Every midday, when the dining hall doors open, an extraordinary operation is underway. In a matter of minutes, thousands of delegates, visitors, and volunteers find a place in the large dining hall, while a synchronized network of lines, scanners, and serving stations distribute food with surprising efficiency.

But here, food isn't just shared; community is shared, mission is strengthened, and the diversity that characterizes the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide is celebrated.

During the 62nd General Conference Session, the dining hall is much more than a place to eat. It is a space where approximately 5,000 vegetarian lunches are served daily during the week, a figure that rises to 7,000 on weekends. All this happens thanks to 20 buffet lines and multiple entry points with scanners, capable of processing up to 4,000 people in less than 30 minutes.

“The dining hall is important because we need to feed the people who come here,” Silvia Sicalo, general organizer of the Session, said, “We would like to offer more than one meal, but with such a large group, it's not easy. We do our best by offering lunch every day of the event and dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, so everyone can arrive on time for worship.”

The quick-service model used today was first implemented in 2015, during the Session in San Antonio, Texas. And then in 2022, during the shortened Session in St. Louis, pandemic restrictions allowed for improved efficiency and a more focused approach to addressing the diverse cultural and dietary needs of attendees.

A Menu that Preaches Health

The dishes in the Session meals reflect one of the pillars of the Adventist Church: the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. All the food offered is vegetarian and carefully prepared to represent not only the Adventist health message but also the cultural richness of attendees from around the world.

“After the 2010 session, we conducted a global survey,” Sicalo said. “Delegates from all over the world agreed that rice and beans were the foundation. On top of that, we added pasta, proteins, salads, and fruit. We also tried to reduce the salt so everyone could adjust the flavor to their liking.”

Even with that foundation, the task isn't easy. Ludy Leito, who works at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in the GC office as the Content and Events manager in the marketing department, took over the coordination of the dining hall during the session.

“The biggest challenge has been finding a stable balance for so many tastes, cultures, ages, and health levels,” she said.

Precise Logistics, Service with Purpose

Behind every lunch served is a complex logistical system. From menu planning to the timely delivery of ingredients, everything must be coordinated with pinpoint precision. It requires working with reliable suppliers, managing inventories in real time, and quickly adapting to daily changes in the number of diners.

“In St. Louis [in 2022], we had a much smaller session. Now, with more people, we learned how to better organize the lines, allow technical staff to enter earlier, and have exclusive lines for them. We also strengthened the volunteer team, especially at the scanning points,” Sicalo said.

Many of the volunteers are young. “Many are children of General Conference employees. Their parents wanted them to be able to participate and keep busy, so they were given the opportunity to serve and, in return, receive their lunch,” she said.

“I love scanning people when they come in,” said Cason Revolus, a 14-year-old volunteer. “I learned that we all need to work together to keep the dining hall running smoothly. It’s a real team effort.” He added that one of the moments he will never forget was when his supervisor congratulated him on his performance.

Elizabeth Mills, also a volunteer, said that her experience has been especially meaningful because of the relationships she has built. “What I've enjoyed most is making friends with the other volunteers. We laugh a lot, chat while eating or working. Everyone has been very kind, and that has made the experience a lot of fun.”

Leito reflects that one of the greatest lessons has been accepting that you can't please everyone. “You have to learn to be OK with that. Start the day asking God for patience, peace, and understanding, and end it by being grateful for the lessons and for making it to the end of the day.”

Jeff Kolkmann, ADRA volunteer and crowd manager, explained, “Every day we welcome more than 5,000 people, and the first challenge is keeping the lines in order. We coordinate tickets for technical staff, people with disabilities, delegates, and their families. It's a lot of people, but the goal is for everyone to have a good experience.”

“It's a five- or six-hour operation for each meal. And if something changes, we just smile, help, and resolve whatever is needed.”

At 62, Kolkmann says he's still learning: “The most important thing for me is being surrounded by Adventists from all over the world. We are a family in Christ. Serving others is more fulfilling than anything else.”

More than Food, a Community Experience

But what truly distinguishes this space is not just the impeccable logistics, but the atmosphere within.

“It has been a wonderful experience. The food is balanced, international, and accessible to all. I have felt very good eating here,” said Ngozi Davidson-Agu from Nigeria. “We've shared a table with people from India, Bangladesh, and other parts of the world. It's beautiful to learn about other cultures while we eat.”

At each table, people of different nationalities and languages ​​share more than just a meal; they share stories, laughter, and moments of prayer.

“The dining room is a moment of camaraderie. It's a space where one can gather with friends, meet new people, and share valuable conversations. It's also an opportunity to witness to those serving in the food service,” Sicalo said.

Leito sums it up with an anecdote that moved her: “One difficult day, at the end of the service, a sister approached me, greeted me, and said, ‘Let me pray for you.’ It was a very meaningful moment. I remembered that this is the reason we are here. Despite our tiredness, we can connect spiritually, pray for one another, and share something deeper than a plate of food.”

Many diners have expressed admiration for the excellence of the operation. “If I could say one thing to the organizing team, it would be: they did an excellent job,” Davidson-Agu said. “Putting this together takes time, strength, and dedication. Everything is so well done that when you finish eating, the place is clean as if nothing had happened. That can only be achieved with commitment.”

This experience, which began as a practical solution to feed thousands, has become a meeting place where the bonds of fellowship are strengthened and where the daily act of sharing bread becomes a living testimony to the Adventist mission.

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.