Complaint Review: VA Canteen Services

Mr. Brian Kahn
C/o Senator Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94111

Reference: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco

Dear Mr. Khan,

I acknowledge receipt of Mr. Vizcaino's letter directed to Ms. Sheila Cullen, dated 10 July, and I wish to add supplementary documentation supporting my thesis that the Veterans receive substandard food in the Canteen Food Service along with high prices at the Canteen Store when compared to local vendors and online shopping.

I believe if Senator Boxer is to reach those in charge she will be directed to the Management of the Canteen Service located in St. Louis, Mo. I have included documents for contacts in those respective offices. There are several buyers for both the Canteen Food Service and for the retail Canteen Store.

My intention is not self served but rather to help fellow Veterans, members of their families , and the staff at the VA facilities nationwide. On one had the information displayed by the VA portrays good and healthy food and competitive pricing. In reality, the opposite is true. Just ask those who have to eat there!

I have informally interviewed over 30 patients , medical workers and visitors. 100% of those indicated where they wish there was another food service option at the San Francisco facility due to poor quality and selection. The same percentage think the Canteen store is non competitive with the stores where they normally shop - Walgreens, Rite Aid, Longs Drugs, Costco, Target, Wal Mart, Amazon and other online retailers. I concur.


Thank you for your support and let's hope this investigation will lead to revisions in the operations of the Canteen to provide our nation's Veterans top quality and competitive priced food and merchandise.

The adm
Greenbrae, California
U.S.A.