Food fair exhibits new options for Sailors

Food vendors from across the Southeast Region spent hours setting up lavish displays and buffets of new items for sample as well as items that are already being used aboard some naval installations today.

The purpose of the food fair was to allow personnel to sample items that may be used on the menu at the Flight Line Café in the future also to allow International Jobbers (IJ), one of the main distributors of food items to the Flight Line Café, the ability to make decisions about what to add to their food catalog based on the Sailor's critiques. Those who took the opportunity to taste some of the free cuisine were asked to provide feedback to Flightline Café and IJ staff. That feedback will be analyzed and decisions will be made on what to keep, what to add and what to get rid of on the different menus.

"Our focus today was to bring in new foods to the dining facility here," commented Food Service Officer CWO3 Ruth Alecca. "We also want to be able to provide a variety of foods that the Sailors like to eat."

Ribs on Wheels food vendors had plenty of vittles on hand to keep the long line of civilians and Sailors filled up and satisfied.

Morale is a big issue for the Food Service Division. They understand the important role that food plays in keeping Sailors happy.

"This is a morale booster for the troops because the younger Sailors, who are a very large part of our customer base, will get a chance to sample a product, see if they like or don't like it and submit their input which will in turn be used to make future decisions concerning the menu," stated Flight Line Café crewmember CS1(SW/AW) Arthur Jenkin. "This is their chance to make the menu better suited to their personal tastes."

SKSN Alejandra Gutierrezalda of VS-22, took the opportunity to sample the ribs and the Cuban pork, which were items available to sample from the local food vendor Ribs on Wheels.

"These are definitely items that I would love to see on the mess line. I think it's great that they are thinking about what we want and I love the whole idea of this fair," she stated.

The Food Service Division works hard to serve nutritious, high-quality meals. The food fair allowed personnel to see what they were getting, where it comes from and gave them the opportunity to put in their two cents on the items.

U.S. Navy Search and Rescue Swimmer School Instructor AW1(AW) Patrick Frizzelle samples some of the coconut shrimp that was available at the fair.

"For a low fee you can get a tremendous meal with the option to go back for seconds. The quality of food that you would get out in town will be the same as the food at Flight Line Café because we are getting our food from the same distributors that local restaurants are using," commented Supply Department Head Cmdr. Frank Sarra. "If you haven't eaten at Flight Line Café, I would encourage you to stop by and see what we have to offer. I challenge you to find a better quality and nutritionally-balanced meal anywhere else for the price of a meal here, which is $3.65 daily."

The Flight Line Café is hosting its monthly Menu Review Board meeting April 30 at 2 p.m. in the galley. All commands are welcome to send a representative. Galley personnel will be showcasing various food items provided by their prime vendor, I J Food Services. Please stop by to give your constructive feedback.