October 2015 has been a real treat for the Corpus Christi Army Depot workforce. On October 1, the majority of workers there had no idea what a "micro market" was. That all changed the next day when the first micro market opened in Hangar 46.
Since then, these quaint food shops staged a depot takeover as they invaded and occupied a new building each week. Hangar 46 was the initial site to get shopped on October 2. Then it was Building 1700 on the 9th, followed by a third shop in CCAD's Learning Center, Building 1260 on the 16th. The last market planned for October opened on the 21st in Building 1880, marking the end to the micro market mania month that took CCADers by storm.
But where did all these micro markets come from?
The answer to that question is no trick.
It all began at a monthly partnership council meeting. Depot commander, Col. Garner Pogue III asked the unions to seek ideas on ways to improve the workforce's access to a bigger and better variety of food. Machine tool operator and former Marine, Anthony Betancourt was in that meeting with his brother, Marcos, Vice President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW Local 2049).
Anthony has spent the last three years as a machine tool operator in Metal Processing grinding metals that go on the helicopters combat forces use for every mission.
"Having honorably served in the US Marine Corps for four years, I feel strongly about producing a quality product," he said.
That is part of the reason why he takes a special interest in finding solutions whenever he sees a need.
"When I started working at CCAD, I was assigned to third shift," he said. "A common problem third shift workers face is the complete lack of food options. If you forgot to bring your lunch or money for the vending machine, you went without food for that shift."
Dining choices were limited to typical vending machine snacks that were either high in calorie, salt, or sugar content. Most beverages were sodas and energy drinks.
Last year, Anthony Betancourt was reassigned to first shift. This opened up a menu exclusive to CCAD's day shift, like the Subway Restaurant and Navy Exchange Services (NEX) convenience store, Chopper's Cove.
Employees could also attempt to go off-base to eat, but even drive-thru windows and call-aheads could not guarantee workers returned within the thirty minute window allowed for lunch. These days, traffic to get on the base and limited parking make mobility even tougher for anyone during lunch.
There seemed to be no quick and affordable solution that didn't come at a high cost to personal health.
"That's what started the brainstorming for a solution," Anthony Betancourt said
"Since health primarily depends on two habits, eating and exercising, good health depends on good eating habits," said Dr. Larry Grabhorn, of CCAD's Safety and Occupational Health Division. "Fats are necessary in everyone's diet, but too much of the wrong fat can be very costly when it comes to your health. The consequence may be heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer."
Dr. Grabhorn says that, to ensure a life of good health, people must plan their meals and snacks to reduce bad fats and excess calories.
Anthony Betancourt believes that CCAD's new convenience food shops will help everyone at the depot achieve that healthier and happier life goal.
Micro markets promote healthy living to the workforce by offering better lifestyle choices in what to eat.
The market has a whole foods concept behind it. With a focus on health and wellness, these shops may appear like an everyday convenience store, but once inside, visitors find shelves of freshly-stocked whole foods and healthy entrees, including breakfast and lunch meals, fruits, salads, wraps and sandwiches.
The micro markets are a self-functioning system managed by the Navy Exchange Services (NEX). Facilities remain under constant surveillance while customers use self-service kiosks to make their purchases. Vendors stock and conduct maintenance daily.
NEX began delivering individual fresh food vending machines to CCAD earlier in 2015 to offer federal employees healthier dining alternatives at work. The larger self-checkout micro mart is the second phase of the initiative to bring an accessible variety of beverages, foods, snacks, and other goods to the workforce.
The micro market concept is a new innovation in automatic merchandising. Unlike boxy cash-only vending machines that took your money, micro markets take on the look and feel of a self-checkout retail food store.
"A couple weeks after the Partnership Council Meeting, I was sent to Rock Island to observe an apprenticeship program."
While at Rock Island Arsenal, he had lunch in one of their cafeterias, which was remodeled in April 2014 to become a Company Kitchen. The Company Kitchen is a micro market brand owned and operated by Rock Island's food service contractor, Treat America Food Services.
The machine tool operator was floored with Company Kitchen's efficiency and food selection.
"It didn't compromise nutrition or taste," he said. "That was the moment I knew that this was exactly what CCAD needed."
"After my trip, I couldn't get word out fast enough before my brother, Marcos, and IAMAW Union President, Scott Dozier, took off to research the concept and the company."
The team proposed their solution to Col. Pogue, who approved the concept at the next meeting. The commander was eager to put this idea into action. Giving the workforce something to smile about is certainly worth the effort.
For Anthony, the added sense of purpose knowing that he was part of something great is one thing he'll never forget.
"This whole string of events is a prime example of how management and unions can make a difference to achieve a common goal."
"This is going to benefit all employees at CCAD for years to come."
He said he'll always be grateful to Colonel Pogue, Scott Dozier and his brother for believing in him and for working together to make one CCADer's vision a reality.
Related Links:
NEX food vending machines installed at Corpus Christi Army Depot
Building 1700 Hits New Milestone, Moving CCAD towards the Future
Hangar 46 Micro Market Opens at Depot
Corpus Christi Army Depot Preps Employees for Open Season With Health Benefits Fair
US Army Aviation and Missile Command
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