The article in the Mirror concerning Fred Imler's induction into the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame was well written and descriptive of Imler Poultry and the service it provides to consumers.
On many occasions in the 1980s and 1990s, I was assigned as a federal food inspector (U.S. Department of Agriculture) to perform compliance checks on Imler's facility, products, trucks, etc., at the Eldorado location.
Imler set the bar for excellence at a very high level.
His employees, the equipment they worked with and ultimately the product they produced reflected Imler's stringent requirements for the products that bore his name.
As he outgrew the Eldorado facility and moved to Beale Avenue, his resolve never changed or diminished even though he had many more employees, more trucks, a number of chicken slicing machines and, of course, more responsibility in conforming to USDA standards.
Imler was always the gentleman, consistently professional and a pleasure to work with as inspector to plant owner.
Since my retirement, I have toured Imler Poultry facilities in Duncansville and have observed that the integrity of the Imler family has not changed from those earlier days.
The public can rest assured that Imler Poultry products, whether at their outlet store or that the literally tons of chicken they put on the market, are federally inspected and of the highest standard of quality.
I would be remiss if I were not to mention that Fred Imler II and his son, Bryan, are well prepared to assume the responsibility of carrying on the impeccable name of Imler Poultry. They are both involved in the operation on a 24/7 basis.
Fred Imler will leave big shoes to fill if and when he retires, but Fred II and his son will be capable of filling those shoes.
The years will come and go, but integrity instilled in them will ensure that Imler Poultry has few peers.
Romeo J. DeBartolome Jr.
Altoona
