Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Joint Task Force North troops who responded to a fatal crash near Resolute Bay this summer would have been both sad and hungry soldiers during that operation, had it not been for Northern Foodservices.

Northern Foodservices operations manager Pietro Bertolini accepts the Commander Joint Task Force North Commendation on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Pictured from left, Chief Warrant Officer Gilles Laroche, Brigadier-General Guy Hamel, Bertolini, and Northern Foodservices sales manager Philip Chalker. - Thandie Vela/NNSL photo

For about five weeks in July and August, the Yellowknife-based food distributor provided fresh produce, dairy, and bread, feeding about 500 soldiers, sailors and airmen, a total of 19,000 meals during Operation Nanook 11 in Resolute.

"They provided outstanding food for us," Brigadier-General Guy Hamel said. "Everything was fresh, well-packaged, and clean."

On Monday, the Canadian Forces awarded Northern Foodservices with the Commander's Pennant for their "exceptional" support during the operation.

"Their flexibility, positive attitude and high standards directly contributed to the morale, and well-being of the troops in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, and set the standard for food service support," Chief Warrant Officer Gilles Laroche said while presenting the Joint Task Force North commendation.

This is the first time the honour--which usually goes to Canadian Forces members for work within the force and across the North--has been awarded for food service.

"We provide the service everyday; it's what we do," sales manager Philip Chalker said. "To be recognized by the military, it's a big honour for us."

Operation Nanook 11 is the main of three major annual Canadian Forces sovereignty operations held in the North. The operation was supposed to include a mock major air disaster exercise just hours before First Air flight 6560 crashed, killing 12 people on board. The troops were able to rescue three survivors from the crash.

Northern Foodservices supplies dairy, meat, seafood, and fresh produce to mining and construction camps, lodges, government institutions, restaurants, bars, and other establishments across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.