Food transformation test locations begin campus dining concept

  • Published
  • By Erin Tindell
  • Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  Airmen at the six Air Force Food Transformation Initiative pilot installations will experience more variety for their meal choices when the program expands to a campus-style dining concept this summer.

The initiative, known as FTI, is a pilot program launched in October 2010 with a goal to better serve the dining needs for today's Airmen. The pilot locations are Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; MacDill AFB, Fla.; Patrick AFB, Fla.; and Travis AFB, Calif.

Campus-style dining will launch at Patrick AFB and MacDill July 5.

Currently, Airmen who are part of the essential station messing program are only authorized to use their meal cards at the installation dining facility. Under FTI's campus-style dining concept, Air Force Services Agency officials said Airmen will be able to use their meal cards at most force support squadron nonappropriated fund dining venues, expanding their ability to eat meals at several locations.

"Today's Airmen want a variety of dining choices and quality meals at a reasonable price," said George Miller, AFSVA food and beverage operations chief. "Offering Airmen more dining options throughout the installation not only gives them more freedom, but creates a community atmosphere."

FTI initially fostered a greater sense of community when the pilot installation dining facilities opened in late 2010 to all members of the installation, including civilians, family members, contractors and retirees. Additionally, the dining facilities added new and healthier menu options and increased operating hours to allow diners more time to eat meals throughout the day.

Campus-style dining is just one more aspect of this initiative to re-engineer the Air Force dining delivery model for the first time in nearly 64 years. FTI also incorporates nonappropriated food venues such as clubs and bowling centers and golf course snack bars.

"Services is committed to delivering exceptional quality of life programs to our Air Force communities," Miller said. "This is just another exciting initiative we developed to ensure our most important asset, our people, is taken care of. We will continue to make changes and improve upon this program to deliver even more benefits and efficiencies."

For more information about Air Force foodservice operations and other quality of life programs, visit www.usafservices.com or www.myairforcelife.com.