When Philip Bettencourt began managing the kitchen at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton in 2016, he quickly encountered a familiar challenge in the foodservice world: wire shelving. Initially used in the facility’s storage areas, wire shelving posed significant issues for Bettencourt and his team.
The Trouble with Wire Shelving
“The biggest problem for me is, you have to replace [wire shelving] every 5 to 10 years because of rust and they’re hard to clean,” said Bettencourt.
Cleaning wire shelving is a labor-intensive process, often requiring shelves to be emptied, removed, and power-washed—an option not feasible for Bettencourt due to their bolted-down installation, a safety measure necessitated by California’s earthquake risk.
Adding to these challenges, working in a correctional facility introduced additional layers of complexity, such as restricted access to tools and the logistical difficulty of repairing or replacing broken racks.
“It’s difficult to get [wire shelving] out if a rack breaks. Being in a corrections facility, we don’t have the ability to go get a wrench. We have to get somebody else to come in and do all that for us,” said Bettencourt.
The Camshelving® Solution
Bettencourt’s experience with wire shelving perfectly exemplifies the critical need for durable, easy-to-maintain shelving solutions designed to meet the unique demands of correctional facility foodservice operations.
In 2018, Bettencourt outfitted their storage space with Camshelving Premium Series.
1. Guaranteed Against Rust and Corrosion
Camshelving is constructed with durable plastic components that prevent rust and corrosion from forming anywhere on the unit. Plus, each shelf plate is permanently embedded with an antimicrobial protection called Camguard™. Designed to be in your kitchen for the life of your facility, Camshelving gives you the peace of mind that you’re investing in a product that will last.
2. Easy to Clean
Thanks to its smooth material, Camshelving is the most easy to clean shelving money can buy. Unlike wire shelves, each Camshelving shelf plate individually lifts off to be wiped with a cloth or run through a dishwasher. If there’s a spill underneath your shelving, simply take off shelf plates to easily mop up the mess!
“I saw the Cambro shelving, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my goodness!’ Because even if it’s bolted to the ground, the posts will pull out,” said Bettencourt. “The cleaning of the [Camshelving]—it pops out, it’s modular and it’s so much more convenient.”
3. Adaptable
Camshelving is built to withstand the rigors of high-volume use in any foodservice environment, significantly decreasing the chances of replacement parts or repairs. Anyone who has wire shelving knows you don’t want to take on the task of changing anything about it after it’s installed. Camshelving has the luxury of being extremely easy to adjust. If you decide you want a shelf higher or need more space because of a change in ingredients, shelf traverses are easy to move up or down.
Camshelving is just the beginning! Click here to see the Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Storage Organization.
AUTHOR: ADRIANA COCHRAN IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
