Food transformation under way at Iditarod

  • Published
  • By Luke Waack
  • JBER PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Community members here are seeing a new era in food service operations with the Air
Force Food Transformation Initiative, which began Oct. 1 at the Iditarod Dining Facility.

FTI is a pilot program designed to provide Airmen with improved food quality, variety
and availability, while maintaining home station and war fighting feeding capabilities.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is one of six pilot locations including Fairchild Air
Force Base, Wash., Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

Air Force officials said research indicated Airmen desired more menu variety and increased operating hours.

"FTI is designed to meet those desires while executing sound stewardship of taxpayer
dollars," said Col. Sandra Adams, Air Force Services Agency commander. "The initiative
will save Air Force major commands an estimated 36 percent in budget food service contract costs. Additionally, our Airmen on meal cards will continue to receive meals at no cost." During the initial phase of implementation, Airmen at the pilot locations will see new aesthetic designs, gourmet-style menu selections and increased operating hours at dining facilities so they have more time to complete their missions.

Additionally, the initiative seeks to restore a sense of community by allowing civilians,
families and retirees to eat at pilot installation dining facilities.

The first upgrades were completed Monday.

"We are excited to begin this innovative program, and we will continue to adjust
to changing lifestyles, needs and preferences through improved efficiency and reducing
costs," Colonel Adams said. "The Air Force has partnered with the FTI contractor to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible for the pilot installations."

Future implementation of FTI at additional bases will be considered based on the results at the pilot installations.

For more information about FTI call Ms. Erin Tindell, (210) 565-2334.