Top Considerations in Correctional Food Services

When you think of the top qualities in correctional facility foodservice equipment, toughness and durability are two of the most desired. While these are important, it’s not the only thing operators look for to deliver safe and effective correctional food services.

Instead of making decisions based solely on how long a particular unit might last, other important questions should include the specifics of the operation itself. Who is housed in the facility? What are the safety priorities? Where is food being served? There are many other questions that need to be considered, and the answers will likely lead to one of the three most common types of correctional food services.

Keeping Bulk Food Hot in the Kitchen

When serving large quantities of food with a range of menu options, a multi-temp heated holding cabinet is a logical choice because it provides a high level of versatility, allowing operators to maintain quality by serving foods at proper temperatures. At the same time, with dual temperature control capabilities, different types of foods can be stored simultaneously within the same unit.

The Carter-Hoffmann Solution:

Holding cabinets are the ideal choice for keeping foods at ideal serving conditions, though there are a few things to consider in terms of features and benefits when reviewing cabinet options. Cabinets come in single or dual cavity options with precise temperature controls. Carter-Hoffmann’s HL8 Series Holding Cabinets have two compartments, allowing different food to be held at different temperatures. Designed to hold steam table and sheet pans for bulk food prep, they can be outfitted with a correctional package that includes reinforced cord grips along with important correctional facility equipment features like tamper-resistant fasteners and a locking control panel cover. If transporting bulk food is the goal, Carter-Hoffmann’s PH1820 and PH1840 are great options.

Serving Hot Food on Trays

There’s a benefit to the simplicity of having an entire meal on a single tray. When those meals are heated to a consistent temperature, it makes for easy delivery for larger volumes. Serving whole meals on a single tray in a heated cart allows correctional food to be delivered at far distances in greater numbers, and it also helps ensure food safety standards are met.

The Carter-Hoffmann Solution:

The PH Series of heated transport carts from Carter-Hoffmann comes with a correctional package that includes tamper-resistant and reinforced features. The thermostat and thermometers are both protected, and added durability is included with bumper reinforcement brackets. Depending on the unit, carts can be purchased with either bottom mount heaters or top mount heaters.

Insulated Tray on a Non-Insulated Cart

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to deliver meals to inmates is in an open cart using insulated, stackable trays. By design, stacking one meal on top of another provides the heat control needed without a lot of additional supplies or heating mechanisms within the cart itself, and the stackability of trays provides added stability to the service.

The Carter-Hoffmann Solution:

The TT104 and TT136 Tray Transports are food tray carts built with all-stainless steel, welded tubular construction and are designed for use in correctional food services.

Learn more about meal transport options in correctional food services.

Discover more features and benefits from Carter-Hoffmann’s suite of correctional facility equipment, as well as possible custom-made equipment options, by viewing their collection of heated holding cabinets for correctional food services.