# Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support hosts subsistence field representative summit 

/ Published Oct. 20, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, 
Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support held a DLA Subsistence supply chain Field Representative Summit October 17-19 in Philadelphia. Field representatives work directly with customers at military bases, schools and American Indian reservations to ensure they receive quality fresh fruit and vegetables. 

The summit included a visit from representatives with the United States Department of Agriculture which works closely with the DLA Troop Support Subsistence supply chain field representatives in documenting compliance of established standards for produce. 

“The primary purpose is to share the experiences and perspectives between contracting specialists, tailored vendor logistics specialists and the field representatives in order to build a good rapport, which will increase their effectiveness,” said DLA Troop Support Subsistence supply chain Chief of Garrison Feeding Southwest Region Wanda Kinsey. “The field representatives are geographically separated from the contracting and tailored vendor logistics specialists located in Philadelphia, so communication is key across the board to ensure we are all working together towards satisfying our warfighters, Indian Tribal Organizations, schools, and non-military customers across U.S.” 

“This face-to-face encounter will enhance these communications and thereby increase mission readiness and customer satisfaction,” Kinsey said.  

The event included various presentations, encompassing the daily duties of field representatives, current and emerging practices of the USDA and multiple breakout sessions on topics on market ready and prime vendor acquisition processes, pre and post award, and the Subsistence Tech/Quality Audit process. Here, all parties shared experiences in the field and brainstormed process improvements that will positively affect future interactions. 

Among the requirements enforced by the field representatives is to ensure that the produce supplied by vendors is grown and processed on U.S. soil following “Made in America” policies which are designed to increase reliance on domestic supply chains and help support local economies. 

Since representatives are limited in number—there are currently 12 DLA subsistence supply chain field representatives in operation—it is crucial for the representatives to handle discrepancies of defective product deliveries—based on quality and origin—to ensure customer orders are received accurately, in good quality condition, and in a timely manner. 

“I can’t be in two places at once as much as I would like to,” said Michael Espinoza, DLA Subsistence supply chain field representative. “Some of the items are scheduled to ship the next day after I see them.” 

Items that are rejected are annotated in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Order Receipt System which then triggers a response for the respective vendor to resend a shipment. 

“I’ve arrived at locations that had items which should have been rejected,” said Sylvia Muniz, DLA Subsistence supply chain field representative. “The customer had already accepted the shipment.” 

“If this happens, I annotate the discrepancy in my report for my supervisors and contracting representatives so that the vendors can be contacted,” said Muniz. 

Following this summit, field representatives will head back to their respective offices all around the U.S. 

“I received a ton of information not only from facilitators but also from each field rep I was able to talk to and go into the history of the job itself,” said Aaron Kemp, one of the newly assigned DLA Subsistence supply chain field representatives.