Interesting facts from department of agriculture

As you now might know, I was fired from Flying J's Travel Plaza wrongfully. I was outspoken and against selling expired items and employee abuse.


I just spoke with a rep. from the Department of Agriculture and on February 25th the initial call I made for Investigation of our Plaza.
showed that expired items were on the shelves for sale.

In the February 25th Investigation, there were 8 expired items found
and no spoiled items.

In the April 3rd Investigation, there were no expired items found and no spoiled items found.

I was fired on April 1st 2008 and alerted Corporate on March 31st 2008 about expired items being on the shelf and for sale.

A week or so Before the Initial Investigation of February 25th, I worked 3rd shift with Penny the Night Manager and we both pulled over 75 expired
items from the shelves.

I was scourned for performing actions that were the Flying J's way, as in
making sure you receive the best quality products and service.
I was told not to mention to you that an item was expired or spoiled during your purchase. I did not agree with this and such prompted me
to contact the Department of Agriculture.

After the February 25th Investigation, at our Monthly meeting for March
the Merchandise Manager said we did a phenominal Job when the Health Department came in, she said there was only "3" items found.

I had for this meeting told Mildred another Night Manager that I was going to prepare two questions asking about the issue of expired items and the treatment of employee's.

I did so ask these questions and after the meeting of employee's was pulled aside for a meeting about me and was told again, not to pull expired items or to alert you of an item that might cause you harm or sickness.

I persisted and did what was right and did not sell you expired items, but I did not pull items and alerted Corporate office on March 31st 2008 that expired items were on the shelves and that I would probably be terminated by my boss for pulling them. the next day I was fired wrongfully and in such recieve unemployment for "hostile work enviroment" from an "at will" employment facility.. If there was a true issue of hostility or that I was creating a violent atmosphere, I wouldve not received unemployment.

The actions of notifying Corporate office when the chain of command at the store become a problem, did create a better place by the Department of Agriculture records. Or, were they just cleaning up because they fired me and knew that I would follow through? as always, I did follow through
with my company.

Interesting fact stated by Department of Agriculture Rep was that convenience store are able to have up to 25 expired items insdie of the store for sale without receiving a violation.

I've pulled on some nights three times as much expired product than allowed by the Department of Agriculture.

I hope this allow's you to know my deidcation and that Corporate office does listen, they have cleaned up and I believe my raising of the issues has created a better venue fir you.

although, we will test the trials of time and in approximately One week,
I will be back with the results from the Department of Agriculture for
May 9th 2008. By speaking with the Rep, Another Investigation has been
prompted into effect.

If they get "0" expired items again, I will know that even in the loss I incurred that I did previal in making a change.

Let us hope for "0" expired items,


Ronald C. Kitchens

 

Just spoke with Department of Agriculture Representative and Flying J's In Commerce Georgia is doing better about there expired dry foods and with commitment have said they intend to better by there deli times. but, there were 4 expired items found at the plaza which were a violation and cited as one.

There were 4 expired milk products on the shelves and as usual the blame was placed on the vender, in which the Department of Agriculture does not account that blame to the vender as it is the stores responsibility to
pull expired items. Milk items, or any item out of date as in meats are not subject to the 25 expired items aloited, they are an immediate violation.

Can you believe my General Manager and Merchadise Manager believed it to acceptable to sell you these items? I didnt beleive to be right in any means to sell you expired milk or expired dry items, no matter if they wouldve tasted good for 10 years after expiration. Expired is expired and is ineligible for sale with fresh items, those items if allowed to sell must be marked with a tag, a date and discounted, seperated from fresh quality products. Basically, everyone I worked for was dumb to facts and law and inadequate in there jobs as Flying J's is set to provide the best quality products. Im disapointed that I was fired, Im extremly disapointed that they cant comply with the law and cant accept the fault of there lack in interest in serving you.


4 EXPIRED MILK ITEMS


Sincerely,

Ronald Kitchens