Management Assistance Branch

Food Management Assistance Teams (FMAT)

• FMATs will assess all RA and RC installations that operate full time food service operations on a scheduled or requested basis. Assessments of RC facilities that only operate IDT/weekend drill WRs will be upon request. On scheduled visits, FMATs will review installation food service programs and provide assistance in all areas of food service operations. Requested visits will respond to particular problems identified by the command or provide assistance on operational procedures for a new facility.
• The objectives of the FMAT assessments are to assist in raising the quality of the installation food service program and to increase the effectiveness by identifying programs that are functioning well or that may require improvement. FMATs will use the following format when assessing an installation:
  • (a) Review installation food service program documents
  • (b) Ensure regulatory policies and procedures are uniformly applied to the installation food service program.
  • (c) Instill food service management discipline through emphasis on administration, food preparation, and adherence to menu standards, nutrition awareness, productivity, safely, energy conservation, sanitation, food safety, materiel management, maintenance, budgeting, and subsistence entitlement.
  • (d) Record observations to assist in improving the program and provide a basis for follow-up actions.
  • (e) Review specific areas of interest that have been directed by HQDA.
• The FMAT can be tailored to meet the requirements or concerns of the installation or activity in the following areas:
  • • Facilities layout and equipment
  • • Accountability
  • • Sanitation
  • • Administration
  • • Materiel management
  • • Food preparation
  • • Personnel management
  • • Prime vendor issues
  • • Contracting
  • • Menus and nutrition
• FMAT assessments will be as follows:
  • (a) The FMAT will schedule and visit each AFSB region or installation at least once every 24 months for CONUS and OCONUS.
  • (b) Requested visits will be on an as required basis to respond to a particular problem area. Request will be forwarded through command channels to the JCTD.
  • (c) Request for cancellation of scheduled FMAT assessments must be submitted from the office of the LRC Director or senior commander, addressed to the Commander, U.S. Army Quartermaster School through the Director, JCTD. Request for cancellation must include valid justification for cancellation.
• Each FMAT assessment will be documented by a memorandum.
  • (a) Upon completion of each scheduled assessment, a memorandum outlining observations and recommended corrective actions will be prepared. An overview of findings and recommendations will be out briefed to the installation command or designated representative before the team’s departure. Memorandum of the scheduled assessment will be routed to the assessed Installation Food Program, as prescribed by the applicable ASC and AFSB region.
  • (b) On completion of each requested assessment, a memorandum will be furnished directly to the requesting commander.
• A review of systemic program shortfalls identified during FMAT visits, along with recommended solutions, will be provided in writing to HQDA quarterly. A trend analysis will be maintained and presented as part of the quarterly review.