Chapter II—Setting up the Canteen

Every effort should be made to ensure that both the kitchen
and the room in which meals are served present an attractive
and homelike appearance. Much can be done without great
expenditure by means of a few flowers or plants and bright
posters or pictures and by repainting dingy woodwork, etc.
Waste-paper baskets or litter boxes should be provided. The
premises should be kept thoroughly clean and floors should
always be swept between meals.

Ventilation.

Proper ventilation throughout the building is essential, and
while this may be difficult in " blackout " hours, windows
should be kept open as much as possible during the day.

Cloakrooms.

Proper sanitary and washing accommodation is essential.
This should be arranged as far as possible on the basis of one
wash-basin and one W.C. per 20 persons. It is desirable to
have separate accommodation for the staff.

Space should be provided for outdoor garments and
umbrellas. Where it is not possible to set aside a separate
room for this purpose, a corner of the Canteen may be screened
off, or coat-hooks may be fixed in a passage leading to the
Canteen.

Kitchen.

In Communal Feeding, the kitchen is of first importance.
Often an old building has to be used where a kitchen is already
installed. There is then little choice in the layout of the equip-
ment, but much can be done to save labour and unnecessary
walking about by careful planning of working space. For
example, the vegetables should be cleaned in the sink nearest
to the doorway where they are delivered, and cooked on the
stove nearest to the place of preparation. The dishes should
be washed in the sink nearest the dining room and kept in
cupboards easily accessible for use.

When a new or empty building is available and there is
choice of the room to be used as a kitchen, the following points
should be considered: —

The kitchen should be well lighted and ventilated, and
near the main drainage and water supply. It should also
be near to the dining room and storeroom.

The latter should be accessible to the road for the delivery
of goods.