Chat - Valerie Hannig

Valerie Hannig, Newark-Del.-based food safety and government relations administrator for The Oppenheimer Group, took time for a Fresh Talk chat this morning. Valerie is also a member(since June 2007) of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group.


9:01 AM me: This still a good time for you?
9:01 AM valerie: Yep
9:02 AM Great. Thanks for being part of another Fresh Talk chat. Also, thanks for being a part of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group. It's nice to see the group grow, and I appreciate your participation. Tell us a little about your job in the produce industry...

9:06 AM valerie: I work for The Oppenheimer Group, an importer of fresh produce as the Food Safety & Government Regulations Administrator. Basically I deal with any Food Safety Issues, Import Permits; Pesticide, Organic, and other regulatory issues, as well as point person for our C-TPAT and COOL programs.

9:08 AM me: That's a lot on your plate. Take us back to the beginnings. Where did you grow up and how did your life path lead you to the wonderful world of fresh produce?

9:10 AM valerie: I grew up in central New Jersey. My parents were both educators. I originally wanted to work in plant genetic research. I went to Delaware Valley College and was told I would have to double major in Food Industry and Biology, so I just majored in Food Industry.
9:16 AM Basically when you graduated back then you went into Production, Quality Control, or Research and Development. Back then women were usually hired as QC. I started out in the meat industry in the lab doing protein and fat analysis. I moved to Massachusetts and worked in the fresh salad industry (meat, pasta, etc.) Not only did I have to come up with new salads, I also was in charge of QC which also meant food safety. I got pretty burnt out working in the manufacturing environment so I got out of it, but I would not have traded the experiences I had for anything.

9:20 AM me: I appreciated seeing you at United public policy conference - where you reminded me I owe you a coffee mug (I'm working on it - sorta) What kind of industry events do you attend, given the scope of your responsibilities? How did you like the WPPC this year?

9:25 AM valerie: I go to all things regulatory. I am a member of the UFPA Food Safety & Technology Council which is a really great group of people! I really enjoyed the WPPC this year. I have to say, when I went to it 2 years ago I saw eyes glazing over at the mention of food safety, and I thought, the produce industry is the next to get hit. The next day was the Spinach Crisis. Unfortunately, it always takes something like this to get the affected industry to get on the ball, but I have seen great things happen in the 2 years since!

9:29 AM I have to say, after all my years in different industries, when I look back there has been a major change in the attitude towards food safety. The problem I see now is that I live this and I talk to consumers who , for example, have no clue what listeria is. That bothers me because they really need to be informed, so I am trying, in my own small way to get the word out. Your blog, as well as Barfblog is a big help as well.

9:32 AM me: I promised not to keep you longer than 30 minutes, and my time is up. Thanks for checking in Valerie, and we will do another chat again, if you would. Thanks and keep watching for the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group coffee mug!

9:33 AM valerie: Sure thing!! Anytime--Thanks for asking me!