Air Force officials award food transformation contract Published Sept. 3, 2010 By Erin Tindell Air Force Services Agency Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Force Services Agency officials announced Aug. 31 the competitive award of a contract to conduct food operations at six Air Force installations as part of the Food Transformation Initiative. The new contractor, ARAMARK, will begin FTI operations Oct. 1 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, Fairchild AFB, Wash., Little Rock AFB, Ark., MacDill AFB, Fla., Patrick AFB, Fla., and Travis AFB, Calif. FTI is a pilot program designed to improve the quality, variety and availability of food operations for Airmen and their families. "FTI not only transforms food service operations to more efficiently meet the needs and preferences of our Airmen, but it also restores a sense of Air Force community by expanding access of these dining facilities to civilians, families and retirees," said Col. Sandra Adams, the AFSVA commander. "We are confident this ground-breaking initiative will enhance food operations at these installations." Part of the enhanced food operations includes expanding readiness training to Airmen so they remain qualified to feed the force both at home or during deployment operations. Additionally, the initiative will allow the Air Force to centrally manage one competitively selected contractor, ARAMARK, who will provide expertise and best practices to the six installations. During the next six months, the pilot bases will see new menus and increased hours of operation. Facility upgrades and the incorporation of nonappropriated fund food operations will be location specific. For more information about FTI and other AFSVA programs geared toward taking care of Airmen and their families, visit www.usafservices.com.