Operation Chefs Unite

Where were you?
Did you spend your Holiday with friends and family, or were you
waiting for your flight to Iraq or Afghanistan?

When you think of Holidays, you may think of a day off from work or school, catching up on things gone undone, or spending time with friends and family. However, a soldiers holiday can mean something very different. As I stood in the USO Welcome Center at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta, GA taking pictures and talking to several soldiers, I found what these days mean to them. To most of them it means hugs and kisses followed by, “Good-bye”.

The USO Welcome Center is situated with recliners, cushioned benches, tables and chairs and this holiday most of them were full. They were filled with men and women waiting for flights to Iraq or Afghanistan. There was something else that filled the room: the aroma of home cooking. Ever since the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the ACF formed Operation Chefs Unite (OCU) and partnered with the USO, food has been delivered for our troops traveling through Atlanta’s airport. Today’s food was prepared by Chef Caroline Morris and Wayne Farms. I asked one solder if he had enough to eat. With a big smile on his face he replied, “Enough and then some.” I cannot even tell you how his smile warmed my heart. Moments later he told me how he had said good-buy to his wife and two small children not knowing for sure just how long he will be away from them.

Providing a simple meal may not seem like much compared to what these men and women do for us and our country. Nevertheless, as I watched each one sit to eat, there was a sense of gratitude on their faces. Such a simple thing, yet so appreciated. If you would like to become involved by providing a meal please take a look at our calendar for available dates. You may contact Chef Rusty Sigmon, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Chef Howard Cooper (Coops), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details. Remember, OCU needs each of you if we are going to make a difference in the lives of our troops.

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Partner Profile

ACF Greater Atlanta Partners

chapter_logo

ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter
Partner's Web Links

Blockbuster Linen Service
Dietz & Watson
Georgia Power
Halperns'
Inland Seafood
K Sales Co., Inc
Performance Foodservice - Milton's
RATIONAL USA
Restaurant Management Recruiters
S & D Coffee
Schwan's Food Service
Southeastern Mills
Sysco
US Foods
Uniform Worx

Welcome New Partner

The ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter would like to welcome our new ACF Web Partners. Through their continued partnership and exemplary support of our organization, the ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter has been able to reach out to the Atlanta culinary industry, community and beyond. We would like to encourage each of you to support our ACF Partners with your business decisions. ACF Greater Atlanta Chefs Association
Partnering For Tomorrow!

Welcome

RATIONAL USA

ACF Partner

Have your company logo and link seen by chefs all over the greater Atlanta area... the state of Georgia... as well as chefs all over the United States by becoming an ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Partner. Click on our logo to find out the benefits to becoming a partner.

Membership

ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter has great benefits for you. Click here to find out how you may become a member today!

National ACF is offering a new Membership Program that is designed to help Members and New Members during these difficult economic times. To find out more about this plan click on Membership Information.

Membership Information

January TOT's Kitchen Report

TOTs_Kitchen_Logo

Marie__Students

We have come to appreciate those who are always looking out for us. Tots Kitchen could not be without the continued financial support of the ACF, Director, Members of the Board and Chapter Members. Our work of empowering the less fortunate with nutritional information and healthy snacks is a result of the ACF- Atlanta determination, year after year to stamp out hunger in our community.

Last month (December), we distributed 107 healthy snack packs and Christmas cookies packs (donated by a church). Each snack pack was loaded with breakfast, lunch and late snack items and an activity sheet with nutrition information.

Snacks:
Breakfast cereal
Shelf life milk
Blueberry waffles
Oranges and apples
Microwavable spaghetti and meatballs
100% Juicy juice
Pudding cups
Whole grain corn dogs
Oatmeal and raisin cookies

We had 10 nutrition and food prep classes with 138 students and 10 adults. There is so much need for parents to be educated about nutrition. There was one mother who did not know the nutritious benefits of vegetables. After the class, she asked if she could be a volunteer with us and she has been with us since

We added 4 schools with 73 new students who will participate in our holiday program only when school is out. They are: Gods House of Love, Wee Academy, Budding Scholars Center and Little Peoples Academy. There are six outstanding volunteers who help us with snacks distribution and a curriculum developer who works to help us where we need help.

The ACF- Atlanta is to be congratulated and thanked for the changes in the households of families in South Fulton. Overall, we have impacted more than 3000 children and their families with nutrition education and weekend back packs since January 2011. One woman came up to me in Kroger and asked her son if I was the vegetable lady. Her son had told her he should eat more vegetables, so she is buying more vegetables. Even on the streets, we meet children coming up to us and talking about how food will help them live longer and healthier. One of our teachers said a child told her that carrots makes a better snacks than what she had (an oatmeal bar). Teachers and parents alike are warming up to the fact that their children are being exposed to the real benefits of foods. Yes, we are making a difference in how our children influence their parents even in this way. This makes us really happy.

Sincerely,
Marie

Marie__Students_2

Operation Chefs Unite

If you would like to volunteer to provide food for our military men and women one holiday during the year, send us an email. Your name will be added to the calendar. Please check the calendar for available dates on the OCU page. Contact Chef Rusty Sigmon at

rusty.sig123@comcast.net.

Visit the USO website to see just how they support our troops
and how you may get involved.

2012 Monthly Meeting Schedule

2012 Meeting Schedule
A very special thank you to all those who have stepped up and provided space for our Monthly Meetings!
ACF Greater Atlanta Board of Directors

2012 Monthly Meeting Schedule

January 9, Sysco
February 6, Park Spring
President's Gala
March 5, Five Seasons Brew Pub
April 2, Halperns'
May 7, Fresh Point
June 4, US Foods
July, No Meeting
August 6, Landmark Diner
September 10, Inland Seafood
October 1, Phoenix Produce
November 5, Performance

Foodservice - Milton's
December3, Atlanta Foods
International