Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga visited the StarKist Samoa Plant last Thursday to witness first-hand the operation of assembling Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) products widely used by the United States Armed Forces.
The Governor had requested the tour.
A retired US Army veteran, Governor Lemanu during the tour, reminisced about when he served in Iraq.
“These MREs served as a piece of home to all Samoan service members, and a moment of pride to witness the American Samoa flag labeled on the package,” said the Governor.
Inspectors from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, and the Defense Logistics Agency of the US Department of Defense accompanied the Governor.
Mr. Louis Obot, the lead inspector of the MRE operation, is also the senior marketing specialist and the operations ration team lead for the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialist Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI), National Programs Mission Support. He has visited American Samoa for more than 10 years conducting inspections of the StarKist MRE operations.
Also present was Vice President of Supply & Logistics in Reston, Virginia, Mr. Earl Moynihan.
StarKist Samoa Plant Director/General Manager Injoo Ha led the tour and explained the MRE process.
With over 40 options today, the MREs produced at StarKist Samoa in the past week include tuna lemon pepper, and sweet and spicy flavors.
The top-quality products are labeled “Product of American Samoa” made by StarKist employees, many of whom have family members – children, spouses, parents, aunts and uncles – serving in different branches of the US Armed Forces.
