Any mass-feeding type knows that it's never over until the paperwork is done. Any mass feeding type also knows that you're not allowed to use the paperwork to clean the Cambros™. You generally have to use hot water, soap, a sanitizer, and pray to the high heavens that the Cambro that left with chili in it gets back to the cleaning station before it fossilizes. There's nothing quite like finding a Cambro that hasn't been cleaned in a week to instill in your staff a new sense of intestinal fortitude. But we digress.
GFTM once again rides to the rescue. Witness, the miracle of the modern age, the scourge of dried on chili, congealed beef stew and dried Sloppy Joe, the enemy of dirt. Witness, the official GFTM self-cleaning Cambro. Now, you may be saying to yourself, "Its just a Cambro with a plastic bag in it" to which we'd reply, "No you ninny, it’s the amazing GFTM Self-cleaning Cambro." Indeed, we would do this primarily because we relish opportunities to use the word "ninny" in a sentence. Anyway, that's no ordinary plastic bag you're lookin' at Buddy. That plastic bag is approved for food use, completely organic, recyclable, handles food temperatures up to 248°F, is made with a high molecular, high density polyethylene film complying with FDA rule 177.1520, and best of all, they are cheep.
The product is presently available in the form of a self-cleaning hotel pan insert. With a little bit of planning, a little leadership, and a little effort, we could get the manufacturer to produce a product that fits neatly into a food service Cambro. No longer would we have the HASSLE of forcing our volunteers to scrub dirty Cambros (have YOU ever seen paid staff scrubbing Cambros?? We didn't think so . . .), no longer would we have the DANGER of arming our volunteers with steam cleaners and turning them loose in an uncontrolled environment. No longer would we have the BENEFIT of forcing our volunteers to shower at least once per day--but we can handle that . . .
At a recent Mass Care Leadership Conference in (where else) Pebble Beach, California, the assembled delegates were asked what one thing would be helpful to them on a job. The number 1 item identified by the leadership present (Officers, A/O's, Coordinators and a few Specialists) was for a Self-Cleaning Cambro. Number 2 was for job leadership with good inter-personal skills, but we're Mass Care specialists, not magicians . . .
So what do you, fair volunteer, do to bring GFTM: The Self-Cleaning Cambro to reality? Well, you could write your congress-person, but we're quite sure they're off on some junket to the outer Bahamas at the moment. You could harass Mrs. Dole, but she's busy campaigning and fending off a Viagra-crazed Bob. Better to harass the local management or do it yourself. Campaign for this product by sending e-mail, calling and writing to Bill Stout and the folks at the State. Tell them you want them to pursue the concept of a Self-cleaning Cambro with the Handgards® Company and with the Cambro people. Tell them to use their influence.
Cambro is a trademark of the Cambro Corporation,
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