70 Years R&DA Support to the Military: Looking Back and Forward Mitch Hartson April 2016

Purpose Discuss observations on military feeding programs and recent developments

70 Years of Cooperation Combat Rations Field Feeding Equipment Food Processing Packaging Preservation Distributors Assemblers Supply Chain Managers

Moving Forward  Inter-service cooperation  Co-Location of Services’ Cook Training Programs  Culinary Arts Competition  Nutrition Emphasis

Three Consumer Trends Shaping the Future of Foodservice Hispanics Millennials (Gordon Food Service) Fresh

Millennial Food Preferences 46% say breakfast is inconvenient…requires cleanup of bowls

Army Dining Facility Study (Army Times Report)  1 in 3 dining facilities expected to close or shrink within 3 years  Prime targets for closures are facilities with small # of subsistence-in- kind patrons  Army projects more grab n’ go options, kiosks and menu changes  Menu Changes  Impacts on industry

Revised Army Policy: Korea Effective 2/1/16 Army adopted policy on “Essential Unit Messing” Enlisted Soldiers in rotational units required to eat in DFAC or pay out of pocket Rationale: To improve soldier health and readiness while on extended deployments to Korea

Changing Demographics: Projected Increase in Females Female feeding preferences to have impact on industry Preference for vegetarian foods by females Data show females favor chicken versus beef Spicy foods more popular with males

Army “Health of the Force Study” Office of the Surgeon General

Army Health of the Force Study  Sleep  Physical Training  Nutrition  Injuries  Tobacco

On-Going Challenges Use of Supplements Gluten Free Foods

Use of Supplements in the Military  1994 Legislation exempts supplements from pre-approval by FDA  75% military personnel reported to use dietary supplements  DoD reports > 20K emergency room visits annually traced to use of supplements  Safe use of supplements can be emphasized in nutrition education programs

Gluten Free Foods Presidential Candidate: “No Gluten-Free Meals to the Military”

Current Policy on Gluten-Free Foods Natick Soldier Center reported combatants asking for gluten-free options No current plan by services to provide gluten-free meals or foods Industry sources report perception of gluten free foods being healthier options: “a healthful halo” with many customers

70 Years R&DA Support to the Military April 2016