6.2a(2) As part of step six (review, evaluate, and measure), SF’s
employees and volunteers are constantly looking for ways to
minimize overall costs and eliminate rework. Several key areas
(i.e., kitchen sanitation and food handling) within the Distribution
Management Process have rigorous inspections and audits
by local and state health agencies to ensure compliance with
health and safety guidelines. For example, in 2003, several volunteers
who repackage meals and the employee Kitchen Supervisor
attended food science and handling workshops. They used
knowledge gained from the workshops to implement new
processes for kitchen sanitation and food handling. The Des
Couers Health Department, part of DHFS, identified these
processes as “best practices,” which has increased donations to
SF by local and regional government agencies. SF has since exceeded
regulatory requirements in these areas (see Figure 7.4-14),
and it is in the process of using the RICE system’s automatic
(built-in) checklist to further streamline the Inventory Management
Process and repackaging time.
Similarly, employees and volunteers are continuously seeking
ways to reduce the costs associated with inspections, tests, and
audits. For example, with enhancements to key work processes
through training, process posting, and the sharing of metrics, as
well as the implementation of the RICE system, inspection and
audit time have been reduced by 25 percent, which is a
component of the effectiveness rating (see Figure 7.5-4). In addition,
enhancements to SF’s fleet, using the Transportation and
Logistics Process, also have improved fuel efficiency, and therefore
overall miles per gallon, which is significant due to the still