What Food Catering Services are Provided in Remote Campsites?

Food catering services in a remote camp facility involves providing round the clock freshly cooked meals, beverages and other food-related services for workers or guests working in places situated far from the main centres of population. Food catering facilities are commonly used in industries like construction, mining, oil and gas, forestry, research and other industrial sectors where employees are relocated to difficult or inaccessible places.

Professional food caterers in remote worker camps usually provide these services:

Full-Service Catering

Meal preparation is done in an onsite kitchen facility where full-time kitchen staff prepare and serve food to camp residents with different shift schedules. Full catering includes three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), as well as snacks and beverages. Food is always served hot and fresh to satisfy and comfort tired employees doing back-breaking work in physically demanding environments. Nutrition, quality and variety are crucial to ensure the well-being of camp workers who live far away from the comfort of home. 

Management of Dietary Requirements

Remote chefs also make sure the food they serve follows specific requests of employees and guests. Some camp residents may have health conditions and require special dietary needs or follow religious dietary laws:

• Vegetarian – for those that do not eat meat or seafood.
• Vegan – for those that follow a strict dairy-free, non-meat diet.
• Gluten-free – for those with Celiac disease, for example, and need to avoid foods with wheat and some grains.
• Dairy-Free and Lactose-Free – for those who avoid milk and milk products.
• High-protein meals – for those who prefer foods with good protein sources.
• Halal food – which adheres to strict Islamic dietary requirements.
• Kosher food – which complies with strict Jewish dietary standards.

Supply Chain Management

Logistics and supply services are also provided by camp catering providers. This means they take care of purchasing, delivery, storage and disposal of food items as part of their service package. Fresh produce and dry goods are sourced and purchased from local suppliers if possible. If they cannot find local suppliers, they purchase from wholesale partners and arrange for the delivery by trucks, air or boats. Remote kitchen staff manage inventory and ensure ingredients are stocked regularly. They are also responsible for the proper storage and handling of food (such as refrigeration and freezing) and ensure they maintain food quality at the required standard. 

Health and Safety Compliance

Maintaining health and safety can be a challenge in remote camp facilities because they are located in isolated places far away from many urban centres.  Depending on where the remote camp is located, catering services must follow Canada’s strict health and safety laws as well as local regulations. This includes regular screenings, regular training, routine inspections and incident reporting for food safety, proper food storage, sanitation and hygiene. 

Strict compliance to Occupational Health And Safety (OHS) regulations that apply to remote camps must be met at both federal and provincial levels to ensure the well-being of workers as well as protect the environment where remote camps operate. These health and safety guidelines are outlined in the federal government’s Canada Labour Code as well as provincial laws like WorkSafeBC and the Alberta OHS Act. 

Sustainability 

In remote camps, workers do not have access to infrastructure and basic services commonly found in urban areas. This can lead to significant environmental impact such as water and air pollution, soil erosion, extinction of species and deforestation.

Many catering services use sustainable practices to avoid damage to the land and waterways and limit impact to the surrounding environment. Some environment-friendly practices that apply to remote food catering can include: 

• Implementing waste management programs, such as composting and recycling to decrease air and water pollution.
• Creating menus around organic, seasonal foods to improve meal quality.
• Using locally grown ingredients to reduce environmental impact.
• Reducing food waste to save on costs and reduce expenses for disposal.
• Using eco-friendly packaging for food and beverages.

Looking for Remote Workforce Catering

It can be hard to find fresh, nutritious food to keep your remote crew healthy and happy. That’s what food catering services do for workers in remote Canadian camps. It provides a specialised service that combines meal preparation, logistical coordination, health and safety compliance, and cultural sensitivity to create a home away from home and support the well-being, morale, and productivity of people working in isolated and often challenging areas.

Our expertise lies in delivering comprehensive services tailored to the unique needs of clients in any location. Contact us today to discuss your catering needs.