DVIDS – News – Army meals undergo ‘million dollar overhaul’ to offer more healthy, dietary-specific choices

Jenn DeHaan | Fort Knox Information

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Fort Knox supplied a menu tasting occasion in Cantigny Eating Facility Oct. 5 as one of many ultimate steps in implementing updates to Military eating that guarantees to supply extra expansive meals decisions for Troopers.

One of many latest members of the Fort Knox eating facility staff, Dana Womack stated the brand new menu consists of a fantastic deal extra vegetarian and gluten-free objects, nutritionally sound meals, and health-conscious preparation methods.

“As the brand new Meals Program supervisor, my aim is to refocus vitamin in all set up Warrior Eating places,” stated Womack. “This begins with reimagining the eating expertise at Fort Knox to incorporate high quality, choice, presentation, coaching and infrastructure.

“It’s about giving each Soldier the chance to have entry to optimum vitamin whereas taking their dietary wants into consideration.”

The brand new program is a part of 1,000,000 greenback overhaul to the present “Go for Inexperienced” shade coding system designed to point out Troopers which meals choices are healthiest, in accordance with Womack. She stated whereas it’s not but mandated Military-wide because it undergoes ultimate modifications, a variety of installations have already carried out the brand new menus.

The hope, in accordance with Womack, is for Fort Knox to have these new modifications absolutely rolled out by mid-November.

Womack defined the objects supplied on this week’s menu tasting had already been permitted by the Joint Culinary Heart of Excellence. Nevertheless, every meals and beverage now faces particular person suggestions primarily based on remark card responses.

One Soldier in attendance stated he was stunned how a lot he loved most of the objects supplied on the tasting, together with among the plant-based and vegan choices.

“I positively would get them as soon as they’re right here,” stated Spc. Antonio Vazquez. “Now that now we have a greater variety of issues, I believe you’ll see much more folks coming over to the DFAC.”

Along with supplying Troopers with dietary choices day-after-day, Womack emphasised the essential position future Cadet Summer time Coaching will play within the eating transition at Fort Knox. The faculty college students obtain each a literal and figurative first style of what it’s wish to eat as a Soldier.

“These are the leaders, the commissioned officers of the longer term, so it’s crucial that they’re uncovered to more healthy meals choices,” stated Womack. “The usual begins with them.”

Fort Knox Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. William Fogle additionally attended the menu tasting. He identified this system’s success isn’t going to simply occur by itself.

“It is a dedication to the navy meals transformation efforts,” stated Fogle. “It’s about getting the proper meals, educating the employees in find out how to put together the objects, and giving Troopers the know-how to pick these objects which can be wholesome for them.

“We will put the wholesome meals on the market, but when we don’t educate them, they don’t seem to be going to have the ability to make these smart selections. It is a collective effort from all people.”

Chief of Vitamin Care Providers Laura Bottoms echoed Fogle’s phrases, saying she hopes these new choices will assist Troopers really feel higher knowledgeable about what the perfect decisions are when within the DFAC. She stated their private confidence in their very own selections is the specified consequence.

“We don’t need to take away that full selection,” stated Bottoms. “There shall be issues on the menu that meet folks’s wants or wishes, however we’ll additionally be sure there are wholesome decisions for people who select them.”

Bottoms stated the general goal is making the DFACs at Fort Knox the premier places for Soldier eating.

“We’re feeding warfighters. That’s our job,” stated Bottoms. “Our main aim is to gas the warfighter. I need them to need to come right here to try this.”