JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – It’s Mission Monday. Meet Tammy Lindberg, who is a registered dietitian in the Air Force Services Center Food and Beverage Division.
As the only dietitian in AFSVC, she provides nutritional expertise, information and education for all appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund operations on installations. As a member of the Department of the Air Force’s Menu Development Team, she helps create menus for dining facilities across the Air and Space Forces. She’s also a member of Department of Defense working groups to develop recipes, food purchasing guides and the DOD Menu Standard that best support the nutrient needs of today’s military members.
We asked Lindberg to tell us a little more about her work and how it supports the readiness and resiliency of Airmen, Guardians and their families.
What do you love about your job?
My favorite part of the job is working with the Food and Beverage team members, especially enlisted members, as we support the field.
When it comes to your job, what keeps you motivated?
My father was an Air Force pilot flying cargo planes in Vietnam and I was on active duty for 22 years. I’m thankful to be able to continue to support the Air Force and give back to the organization that trained me.
Why are you and your team important to the Air and Space Forces enterprise and your customers?
Our talented team members get food supplies and subsistence to where they are needed. Our importance was demonstrated during early COVID lock downs when people still had to eat, yet restaurants outside the gates were closed. The Food and Beverage Team didn’t miss a beat; overcoming supply issues and modifying meal delivery.
Describe a project or event you and your team worked on recently that gave you a great sense of accomplishment:
Teams from our division traveled to evaluate dining facilities for the Hennessey Award, to include the missile and munitions sites. The purpose of these trips is to select an annual winner each of several categories but the insight gathered provides data and trends, and helps us support all feeding facilities. In addition, working with DOD dietitians for the last three years, our manuscript, “Systematic review of evidence-based strategies to enhance weight management programming,” was just accepted for publication in Military Medicine.
How does what you do support AFIMSC’s strategic priorities?
Providing safe, appealing, nutrient-dense food directly supports the physical and cognitive performance and long-term health of Airmen, Guardians and families.
Is there anything else you’d like to add which might help people understand the importance of what you do for the Department of the Air Force?
Good nutrition is essential for top performance.