LASD food services implements new hot meal program at men's central jail

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Food Services Unit has implemented a new hot meal program this month at the men’s central jail, marking this as “the most significant improvement in inmate feeding in decades.”

With the new program, food waste has been reduced by up to 15%, due to the improved control over meal preparation and portion accuracy, LASD said. 

The department also says that inmates have responded positively to the program, expressing appreciation for the hot, sealed meals and the reliability of their daily servings. 

“The program also provides valuable vocational opportunities for inmate workers, who assist with meal preparation and learn culinary skills under the guidance of professional cooks. This provides meaningful work experience and contributes to rehabilitation efforts,” LASD said.

The new pre-portioned Cook-Chill system allows the department to make meals in-house that will ensure freshness, consistency and sustainability, the LASD said in a statement. 

The program first launched on two floors in September and has since expanded to the entire facility at the men’s central jail in early November.

According to LASD, the meals are carefully designed to meet the recommended daily standards for calories, protein, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients with the help of a team of dieticians and dietetic advisors.

Under this process, the main course is cooked and then placed in tubes that are quickly cooled to 33 degrees. The food is then portioned into biodegradable containers with designated side dishes, sealed, and frozen. 

The meals are later reheated and placed in temperature regulated food transport carts for delivery.

“We take all inmate complaints and the input from our oversight entities very seriously,” said Assistant Sheriff Paula Tokar. “Through our conversations, we learned that the design of Men’s Central Jail caused delays in delivering food to the inmate population at the optimum temperature. To remedy the issue, we requested funding for the Cook Chill program at Men’s Central Jail. Based on the exceedingly positive feedback, we intend to expand the program to the entire jail system. It is our goal to improve the conditions of confinement for our population whenever possible.”

LASD says they plan to expand the program to the Century Regional Detention Facility in the near future and to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in the following year.

The November holiday menu features roasted turkey, candied yams, green beans, cranberry sauce, a green salad, salad dressing, a dinner roll, a pumpkin muffin, and 1% chocolate milk.

“The LASD Food Services Unit remains committed to continuous improvement and sustainability, ensuring that food operations across the Department meet the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and care,” LASD said.