#ARMY NEWS –
WHILE indulging their sweet tooth, soldiers and airmen gave more than $500,000 back to their bases last financial year. Through AAFCANS’ automated retail vending program, $534,985 made its way back to Army and Air Force welfare. The top three recipients were Lavarack Barracks with $108,674, Gallipoli Barracks with $50,297 and Albury- Wodonga with $47,160. Singleton Barracks racked up $32,159 in disbursement returns despite being in the vending program for only eight months of the period.
The profits generated by 289 AAFCANS vending machines across 34 ADF bases went to 29 Defence welfare funds. AAFCANS has procured additional tap-andgo vending machines, designed to offer heatand- serve meals. These are on trial in select bases, offering out-ofhours meals to ADF residents. AAFCANS managing director Stewart McGrow said further trials were under way on select bases of machines that include protein snacks and healthy treats; health, beauty and convenience products; and fresh-bean barista-style coffee. He said social clubs and regimental trust funds benefited from the AAFCANS supply chain. “We have been providing ADF social clubs with access to our wholesale pricing, discounts and special trade promotions,” Mr McGrow said. “They all highly value this relationship and, in particular, the convenient on-base deliveries via AAFCANS canteens. “Support we have offered has included coffee machines, consumables, grocery and beverage products.”
