Health trend takes over military kitchen
Defense Ministry introducing whole grain rice, light salad dressings, oatmeal into IDF soldiers' menu
The Defense Ministry's purchase administration has launched a pilot in recent days for a further variety of products which are lower in calories and healthier than the ones currently used in military kitchens.
"The growing demand for the health trend is coming from the ground," explained Pnina Yehezkel, head of the food division at the Defense Ministry's purchase administration. "After introducing healthy products like cereals and rub, and reducing sausages to a minimum, we have recently begun locating suppliers for an additional list of products which will benefit IDF soldiers' health."
As part of the pilot, 10% to 20% of the quantity regularly purchased for the IDF will be replaced with new products, including whole-wheat flour, whole grain rice, whole-wheat couscous, light Thousand Islands dressing, light vinaigrette dressing, light mayonnaise, quinoa, oatmeal, granola, tuna in water, light canned vegetables like corn, and protein-rich whole sesame seed tahini.
"Our goal is to expand the basket until we reach full consumption of these products," said Yehezkel. "Our purchase is done in coordination and cooperation with the IDF's Technology and Logistics Branch, and we have recommended that they send as many cooks as possible to courses and in-service training, so that they know how to work with the new products.
"If the pilot is deemed successful and there is a positive response, these products' quantity in the purchase will grow."
