New AF dining program opens doors for retirees

News > New AF dining program opens doors for retirees

New AF dining program opens doors for retirees

Posted 4/20/2010 Updated 4/20/2010

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by 1st Lt. Gina Vaccaro McKeen
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

4/20/2010 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFRNS) -- Thanks to the Air Force's Food Transformation Initiative, retirees at six bases will soon be able to use military food service establishments previously reserved for active-duty Airmen.

Retirees will pay the same market price as everyone else, and there will not be an added surcharge on top of the menu price.

The six Air Force bases participating in the initiative are Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Patrick AFB, Fla., MacDill AFB, Fla., Fairchild AFB, Wash., Little Rock AFB, Ark., and Travis AFB, Calif.

This pilot program not only opens food establishments to all members of the base community, but customers will also see changes to food and beverage options, resulting in greater quality and variety, said Air Force Services Agency officials.

Diners will see an overall increase in the variety and availability of healthy menu options on base.

With FTI, the Air Force is changing the way it delivers food in order to meet the needs of today's Airmen. For the past 60 years, the Air Force has been feeding Airmen based on a much larger, more stationary force. With the transition to a smaller, expeditionary force, Air Force leaders are looking to make dining programs more flexible, available, and efficient.

"FTI is about Airmen and for Airmen," said Brian Floyd, the deputy director of the force support squadron at Travis Air Force Base, one of the pilot bases for this initiative. "We have heard loud and clear what our Airmen want, and FTI is all about offering them better quality food, more variety and a sense of community when dining."

FTI will reinvigorate Air Force dining by hiring a contractor to transition to hybrid facilities on bases that will be open to the entire base populace, much like common business and university campuses, services officials said.

Many base dining facilities have use rates of less than 50 percent. Instead of closing these facilities, Air Force plans call for transforming operations. This transformation will preserve the mission of providing meals to Airmen and bringing positive changes to the way Airmen are fed on base, services agency officials said.

While services officials are excited about the forthcoming changes, they emphasized things will not happen immediately and that each base will be different. The first phase of the program is about improving menu options, they said, and the total transformation will take time.

Opening the transformed dining venues to retirees and base employees will restore a sense of community because everyone will be able to eat together, Mr. Floyd said.

"Now all of these groups of people will be able to share quality food in a family type of atmosphere at the dining hall as well as at other food venues on base," he explained.

Comments

8/27/2010 8:39:26 AM ET
I was told I could eat but my family had to leave.

Michael Lanning, Pope AFB

7/5/2010 7:49:42 PM ET
The article states that Patrick AFB is one of the test sites. We are at the Patrick AFB Famcamp and the dining facility has a sign at the door that states RETIRES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO EAT AT THIS FACILITY.

James Hobin, Patrick AFB Fl

6/19/2010 1:10:57 PM ET
Thank you. Please pass the SOS--Midnight chow was a lifesaver.

Msgt. Michael McFalls USAF Ret., Asheville N.C.

6/15/2010 1:35:57 PM ET
THIS IS GREAT NEWS.I WOULD HOPE THAT ALL BRANCHES OF SERVICE WOULD EXTEND THIS BENEFIT TO MILITARY RETIREES IN VIEW OF TODAY'S ECONOMY AND HIGH PRICES FOR HEALTHY MEALS AT RESTAURANTS THIS WOULD CERTAINLY HELP THE RETIREE BUDGET. THIS BENEFIT, I AM SURE, WOULD ALSO MOTIVATE RECRUITING AND RETENTION. THANK YOU TO THE AIR FORCE FOR THIS PROGRESSIVE STEP AND APPRECIATION TO RETIREES

SFC LAMBIASE US ARMY RET, HAMPTON ROADS VIRGINIA

5/2/2010 9:29:29 PM ET
Great news Air Force. I hope they'll open up the Guam Andersen Air Force Base. There is a lot of retires there. I hope the Navy follows suit over there. Thanks Air Force.

Mac Chargualaf, norther marianas

5/2/2010 7:07:36 PM ET
I spend time at McDill AFB on occasion accompanied by my spouse Is this invitation extended to family members as well?

David Pettitt, Cape Coral Fl33904

5/2/2010 12:56:07 AM ET
Thankgiving meal in the Dining Hall are the best I have enjoyed with my family during my active-duty career with the exception of the traditional family home-cooked meal. We always looked forward to the special treat and honor of eating in the Dining Hall and feel this is an outstanding business decision -- way to go USAF. Very many thanks to the one that came up with this suggestion and those that saw the vision to implement it.

T. Baksh, Avon Park Air Force Range Fla

4/29/2010 12:28:45 PM ET
Great idea As an RV'er I miss the dining facilities. In 2003 Travis had 2 facilities open to retirees. For some reson the commander had them closed. I could not find an in-place process to petition for reopening. Would like to see this at every base that has a Fam Camp.

jon andersen, retired

4/27/2010 8:54:05 PM ET
Great idea. Why not Luke Air Force Base in Glendale Arizona? We have a Large population of retirees.

Joe Espinoza, Glendale Arizona

4/27/2010 8:47:36 PM ET
I live close to Fort Benning Georgia and I have been hoping for a program like this. I know Benning is Army and they are expanding through BRAC but it sure would be nice to chow down with the troops and eat healthy at a decent price.

Lenny Grant, Seale AL

4/27/2010 7:05:20 PM ET
When does this go in to effect

Clark Schumacher, California

4/27/2010 1:46:23 PM ET
Does this include retiree's spousechildren

Gerald Groomes USAF Retired, Leola Arkansas

4/27/2010 1:00:23 PM ET
Great News Make sure that you get this info to your FamCamps on these bases. I know I use the facility at Vandenberg AFB CA when I stay there during my travels.

Lori, Pahrump NV

4/27/2010 12:27:33 PM ET
Great idea. Now airmen can have family and friends meet them after work for dinner. And sharing a quick lunch will be an option. I plan to use the dining facilities at Fairchild AFB and at Travis AFB whenever I am traveling there. Thanks. Phillip Johnson

Phil, Spokane Washington

4/27/2010 10:49:39 AM ET
How exiciting. Can't wait for this change to extend to Beale AFB CA

jeanette, Beale AFB CA

4/27/2010 9:54:15 AM ET
My wife and I had an opportunity to eat at the dining facility at CAFB SC last year. It was a contract operation. Food was terrible. I tried to take it back for some further cooking etc the person was rude and basically said if we did not like it don't eat it and do not come back.Your mentioned fifty percent drop in participation is due to tasteless food these young Airmen deserve better. When I was serving on ocassions that the Base had open house affairs both of my children enjoyed going to the Messhall with me.

SMSgt Roger Kastel, Naples FL

4/27/2010 9:53:00 AM ET
When will Travis AFB dining facilities be open to retirees?

RICHARD D PARK, CARMICHAEL CA

4/27/2010 8:56:52 AM ET
The dining facilities would prosper even more if they opened them to Civil Servants that worked on the base. What a blessing that would be and I'm sure most of us would be willing to pay a surcharge as well.

M. PRESSON, MacDill AFB FL

4/27/2010 7:05:41 AM ET
A lot of retirees have their spouse with them Is there any plans to allow them to eat at the dining facilities

John Phillips, Camden Arkansas

4/27/2010 6:43:44 AM ET
Although I am glad to see the AF open up some DFAC to retirees. While tdy to Randolph AFB I had the privelege of dining with retirees and their family members. With that said I'm somewhat curoius about what does it means opening up DFAC to all base employees. Is this to mean contrators and government personel as well? I am starting to wonder if there is a privilage in wearing of the uniform if everyone with access to the base are allowed to use the same facilities as active and retired. Contractors on base have access to almost all of the privileges that military and retirees do. Retired AF MSgt

Manfree38, Scott AFB

4/27/2010 1:54:36 AM ET
Great to see the Dining Halls serving retirees and others on base. Spent several days at Fallon Air Station NV and the retirees were eating there for Sunday brunch. The turn out was very large numbers as all the people said the food was outstanding and quite easy on the pocket book. I can vouch for that. There was also interaction between the Navy and retirees which I think is good for moral. I hope it takes place at other bases like Langley AFB.

John Hille, Newport News VA

4/26/2010 10:49:57 PM ET
Marvelous idea Air Force. I hope that the Army and Navy follow your enlightened lead. I really do miss the hamburg gravy with baking powder biscuits that I grew to love during my time from the 1960s thru 2002. Thanks

John Delemarre, Madison CT

4/26/2010 10:33:18 PM ET
Good to have some other on base meal options hope it goes AF wide soon. Great Idea

Paul Laramie, Tucson Az.

4/20/2010 12:51:50 PM ET
What a blessing to now have a meal choice other than the greasy spoon fast food vendors.

Bof Furrer, Lake Oswego OR 97035

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