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| News > Air Force Food Transformation Initiative wins big award |
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Air Force Food Transformation Initiative wins big award
Posted 6/20/2013
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by Senior Airman Jamie Jaggers
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
6/20/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- An Air Force food initiative was recently selected top in its class by a civilian association, as it progresses into its second phase of deployment.
The National Restaurant Association recently held its second annual "Operator Innovations Awards," judged by a panel of 11 leading food industry operators.
Out of five distinct categories, including food safety, health and nutrition, menu development, sustainability and technology, the Air Force took the top honors in the health and nutrition category for its Food Transformation Initiative, or FTI.
"Air Force food service personnel are feeding the force of freedom around the globe and health and nutrition is mission critical to sustain the force," said Jim Krueger, the chief of Air Force Food & Beverage Business Development.
The Air Force was chosen amongst other well-known industry leaders. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, with restaurants serving up to 3,000 lunches daily, won for technology; and Ninety Nine Restaurants, serving more than 2 million customers per year in 100 locations, took first in food safety.
"Walt Disney and the U. S. Air Force sharing the same stage is really, really cool," said Col. Tom Joyce, the director of Services at Air Force Personnel Center.
FTI began as a pilot program on six installations to provide Airmen healthy choices.
"This industry wide recognition validates FTI as revolutionizing Air Force Food Service by providing new healthy selections, improved cooking methods, expanded meal availability, and creative merchandising to guide customers toward healthier choices," said Fred McKenney, the chief of Air Force Food and Beverage.
The second phase of FTI is underway at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; Beale AFB, Calif.; and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
Throughout 2013, these bases will renovate their dining facilities to convert them from an institutional-style feeding platform to station feeding found on most college campuses.
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