A new food contract at the Carbon County Correctional Facility has improved the quality of meals inmates are being served.

Last week, Warden James Youngkin told the county prison board that inmates have commented on the improvement on the food being served since Aramark Correctional Services LLC of Philadelphia took over the food contract at the prison.

Youngkin said it has been a positive change and a “noticeable difference” from the previous food provider.

Aramark was awarded the three-year, $2.1 million food service contract in April and began serving the prison on June 1. The company was the second lowest bidder for the contract, but Trinity Service Group, which previously held the contract, was not in compliance with the bid specifications.

Youngkin said that even employees were beginning to utilize the food service.

In other prison matters, Youngkin said that the new medical service the county brought in to provide inmate health care has been working out well, but some tweaks regarding guard coverage while medical staff is there needs to be made.