Food Service System Opinions, Food Preferences, and Foil Pack Food Ratings of Air Force Launch Control Facility Consumers

Survey objectives were: to update and supplement earlier consumer data, confirm or refute existing anecdotes about the Missile Feeding System, provide food preference information for menu planning, and measure acceptance of foil pack foods at mealtimes. Eight hundred Air Force Launch Control Facility consumers were surveyed at three Strategic Air Command Bases, using a combined consumer opinion/food preference questionnaire specifically developed for this System. Responses to the consumer opinion part of the survey revealed poor System performance with respect to quality of foil pack foods; perceived lack of variety and portion size, particularly of short-order foods; and a high incidence of consumers taking their own food to duty with them, an indication that they rejected System-provided food. Food itself and the Site cook were considered very important to well being and morale. Preference ratings for traditionally high-preference foods were higher than obtained in other recent surveys of Air Force personnel. Acceptance levels of foil pack foods as served at mealtimes was low.