How much food can you have at the DFAC?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 11:51:18 -0500

With the meal card, can you have more than a single plate for food at the DFAC?
Sometimes, they give small piece of fish for an entree and I went to grab another plate of food after I finished one.
DFAC NCO said you are not allowed to grab another plate if you already had one, unless you have one another CAC for a meal.
I'm wondering if there are a regulation in DFAC with how much food you can take

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2021 12:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 12:07:57 -0500

I'm clearly not a DFAC expert, but I've never been to a DFAC that didn't limit you to the allotted number of sides, and usually one main protein dish. If you want to go back for more, it's usually the salad bar which might have pasta.

Whatever "regs" might say I wouldn't challenge the DFAC NCO unless I was the Post Commandant.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 21 at 2021 12:44 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 12:44:46 -0500

I am a 92G (cook - DfAC manager). The Army has nutritional guidelines that specify how much foods you can have. As a DFAC manager, I was (I am retired 2020) responsible for a tolerance of 3% over/under the budget. The Army provides funding based on the number of soldiers subsisting, OPTEMPO, and the type of meal. Those reasons are why you can't go back for another plate. You can have more salad bar items, but you can't go back for more of the high dollar items. Also, when planning meals, headcount is taken into consideration when the ration items from TISA are ordered. Generally, we can't run back to TISA when we run short on rations. It isn't personal, the Army just doesn't want to spend more than it has to and wants healthy soldiers.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 22 at 2021 3:44 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 15:44:10 -0500

In reading posts from SFC Melvin Brandenburg and CPT Private RallyPoint Member I see things have changed! The only limit I recall seeing at a USAF chow hall in my day was, "Take all you want, eat all your take."

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jan 24 at 2021 1:34 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 01:34:05 -0500

See SFC Brandenburg's answer for the official policy.
However - if you want "seconds" try this - go to the DFAC near the time when they about to close. If they have leftovers, they will probably give them to you rather than let them go to waste. Not even the best mess sergeant can predict how much food will be consumed on an given day and since they don't want to run out - they probably will have a little extra.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2023 10:54 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 22:54:33 -0500

The real answer is that the amount of food you get is relative to the quality of your relationship with the cooks. I say this a former 92G, there is always a way for me to get you more food...

Response by Emily Fullen made Mar 19 at 2025 5:52 PM

Emily Fullen — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:52:09 -0400

I see it's been a while since this topic was discussed, but I'm curious—have any DFAC rules changed recently regarding portions? I remember some places being pretty strict, while others were more relaxed depending on who was working that day. Anyone still running into issues with getting enough food, or has it become more consistent?

Response by Emily Fullen made Mar 28 at 2025 7:20 AM

Emily Fullen — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:20:46 -0400

If you want to keep your energy up without loading up on too much food at the DFAC, adding something like young barley grass powder https://www.znaturalfoods.com/products/barley-grass-juice-powder-organic to your routine might help. I’ve found that small nutrient-packed additions like that can make a big difference, especially when meals don’t always cover all the essentials. A little goes a long way in keeping you feeling good without going overboard on portions.

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