JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ –
Approximately 38,000 Air Force members on ESM receive a variety of entitlements through the F&B program worldwide every day. JB MDL Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Food & Beverage (F&B) operations are getting up to speed on technology and Point of Sale (POS) systems to support CDS – as well as revamping F&B menus to distinguish “healthier” menu items. Once implemented, active duty Air Force ESM members at JB MDL will be able to utilize expanded benefits using a portion of their daily ESM entitlement in participating NAF activities.
At a majority of installations, ESM customers are limited to food options within Dining Facilities using their entitlements through the system Corporate Automated Foodservice Enterprise (CAFÉ). This system allows the F&B team located at the AFSVC under the Air Force Installation Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) in San Antonio to monitor usage.
“JB MDL is excited to continue CDS allowing our active duty Airmen on ESM the privilege of variety and increased accessibility with access to our NAF F&B operations,” said Lt Col Kira Cooper, 87th Force Support Squadron commander. “With current anticipated expanding operations in our reopening NAF F&B operations, members who have been authorized by their squadron commanders to participate in CDS are validated within our FSS CAFÉ system and can use their entitlements at our NAF F&B operations.”
The CDS managed by AFSVC allows access to participating NAF operations. Active duty Air Force ESM members present their CAC for validation in the participating F&B operations. Once validated, ESM members are allowed up to $6 for Breakfast and up to $12 each for lunch and dinner per day in our F&B activities for those authorized ESM eligible items.
Campus Dining System (CDS) Day Parts in NAF F&B operations are as follows:
04:00 AM – 09:59 AM BREAKFAST ESM have access in CDS up to $6.00 each day
10:00 AM – 02:59 PM LUNCH ESM have access in CDS up to $12.00 each day
03:00 PM – 08:59 PM DINNER ESM have access in CDS up to $12.00 each day
These eligible items focus on access to food items closer to Airmen’s’ work centers. ESM members are reminded that their entitlement is for their own personal consumption, not to be used for other than the authorized member presenting their CAC entitlement. The AFSVC manages the system through automated reporting from activity to activity and uses this data to budget, audit and manage the program.
The JB MDL F&B operation currently participating in the CDS program is Pudgy’s Sport Pub. Additionally, JB MDL’s Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility is open to all customers with base access.
“We are excited to see our customer’s reactions as we continue to provide innovative solutions for our Air Force members,” said Mr. Bill Spencer, Air Force Food & Beverage Division chief. “AFSVC has worked behind the scenes during COVID-19 remotely, upgrading menu offerings”.
“The Air Force Services Center continues to deliver installations customer friendly food and beverage solutions where we can," said Jim Krueger, AFSVC Air Force Food and Beverage Strategic Initiatives chief. “While we desire to expand CDS and deliver on innovation and transformation under our Health Food Initiatives, it takes upfront installation partners, funding, coordination and agreed partnerships across the enterprise. Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility also accepts credit cards, another customer friendly program. The DFAC continues to update weekly menus, expanding more and more variety of healthy food options that will also include plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan selections.”
“The Air Force is the only branch of the service uniquely structured under Air Force Installation Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) to deliver Campus Dining, as both APF and NAF food and beverage operations are managed and supported with the same technology systems at AFSVC,” Krueger said. “The Air Force is the only service branch to also manage all F&B operations using an à la carte system, allowing the individual member to select only what they desire using their Common Access Card (CAC).”
As of 1 March 2021, JB MDL is one of 27 operational Air Force installations providing the CDS to active duty Airmen.
Check out all food & beverage offerings JB MDL has available at https://gomdl.com/activities/