September Highlights Awareness of Foodborne Illnesses

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:         68-19                                                                                                                        

Date:                              August 29, 2019

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Food safety month

September highlights awareness of foodborne illnesses

By Kevin L. Robinson,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: Go to YouTube for a video related to food safety month. Go to the website to read the release online.

FORT LEE, Va. – Every year, an estimated 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses, resulting in 3,000 deaths and nearly 130,000 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

In observance of Food Safety Education Month in September, the Defense Commissary Agency joins the CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Food Safety Inspection Service, the Department of Health and Human Services and other organizations to help prevent foodborne illnesses by increasing awareness of improperly handling food items.

With so much at stake it takes everyone – producers, retailers and consumers alike – to help prevent foodborne illnesses, said Army Lt. Col. Angela M. Parham, director of DeCA’s Public Health and Safety.

“Commissaries have military veterinarians and store food safety specialists inspecting food sources, deliveries and products on the shelves to help ensure they’re free of potential contaminants,” Parham said. “However, when our patrons leave the store they also have a responsibility to handle their groceries properly and protect themselves from foodborne illnesses.”

Bacteria and viruses are the leading causes of food poisoning, according to FoodSafety.gov, and there’s plenty that people can do to help protect themselves from them, Parham said.

“As advocates of ‘Be Food Safe’ guidelines we want commissary patrons to understand how they can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses when they leave the store,” she said. “Just by washing your hands before, during and after handling food you can help prevent a lot of problems.”

The “Be Food Safe” message, developed by the CDC and the USDA, is simple: clean, separate, cook and chill. They are the basis for the following safe handling techniques:

Clean

• Wash hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat, poultry or seafood.
  • Wash utensils, cutting boards, dishes and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to prepare the next item.
  • Food contact surfaces can be sanitized with a freshly made solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water.

Separate

• Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart and in your refrigerator.
• If possible, use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry and seafood.
• Never place cooked food or foods that are eaten raw, like salads, on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.

Cook

• Cook poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 F as measured with a food thermometer.

Chill

• Chill food promptly and properly. Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods and leftovers within two hours (or one hour if temperatures are above 90 F).

Parham recommends commissary patrons bring a cooler during a long trip to and from the store to help prevent foodborne illnesses by maintaining proper temperatures of foods.

“Going from the shelf to your home can be a breeding ground for potential problems if you’re not careful,” she said. “It’s vital to prevent cross contamination by ensuring different perishable foods are separated in the shopping cart or in the car.”

A few more tips for handling food safely can be found at www.homefoodsafety.org:

• Use hand sanitizer to wipe hands and the handle of the shopping cart.
• Clean hands before sampling food. Either bring moist towelettes or carry a bottle of hand sanitizer to use before you taste.
• If you use reusable grocery bags, wash them often.
• Check food packages for holes, tears or openings. Frozen foods should be solid with no signs of thawing.
• Check for a loose lid on jars whose seals seem tampered with or damaged. Report a defective cap to the store manager.
• Avoid buying cans that are deeply dented, bulging, rusting or have a dent on either the top or side seam.
• Use plastic bags to separate raw meat, poultry and seafood before placing them in your cart to avoid contaminating ready-to-eat foods like bread or produce.
• When shopping, select perishable foods last before checkout and group them together.
• Take groceries home immediately and store them right away. If on an extended trip, bring a cooler with chill packs for perishable foods. Perishable foods must be refrigerated within two hours and only one hour if it is over 90 F outside.
• Keep perishable foods out of the hot trunk in summer and place in the air-conditioned car instead.  

The DeCA website is a good resource for food safety. To find the latest food safety alerts and product recalls affecting military commissaries, visit the News Room on commissaries.com and select the box that says “Food Recall.”

For more on food safety awareness, go to the CDC website. Information on food handling techniques is also available at Eatright.org.

-DeCA-

     It’s Sidewalk Sale Time at DeCA Commissaries around the world. The events take place in August and September. Visit the Sidewalk Sale Schedule to find when your commissary is having a sale. Most stores will have a two or three day outdoor sale depending on weather.

    “If you need to save money on items for school lunches or after-school snacks, you cannot afford to miss these sidewalk sales,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “These events are like experiencing a warehouse club store right outside the commissary.”

     The sale will offer savings on case and club-pack items similar to those you would find in commercial club stores like Sam’s Club or Costco. Savings vary but you can save up to 50% off regular prices on some items. Each commissary selects what items are available. According to Kevin L. Robinson, Public Affairs Specialist, Defense Commissary Agency, “Generally these sales will have detergents, paper products, cereal, box drinks, soda, tea, pet food, cheese, yogurts, body wash, bar soap, shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, and frozen meat. For the fall event, the frozen items are concentrated on frozen hamburgers, chicken, sausage, and ice cream.”

     There will also be items from the following categories:

•       Pet supplies to include bagged and canned food, treats and cat litter 
•       International foods such as Italian, Asian and Hispanic items 
•       Cookies, brownies, pancakes and muffin mixes 
•       Canned fruit and vegetables 
•       Sandwich, storage and freezer bags; paper products and cleaning supplies such as bathroom tissue, fabric sheets and laundry detergent 
•       Health and beauty care including diapers, wipes, soaps and body lotions

     Several commissaries will partner with exchanges for certain promotions linked to this event. In addition to the case lot formats like those found in commercial club stores, commissary sidewalk events also offer “mix and match” packages of similar items in bulk-size cases.

     “Shopping your commissary is always a good deal, but the opportunities to save more during commissary sidewalk sales make a good deal even better,” O’Neal said. Sidewalk Sales take place in the Spring (April-May) and the Fall (August – September) each year.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Military resale patrons can save money on their critical supplies

By Kevin L. Robinson, DeCA public affairs specialist

FORT LEE, Va. – The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, community had no clue before the Independence Day holiday that their celebratory fireworks would be overshadowed by two earthquakes on consecutive days, July 4-5.

Although the commissary reopened in less than a week, and electricity and water were restored to most of the base shortly after the second earthquake, it would be weeks before any sense of normalcy returned to the sprawling desert base.

In September, National Preparedness Month highlights the importance of being ready for emergencies. It’s a message service members and their families should take to heart, said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales.

“It’s not a question of ‘if’ bad weather will strike or an unplanned event will leave you without electricity or water,” Russ said. “So apply the lessons of Preparedness Month and take advantage of your commissary and exchange benefits to save money as you prepare your survival kits.”

From April through Oct. 31, DeCA’s severe weather preparedness promotional package is offering various items for those survival kits at reduced prices. This package includes: beef jerky and other assorted meat snacks, soup and chili mixes, canned goods, powdered milk, cereals, batteries, airtight bags, weather-ready flashlights, tape (all-weather, heavy-duty shipping and duct), first-aid kits, lighters, matches, lanterns, candles, hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes. Specific promotional items may vary from store to store.

The theme for this year’s National Preparedness Month is “Prepared, Not Scared.” The month is separated into four activities: Sept. 1-7 – save early for disaster costs; Sept. 8-14 – make a plan to prepare for disasters; Sept. 15-21 – teach youth to prepare for disasters; and Sept. 22-30 – get involved in your community’s preparedness.

Generally, emergency preparedness officials suggest having a disaster supply kit that includes the following items:

• Water – at least one gallon daily, per person (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)
• Nonperishable foods – canned meats, fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, raisins, cereal, crackers, cookies, energy bars, granola, peanut butter, and foods for infants and the elderly (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)
• Paper goods – writing paper, paper plates, paper towels and toilet paper
• Cooking items – pots, pans, baking sheets, cooking utensils, charcoal, a grill and a manual can opener
• First-aid kit – including bandages, medicines and prescription medications
• Cleaning materials – bleach, sanitizing spray, and hand and laundry soap
• Specialty foods – diet and low-calorie foods and drinks
• Toiletries – personal hygiene items and moisture wipes
• Pet care items – food, water, muzzle, leash, carrier, medications, medical records, and identification and immunization tags
• Lighting accessories – flashlight, batteries, candles and matches
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA weather radio, if possible)
• Duct tape, scissors
• Multipurpose tool
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates and insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Maps of the area
• Blankets or sleeping bags

            Commissary patrons can go to commissaries.com for web links to a variety of disaster preparedness resources.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, go to Ready.gov where there are also links to more resources such as the Hurricane Seasonal Preparedness Digital Toolkit. Military families can also find information on emergency procedures specific to their service.

-DeCA-

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:         62-19                                                                                                                        

Date:                              August 5 2019

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Ready for some football?

Shop the commissary to save on tasty items needed for your watch party or tailgating event

By Rick Brink,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: Go to the DeCA website to see the news release online.

FORT LEE, Va. – You name it – from brats, wings and steaks, to chips, drinks and fresh vegetables – your commissary has what you need to make your football tailgate or watch party so memorable that you won’t care if your team wins or loses.

Well, it might not take away the sting of a loss, but it will relieve some of the burden put on your wallet to buy so much food.

“Commissary shoppers have a variety of tastes and traditions when it comes to tailgating and football watch parties. We have what they’re looking for at prices that bring greater enjoyment because they’re spending less for more,” said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales.

“And we have what fits their lifestyle,” Russ added. “Whether it’s cooking from scratch, or heating up pre-cooked frozen items, we have it at their commissary.”

Here’s a simple checklist of things to look for at your commissary:

• Meat – from fresh to frozen, you’ll find a wide variety of chicken, hamburger, steaks, brats luncheon meats and pre-cooked meats.
• Fruits and veggies – out of the bin or in platters made to order, commissaries are loaded with produce fare to augment that main menu.
• Beverages – from water to juice to soft drinks, commissaries have something for everybody’s taste buds.
• Snacks, sides and condiments – any grocery store worth its salt has what it takes to fill a bowl or two with just about any type of salad you can think about, and then there’s a tremendous variety of salty snacks and dips to go with them. Don’t forget condiments and sauces.
• Paper plates, napkins and utensils – who wants to do dishes after having a blast? Also, get your garbage bags so you won’t leave a mess behind.
• Sunscreen – even if your tailgate has shade or a canopy, you’ll want to take measures to avoid getting sunburnt.

DeCA reminds patrons they can also save on their tailgating supplies by visiting commissaries.com for online access to digital coupons via the Commissary Rewards Card, current sales promotions, information on commissary brands, the current sales flyer, the Your Everyday Savings (YES!) program and more.

Plus, throughout the month, m­ilitary commissaries are offering discounts beyond everyday savings, especially in displays at the ends of the aisles, where stores showcase products with extra-low prices.

-DeCA-

By Marguerite Cleveland

    Beginning January 1, 2020, you may see more shoppers at your local Commissary and Exchange, up to three million more. The FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act expands the eligibility to former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, disabled Veterans (service-connected) and caregivers for Veterans will now have shopping privileges as well as use of base MWR programs that generate revenue. It is the largest expansion of authorized users in over 60 years authorizing a 50% increase in potential customers.

     On a positive note, more shoppers are a way to reverse the declining revenues for on-base stores. More revenue for the Exchanges means more money towards military quality of life. For the commissary it will help to keep the commissary privilege which is a huge noncash compensation benefit for service members. Three million seems like a lot of new patrons but that will be spread out across all branches of the service and all the facilities in the U.S. making the impact negligible.

     For military families who have grown accustomed to shopping at the commissaries and exchanges and their service member maybe facing a medical board. It will be an added benefit to know that they will still be able to enjoy the discounted prices if their service member is medically discharged.

     The Military Times reported that Homeland Security (Coast Guard facilities), the Defense Department and Veteran Affairs have been working for more than six months to plan for the new expansion. The planning process has looked at which states have high populations of disabled veterans such as Florida, California and Texas. They also looked at high cost areas where new patrons could be drawn by the lower prices such as Hawaii, Alaska, California, D.C., New York, New Jersey and Washington. They will use this analysis to prepare for the additional items which will be needed to keep shelves full and avoid any shortages.

     One issue is how the new shoppers will gain access to the installations so they can shop. According to the Military Times, the Veteran’s Health ID Card will be used for disabled and other eligible Veterans. Once the technology is enabled at the front gate, the cards will be scanned to allow access to the installation. The cards will also be read by commissary systems before checkout. For caregivers, you must be registered in the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Program. Initially there will be a memo you can print out. The goal is to develop a caregiver ID card.

     By law there can be no further expense to the commissary, so new customers paying with a credit card at the commissary will be charged a fee, to cover the commissaries cost for the credit card fee. There is no fee if a new shopper uses cash, check or the military star card.

     Do you think adding new shoppers to the commissary and exchanges are a good idea? How do you think it will impact your shopping experience?

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com