{"id":74671,"date":"2025-12-16T18:34:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T18:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2025\/12\/16\/more-troops-may-soon-get-access-to-expanded-food-options\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:25:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:25:20","slug":"more-troops-may-soon-get-access-to-expanded-food-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2025\/12\/16\/more-troops-may-soon-get-access-to-expanded-food-options\/","title":{"rendered":"More troops may soon get access to expanded food options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

More service members may soon be able to use their meal entitlements at locations outside of standard dining facilities<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawmakers want to expand an Army pilot program to all service branches, allowing troops to use meal benefits on base at more locations, according to a provision in the 2026 defense policy bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Army officials were authorized to conduct the pilot program in last year\u2019s defense bill, testing the idea of soldiers using their Common Access Card, or CAC, at eateries outside of the traditional DFACs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fiscal 2026 version of the National Defense Authorization Act has been approved by the House and is awaiting consideration by the Senate this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The military services run more than 400 dining facilities around the world, most of which belong to the Army. But troops have long complained about the lack of healthy dining options on base, from limited operating hours to stingy portions. Defense and service officials<\/a> have been working to address some of the root problems affecting the availability of healthy food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army pilot program, called the Flexible Eating and Expanded Dining Initiative, or FEED, hasn\u2019t yet been rolled out across the entire service, according Army Materiel Command spokeswoman Samantha Tyler. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That command\u2019s Food Innovation and Transformation team is currently working through the final approval process with Army officials, she said. They\u2019ve also been working with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service to make sure the initiative delivers the most nutritious and accessible meal options possible, she added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army conducted a two-week limited test at Fort Hood, Texas<\/a>, in August. During that time, results showed that, when given the opportunity, soldiers used their meal entitlement with AAFES vendors for about 15% of their meals. The soldiers also effectively used the flexibility offered through the program, choosing mealtimes that met operational needs. For example, about 161 lunch entitlements and 30 breakfast entitlements were redeemed after 3 p.m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the test at Fort Hood, soldiers could choose from special menus at Freshens, Qdoba, Burger King and Starbucks at the T.J. Mills Food Court, as well as Subway and Starbucks at the Clear Creek Exchange. <\/p>\n\n\n\t