SSAC Echo | May 2024

From The Kitchen
High Demand for Food Services
Because we have a large and ever-increasing
number of members, we are faced with an
issue of how to provide convenient, efficient
food service to those who require it.
Fortunately, we have a great committee of volunteers
comprising the Food Services Committee (formerly
named the Kitchen Committee). This group advises
the Board on not only kitchen matters but also overall
service, volunteer co-ordination and frozen entrée
supply. The change in name better reflects the range
of their concerns.
Emily assures us that we can adequately meet the
demand for frozen entrées, and the freezer now at the
back of the main office has streamlined their sale.
Where we have the biggest issue is at times of high
demand for in-dining room service. Emily does an
incredible job of estimating numbers of hot entrée
portions required on any given day. Demand seems to
vary based upon the day of the week, what the entrée
of the day is and other unknown factors. Even then it
is hard to predict.
As an example, Fish and Chip Friday is always
popular, except two weeks ago when Friday was
unusually quiet for some reason. However, last Friday
I was informed that a new record of 100 pieces of fish
were served.
One frustration that came up last month was that
when an entrée ran out, there was a complaint that
office volunteers were jumping the queue and going
straight to the serving hatch without a number. What
is happening here is some of those office volunteers
have been working since 8:30 am. The reward for
their service is a $12 lunch voucher. They often tend
to fetch their lunch and eat it at their desks. They
don’t have a lunch time as such so sitting with a
number in the dining room is not feasible. But we do
need to ensure they get their lunch. Hopefully you
understand the situation, and we are striving to serve
all of you.
The other issue is providing enough seating at times
of high demand, which we are currently making plans
to address.
As stated in the President’s report we are strongly
committed to keeping the prices of our food down,
supplemented by the generosity of our member
donations to the Affordable Lunch program. We
are pleased when affordability is enhanced and have
heard comments that Emily’s portions are so big
two people are sharing them, or that a frozen entrée
is lasting someone two meals. Our food service
volunteers work very hard for us, so please let them
know your appreciation.
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| May 2024
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