what you preach” is an important concept; while she receives great satisfaction from working with FSIS employees to help them align their passions with FSIS employment, she has also aligned her own passions with her work. To stay current with research in her field, she tries to find time to read articles, listen to podcasts or watch informational videos to improve her training skills. Most recently, she has been learning about how to keep employees engaged as they work remotely. One tool she has found particularly effective in keeping herself focused and staying on task is “calendar blocking” or reserving blocks of time on her calendar for specific tasks, such as completing a monthly report.

Personal Achievements

In late 2020, Kelley was honored to receive the Administrator’s Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. “My 11 years of diversity work have been a large passion of mine and to be recognized at this level is an incredible honor. To me, this advocacy is personal and necessary; according to IMD.org, LGBTQ individuals feel more loyal to their organization and are 20-30% more productive in a work environment where they can bring their full authentic selves. By helping develop and educate people about safe spaces and how we can support our LGBTQ+ employees, I play a part in helping USDA be a more welcoming workplace and employer of choice.”

Kelley has been actively involved in LGBTQ+ engagement since she started with the Agency. In her early years with FSIS, Kelley was involved in diversity efforts as the Agency’s LGBTQ+ special emphasis program manager. In 2017, she was selected as vice president of the employee resource group Equality USDA, a role in which she continues to serve today.

“Kimberly is recognized as much for her active special emphasis and equal employment opportunity leadership roles, as for her customer service endeavors throughout FSIS. She strives to understand unique differences, seeks solutions that will result in fair treatment and practices, and promotes work environments where customers can feel welcome, respected, engaged and productive,” said Bourn.

Introduction to FSIS

Kelley learned about FSIS from a high school soccer teammate’s father, former FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. She applied to the FSIS summer internship program and worked for the Agency during the summers of 2005, 2007 and 2008. Kelley accepted a full-time position with the Agency after graduating from Texas State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies.

She began her FSIS career in OEED as a management analyst, was promoted to program manager, then transitioned to her current position. Throughout her career, Kelley has learned from numerous mentors, including Almanza. She recalls the best advice he offered: “Come with a solution.” He advised she approach her supervisors with solutions to a problem instead of simply stating the problem, and she would have substantially different responses.

Kimberly-Kelley-Faces-of-food-safety-photo1

Kimberly Kelley with her dog, Pearl, at a pumpkin patch in November 2020. Photo taken by Kelley’s fiancée, Jessica Brondou.

Outside of Work

FSIS outreach has been a passion for Kelley for the last six years. She has helped organize and staff outreach booths at over 20 LGBTQ+ career fairs and conventions. “It brings a smile to my face to educate others about the opportunities available at FSIS, and to share stories of success and how the Agency is a welcoming employer of choice,” she said.

Kelley and her fiancée, Jessica Brondou, enjoy spoiling their new “quarantine puppy,” Pearl, an “Aussiedoodle” (Australian Shepherd and Standard Poodle mix). Kelley is so passionate about food safety, that everyone in her family has received an FSIS meat temperature magnet. Outside of family time and LGBTQ+ advocacy, her main hobbies are playing on a trivia team and anything thrill-seeking — she enjoys ziplining and hopes to skydive soon.

Turkey production line in 1956

Our History

USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service has a long, rich history of improving and protecting America's food supply.
Learn More
David Vasquez-April Faces of FSIS

Core Values

Our team is full of dedicated public servants who embody our core values.
Learn More
Woman hugging her dog

Who Works for Us

"Faces of Food Safety" introduces you to the men and women who play a role in making our food safe.
Learn More
Learn More About FSIS
Last Updated: Jul 22, 2021
  • USDA.gov
  • USA.gov
  • Whitehouse.gov
  • About Us
  • Our Performance
  • Information Quality & Publishing Schedule
  • Visit OIG
  • FOIA
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Non-Discrimination Statement
  • Plain Writing
  • No FEAR
  • Significant Guidance

Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • GovDelivery
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • YouTube
  • Linked In
  • RSS
.

Start your search

Popular Topics

Recalls Import & Export FSIS Directives FSIS Guidelines Petitions