Page 26 - gfs0418_Magazine

COMMANDER’S UPDATE

Soldiers line up to order food at the
new Army food trucks outside the
Marne Reception Center on Fort Culinary specialists work together in a food
Stewart, March 2017. Fort Stewart truck at Fort Stewart, Ga., last March, to
was chosen as a location to test serve more than a hundred soldiers outside
the brand new food truck program the Marne Reception Center. The soldiers
before it is spread out across the en. The man-portable, modular as possible. We have mul- in this truck were serving burgers and rice
whole Army. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class appliances will also be plug-and- tiple avenues to reach the bowls, made to order, along with sides,
Ben K. Navratil, USA.) salads and drinks. The Army food truck
play providing the capability to community and the portal program is part of a larger feeding concept
interchange the appliance from once system to another. is one of these. We have a meant to improve food quality and choices
for soldiers across the entire Army. (Photo
large number of Blackboard by Sgt. 1st Class Ben K. Navratil, USA.)
Government Food Service: JCCoE contributes to and training classes that can be
cooperates with agencies on efforts to improve health, perfor- accessed via the portal or our web page. The majority of
mance and well-being. Are there any updates to nutritional our audience utilizes the web page for quick access and
programs like Go for Green or the Initial Military Training resources. The portal assists us in supporting larger docu-
menu? Are any new programs being planned? Can you tell ments that need to be accessed via Common Access Card,
us about any progress with work with the U.S. Army Special and are useful tools for the food service community.
Operations Command (USASOC) on the Tactical Human
Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Government Food Service: The Military Culinary Train-
(THOR3) program? ing Event is an annual success. Tell us about 2017, plans
for 2018 and the contribution it makes to improve culinary
Coleman: The Army Food Program employs the guid- performance and skills.
ance provided by Army Regulation 40-25, Nutrition and
Menu Standards for Human Performance Optimization. Coleman: The 42nd Annual Joint Culinary Training
The program is also supported by the Human Performance Exercise (JCTE), formally known as the Military Culinary
Readiness Center, the Surgeon General and Department of Arts Competitive Training Event (MCACTE), was held March
Defense Nutrition Committees. All programs, including 3 to 10, 2017, at Fort Lee, Virginia, with six of the seven
the Soldier Fueling Initiative for Initial Military Training, days conducted for public viewing in the new site, the
Go for Green 2.0, THOR3 and the Performance Triad, have MacLaughlin Fitness Center. The event focused on train-
a sense of continuous improvement aimed at improving ing readiness and professional development of military
diner nutrition through program, products and education. culinarians. The United States Army Quartermaster School
Evaluation tools used by the JCCoE Food Management As- and the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence hosted 257
sistance Teams, the Quality Assurance Division and Military competitors and 27 teams representing all five services
Nutrition Evaluation and Assessment Tool (mNEAT) con- of the U.S. Armed Forces to include Allied members from
tinue to find ways for program enhancements. Leadership France, Germany and The United Kingdom. There were
involvement at the Healthy Army Communities board a total of 500 competitive entries, which were all judged
level continues to drive positive goals for improvements in using American Culinary Federation (ACF) standards. All
health, performance and well-being. JCCoE also welcomes competitors earned ACF certificates of participation, and
the addition of dietary staff at DLA, and looks forward to those who scored in the 70-100 point range earned ACF
working with them to continue our goals. competition medals ranging from bronze to gold.
The event started March 3, 2017, with 20 chefs vying
Government Food Service: How is the Knowledge Portal for the title of Armed Forces Chef of the Year. Key events
progressing? Can you tell us about response, utilization and included the Student Team Skills event, Team Buffet Tables,
any improvements, modifications or revisions? Student Chef of the Year, Nutrition Hot Food Challenge,
Army Enlisted Aide of the Year, Live Hot Food Cooking
Coleman: The Knowledge Portal is updated as often and Pastry events, and the Military Hot Food Kitchen

26 GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • APRIL 2018