Moorefield, W.Va.

On Sept. 22, 2022, the inspection teams at two local poultry establishments worked together to collect over 1,461 pounds of much-needed food and supplies to be donated to the Moorefield Church of the Brethren and the Petersburg Interfaith Food Pantry.

Pictured from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSIs) Jared Miller, Ruth Bear, Jay Alleshouse, Jeanie Hedrick, Yadira Perez-Marcano, and Adam Fraley; Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector (SCSI) Carol Broadwater; CSI John Veach.

Not pictured: CSIs Laura Fraley, Richard Trautman, Mark McCarthy, Andrew Veach, Julia Wolfe.

Pictured, from left: CSIs Ahmed Mahmoud, Chanel El Wakil, Yvonne Taylor, Tina Llewellyn, Doug McKenery, Retha Delawder, Kipp Pickerill, James Ketterman. Not pictured: SCSI Melinda Diggs; CSIs Jonathan Smith and Phillip Blowe.

Photos by CSI Regena Hedrick, OFO.

Dayton, Va.

On Jan. 19, IPP at a poultry slaughter and processing facility held a spaghetti and meatballs potluck as a cold weather pick-me-up. The team plans a potluck dinner every couple of months and always makes sure to bring enough to have (well-heated) leftovers the next day!

Pictured, back row from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSIs) Rick Takacs and Lisa Vann; Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Hannah Sather; CSI Ron Cline. Front row, from left: CSIs Luis Santiago Velez, Flor Vargas, and Roger Wilcoxen.

Photo (via timer) by CSI Luis Santiago Velez, OFO.

Moorefield, W.Va.

On Oct. 15, 2022, the FSIS inspection team at a poultry slaughter and processing plant held a wood-cutting party using lumber supplied by Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Jay Alleshouse from his own property. With much teamwork and elbow grease, they cut, split, gathered and delivered six truckloads of firewood to the home of another CSI on the team. The inspector and his wife heat their home with wood, but he has been diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to the team being like a family and delivering enough wood for the entire winter, he can rest and heal without worrying about how he and his wife will stay warm.

Pictured above: A convoy of six trucks carried firewood cut by CSIs to a fellow CSI to heat his home.

Pictured above, back row, from left: CSIs Jeanie Hedrick, Tina Llewellyn and Yadira Perez-Marcano. Front row, from left: CSIs Jay Alleshouse, Laura Fraley, Richard Trautman, John Veach and Adam Fraley.

Photos by CSI Regena Hedrick, OFO.

Philadelphia, Pa.

On Dec. 6-7, members of the Office of Planning, Analysis and Risk Management’s (OPARM) Data Innovation and Governance Staff met with FSIS personnel in the Office of Field Operations’ (OFO) Philadelphia District and toured four establishments in Pennsylvania: beef in Souderton, pork in Hatfield, ready-to-eat products in Philadelphia and poultry in New Holland. This was a great opportunity for headquarters data analysts to visit the field and gain valuable insights for the analytical services they provide in support of the agency’s mission.

Pictured, from left: OPARM Data Analytics Branch Chief Julie McKeague, OFO Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Parrish Endy, OPARM Data Scientist Ace Tenney, OPARM Data Scientist Ethan Hobbs, OPARM Mathematical Statistician Kayla Jennings, OPARM Data Scientist Cary Burdick, OPARM Data Innovation and Governance Staff Director Dr. Tamar Khafi, OPARM Senior Data Analyst Nelson Clinch, OFO Consumer Safety Inspector George Lightcap, OFO Frontline Supervisor Dr. Rose-Marie Palmer.

Photo by Deputy District Manager Dr. Chelsea Buckley, OFO.

Moorefield, W.Va.

On Nov. 18, the inspection team at a poultry slaughter and processing establishment gathered with some Thanksgiving dinner kits they purchased and assembled for what they fondly dubbed Operation FDT — Feds Delivering Thanksgiving. Each kit contained not only a turkey breast but all the trimmings and side dishes, even dessert and items such as a potholder and dishcloth. 

The team is passionate about serving their community in any way possible. Some families in their area are less fortunate and unable to afford a Thanksgiving dinner. Some elderly people there are "shut-ins" unable to leave their homes to meet with family and friends for the holidays. With those families in mind, team donated kits to a local church for delivery to those who otherwise wouldn't be able to celebrate Thanksgiving.   

Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Jay Alleshouse, Adam Fraley, Yadira Perez-Marcano, John Veach, Jeanie Hedrick, Ruth Bear, Laura Fraley and Carol Broadwater. 

Photo by CSI Regena Hedrick, OFO.