Food transformation continues to see positive results by Erin Tindell Air Force Personnel, Service and Manpower Public Affairs 4/29/2011 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- The Air Force Food Transformation Initiative was launched Oct. 1, 2010, at six installations, with a goal of better serving the dining needs of today's Airmen. Air Force officials said they are pleased with the pilot program's initial results, which are aligned with the Department of Defense's effort to increase efficiencies. Additionally, overall feedback indicates Airmen are happy with the expanded menu, healthier options and increased hours of operation. "The most popular success story is the variety and quality of the food at the Warrior and Ross dining facilities," said Lt. Col. Brant Folken, the 92nd Force Support Squadron commander at Fairchild Air Force Base. "I constantly have people telling me how much they like all the new menu items." In March, services officials reported a 22-percent customer increase as of December 2010, as well as an essential feeding meal card usage increase of 24 percent. Customer satisfaction rates have improved as well, officials said. The overall dining-facility rating, as well as the food-selection and variety ratings, are up by nearly 12 percent at the pilot locations. The hours-of-operation rating has increased by 10 percent. Since December, pilot location dining facilities expanded eligibility to civilians, families and retirees, with the intention of encouraging an enhanced sense of community. "We have received numerous compliments from all of these groups stating how much they enjoy eating at the Riverside Dining Facility," said Maj. Robert Jackson, the 45th Force Support Squadron commander at Patrick AFB. Installation commanders at each location also decided to include their nonappropriated fund food operations such as clubs, and bowling center and golf course snack bars, under the FTI concept. This will eventually allow Airmen on essential feeding to utilize their entitlement at participating NAF food and beverage operations, officials said. The concept known as "campus dining" is still under development and will be tested this summer. In addition, FTI dining facilities are scheduled for renovations to upgrade their appearance and functionality of the serving and dining areas. "The Warrior Inn will add more cashier stations and upgrade the (serving) areas to improve customer flow through the food line," Colonel Folken said. "The extra cashier stations are an important touch due to the increases in customers since the implementation of FTI." Officials encourage dining patrons at the pilot locations to leave feedback and suggestions for improvements through customer comment cards at the various facilities. The pilot locations are Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; MacDill AFB, Fla.; Patrick AFB, Fla.; and Travis AFB, Calif. For more information about FTI and other quality of life programs, visit www.usafservices.com.