New employee market aims to cut costly food deliveries at Barren County jail
Cashless, self-service market offers affordable snacks, drinks and grab-and-go food for employees working long shifts.
GLASGOW, Ky. — Finding something to eat during a 12-hour shift at the Barren County Detention Center isn't always easy.
On Wednesday, Aramark unveiled a new employee micro market in a former breakroom at the jail, featuring refrigerated coolers and shelves stocked with snacks, drinks and grab-and-go food for detention center staff.
“This is a good thing for our staff, and we want them to know we appreciate them,” said Jailer Aaron Shirley.
The “Local Barren” micro market is a cashless, scan-and-go convenience store operated by Aramark, the jail’s food service provider. Aramark installed the market at no cost to the county and will keep it stocked and managed.
“If something isn’t selling good, they’ll take it out and replace it,” Shirley said.
Shirley said employees can also request additional products, and Aramark will consider stocking them based on demand.
The idea grew out of conversations with jail staff, who often cannot leave the facility during their shifts and instead rely on food from home or expensive food delivery services.
In one instance, a staff member spent more than $40 to have a single meal delivered, Shirley said. He said the micro market will provide employees with a more affordable and convenient option during their shifts.
“They gave us the option to make 5 or 10 percent on the sales, but I told them we didn’t want to make any money,” Shirley said. “This is all for them.”
The market offers a variety of items, including instant noodles, Pop-Tarts, chips, soft drinks and smokeless tobacco products. Shirley said the inventory will continue to change based on employee demand.
The items are priced below what customers would typically pay at a convenience store, Shirley said. Employees have already taken advantage of the lower prices, including one staff member who purchased 10 energy drinks after discovering they were selling for $1 a can.
The micro market features a self-checkout system with a digital tablet that allows employees to scan their items just as they would at a retail store. Once finished, they can pay using a card.
The market is accessible 24 hours a day, allowing employees on any shift to purchase food or drinks whenever they have a break.
The market is open to jail employees, law enforcement officers and other officials who pass through the facility, but it is not accessible to inmates.
