FoodLogistics.com |

DALLAS: The Department of Defense’s oldest and largest retailer, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, is embarking on a variety of energy-saving initiatives to reduce its impact on the environment and strengthen the exchange benefit military families have come to depend on.

From vending machines to gas station canopies, AAFES is implementing “green” initiatives at exchange facilities on Army and Air Force installations across the globe.

“AAFES is a global retailer with more than 3,100 facilities in some 30 countries,” says AAFES’ Energy Program manager Ann Scott. “Considering the size and scope of our mission, it makes sense to evaluate every possible ‘green’ option available. Fortunately, new opportunities to save energy and increase earnings are growing every day.”

More options are turning into reduced energy consumption in AAFES’ vending operations as 40 additional ENERGY STAR beverage vending machine models became available in 2007. With older vending machines consuming some 192 kwh per month compared to 172.5 kwh for ENERGY STAR versions, AAFES is focused on ensuring at least 10 percent or more of their 21,000 beverage machines are ENERGY STAR compliant before the end of 2008. Successful expansion of ENERGY STAR beverage vending machines from 1,664 currently in place at AAFES to 2,264 is projected to generate annual savings of more than $42,000 once the 10 percent target is met.

“Drinks stay cold, less energy is used and AAFES is able to return the savings to the annual dividend this command annually provides to the military community,” says AAFES’ Commander Brig. Gen. Keith Thurgood. “It’s smart business decisions like this that will make it possible for AAFES to deliver even more in the coming decade than the $2.4 billion it provided the Armed Forces in the past 10 years.” AAFES is also partnering with a number of name-brand franchises to reduce energy consumption in its fast food offerings. Taco Bell, Burger King and Subway are just a few of AAFES’ name-brand partners that are leading the way in inventive “pollution solutions” such as adjustable HVAC systems that run based on need versus a constant rate, eco-friendly building designs, LED menu boards and concept signing, as well as energy efficient refrigeration and heating methods.

To find out more about AAFES visit its Web site at http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp.