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Fort Carson's Battle Against Poor Food in Soldier Dining Facilities

2024-12-03

At Fort Carson, troops have been raising concerns about the quality and nutritional value of the dining facilities. Posts on the Hots & Cots app have shed light on issues such as small portions, food shortages, and poor food quality dating back to March. While officials aim to improve, the situation remains a cause for concern.

Uncovering the Truth about Fort Carson's Dining Facilities

Section 1: The Impact of Poor Food Quality

Troops at Fort Carson have been facing a significant issue with the quality of the food served. As evidenced by the posts on Hots & Cots, meals often lack substance. For example, a thermometer at a sushi station read 50 degrees Fahrenheit on September 28, well above the recommended 41 degrees for raw fish. Another post on November 19 showed a pile of dry lima beans and a piece of garlic toast as dinner. The lack of protein and the overcooked or hard nature of the food is a cause for worry. As one poster said on November 22, "The amount of protein you get is terrible. The food is: small corn barely bigger than my pinkie, rice – overcooked, bread – hard. Terrible vegetable spread but don't worry they have chopped olives and jalapeños."This poor food quality is not an isolated incident. The 2023 GAO report also highlighted that service members often rely on microwaveable meals or fast food due to food challenges at various military installations, leading to health problems. With most new recruits living in barracks and having limited access to kitchen equipment, the dining facilities play a crucial role in their diet.

Section 2: Nutritional Standards and the Reality

The Army has set nutrition standards for enlisted members based on their level of activity. Men are supposed to get 3,400 calories per day, and women 2,300 calories. However, the images posted on Hots & Cots show a clear disparity between these standards and the actual meals being served. This raises questions about whether the troops are getting the proper nutrition they need to maintain their health and perform their duties.Basic Subsistence Allowance deductions are taken out of a troop's paycheck to pay for their access to dining facilities. Each enlisted service member at Fort Carson has a BAS deduction of $460.25 per month. But the quality of the food does not seem to justify this expense.

Section 3: Efforts to Improve and the Need for Consistency

Lt. Col. Joey Payton, a spokesperson for Fort Carson, has acknowledged the challenges and is taking steps to improve. The dining facility council is being reinvigorated to bring together brigade-level leadership and ensure leader emphasis across food service facilities. There have also been some improvements seen in the Thanksgiving holiday meal, as shown in late November posts on Hots & Cots.However, Evans emphasizes the need for consistency across branches and facilities. "Are we going to continue the consistency of providing these high-quality meals to our service members who are essentially forced to eat in these dining facilities? They sign a contract, they put their lives on the line. I think we owe it to them to make sure that they're getting the proper nutrition," he said.In conclusion, the dining facilities at Fort Carson face significant challenges in terms of food quality and nutritional value. While efforts are being made to improve, there is a long way to go to ensure that troops are getting the meals they deserve. The consistency across branches and facilities is crucial to address this issue and provide the best possible support to the troops.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is making a significant push to engage the community during Giving Tuesday, which falls on December 3. This initiative aims to address the critical issue of hunger in the region.

Join the Fight Against Hunger on Giving Tuesday

Monetary Donations: A Powerful Impact

Second Harvest encourages individuals to make monetary donations by visiting their website at https://netfoodbank.org/ and clicking on the “Giving Tuesday” pop-up link. With just $1, they can provide up to four meals to the over 87,000 people facing hunger in our area. These donations play a crucial role in enabling Second Harvest to continue feeding the hungry. By contributing, you become a part of the solution, helping to ensure that those in need have access to nutritious food.

Donating money allows Second Harvest to secure and distribute a significant amount of food and grocery products to nonprofit agencies. These agencies, in turn, provide essential services to the needy, ill, elderly, children, unhoused, and working poor in the eight-county region of Northeast Tennessee. Your donation directly impacts the lives of these individuals and families.

Moreover, the convenience of making a donation online or by phone makes it easy for everyone to get involved. You can schedule a time to volunteer during the holiday season by calling (423) 279-0430. Volunteering not only helps those in need but also brings a sense of community and fulfillment.

Volunteering: Making a Difference in Person

In addition to monetary donations, volunteering is another powerful way to make a difference. By giving your time, you can directly interact with those facing hunger and provide them with support and assistance. Whether it's helping to sort and distribute food, preparing meals, or assisting at a food drive, every hour you volunteer counts.

Volunteering during the holiday season adds an extra layer of joy and warmth. It shows that the community cares and is willing to come together to help those in need. You'll have the opportunity to meet new people, build connections, and make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Second Harvest's volunteer program is designed to be flexible and accommodating. You can choose the time and activities that suit your schedule and interests. Whether you have a few hours to spare or can commit to a more extensive volunteer role, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

The Impact of Second Harvest's Work

Second Harvest's efforts in feeding the hungry in Northeast Tennessee are truly remarkable. By working with nonprofit agencies, they are able to reach a wide range of individuals and families in need. Their work not only provides immediate relief but also helps to address the root causes of hunger.

Through their distribution network, Second Harvest ensures that food reaches those who are most vulnerable. They work tirelessly to secure donations and partnerships, allowing them to provide a consistent supply of food to the community. This helps to build a more resilient and food-secure region.

Your support through monetary donations or volunteering can help Second Harvest continue their important work. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no one in our region goes hungry. Let's come together on Giving Tuesday and show our commitment to ending hunger.

Roula Khalaf, the esteemed Editor of the FT, handpicks her beloved stories in this weekly newsletter. It offers a unique glimpse into the world of journalism and provides valuable insights. Let's delve deeper into the details.

Free Access to Editor's Favorite Stories

Unhealthy Breakfast Cereals and the UK Junk Food Advertising Ban

From next year, unhealthy versions of breakfast cereals like muesli, porridge oats, and granola will be included in the UK junk food advertising ban. This move aims to reduce children's exposure to high-fat, high-sugar, or high-salt foods and combat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes. Pitta bread snacks, rice cakes, tea and coffee with added sugar also fall under the regulations. The UK government hopes to remove 7.2 billion calories per year from UK children's diets, preventing an estimated 20,000 cases of childhood obesity. Health secretary Wes Streeting emphasizes the serious impact of obesity on children, stating that it robs them of the best start in life and leads to a lifetime of health problems while costing the NHS billions.New rules on Tuesday have revealed the scope of these restrictions, covering a wide range of products from ready meals and stuffed pasta to granola, oat-based cereals, and confectionery, as well as soft drinks, ice cream, and pizza. Savory snacks like crisps, pitta bread-based snacks, rice cakes, pretzels, poppadoms, and salted popcorn are also included. NHS data shows that one in eight toddlers and primary school children are obese, and one in five children have tooth decay due to excess sugar consumption. NHS England national medical director Sir Stephen Powis warns that this level of childhood obesity is storing up problems for the future NHS, which already spends billions dealing with the issue.Marketing executives have raised questions about the effectiveness of the ban and the potential loss of crucial advertising revenues for media groups. The Advertising Association points out that the government's impact assessment shows that the policy's impact on reducing the daily calorie intake of an average child will be minimal at best while potentially costing the sector millions of pounds. This will have an inevitable impact on the creative industries and wider economic growth that advertising plays a key role in driving.

How Products Are Classified Under the Ban

To fall within the pre-watershed ban, products must be in one of the listed categories and also be deemed unhealthy through a scoring system that measures energy, saturated fat, total sugar, and sodium against more beneficial nutrients. For example, natural yoghurt and unsweetened yoghurt may be allowed, while flavoured Greek-style versions, probiotic yoghurts, kids' yoghurts, fat-free and low-fat yoghurts, and drinking yoghurts could be prohibited. This shows the careful consideration and detailed classification involved in the ban to ensure it achieves its intended goals.The Food and Drink Federation emphasizes the need for the advertising regulator to publish its implementation guidance as soon as possible to help businesses comply. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and that the ban is implemented effectively.In conclusion, this free access to the Editor's Digest brings to light important issues related to junk food advertising and childhood obesity. It highlights the efforts being made to address these problems and the potential impacts on various sectors. By understanding these details, we can better support initiatives aimed at improving public health.