Carry-out services end at dining facilities starting April 1 Published March 28, 2007 By Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman 35th Fighter Wing public affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Servicemembers who often eat on the run and who have relied on getting their food to go will now eat their meals at the base's two dining facilities starting April 1. Limiting carry-out food at Misawa's two dining facilities last fiscal year to servicemembers in uniform saved an average of about $750 to $1,000 a month, but it wasn't enough to stave off expensive supply costs and a shrinking budget, 35th Services Squadron officials said. The 35th Fighter Wing's appropriated fund budget was by nearly a quarter and services was cut nearly a third for fiscal year '07. "We are trying to apply the funding we have in the most efficient manner to keep our activities running," said Ricky Harness, 35th SVS deputy director. Eliminating carry-out supplies such as the boxes, plastic silverware, paper napkins and condiments will save the squadron an estimated $12,000 annually. Those funds will be redirected to must haves, such as dishwashing soap and cleaning supplies, he said. The new policy affects about 10 percent of dining facility users, said Mr. Harness. "Supply costs for carry-out equate to about 25 to 30 percent of our total supply costs for the dining facilities," he said. "It's a pretty good-sized expense that supports a fairly small number of diners." Those expected to be most affected are flightline personnel, emergency responders, and security forces, which often eat while they work. "Their shops will have to make adjustments to give their folks the time to eat at one of our facilities," said Mr. Harness.