Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Have a Good Shopping Experience at Commissary

By

Do you shop at the commissary? Do you sometimes find yourself frustrated over the experience? Shopping at the commissary doesn’t have to be so frustrating for you. These tips can help you get organized and make the shopping trip more enjoyable.

Here are 5 tips to help you have a more positive shopping experience at your commissary.

1. Organize your coupons.

Using coupons at the commissary will save you money but only if you bring them with you. So many times I don’t think about my coupons beforehand and end up leaving them at home. Come up with a plan, carry a small coupon envelope in your purse and always plan to bring it with you when you go. Figure out what coupons you will be using ahead of time and hand them to the cashier when you check out.

Related: Commissary Rewards Card Helps Military Families Save Money

If you can, match some of your coupons to what is on sale for the month. You will be able to save more money that way.

2. Have cash ready for tipping your baggers.

At the commissary you will need to have a tip handy for the baggers. That is the only money that they get paid. I try to make sure that I have a few dollars with me before I get there. Having the money already in your purse or wallet is nice because you don’t have to think about it when you go to pay.

However, you are able to get cash back if you need to. Just ask the cashier for 5 one dollar bills. That shouldn’t be a problem since a lot of people do the same thing and the cashiers are used to people asking for small bills.

3. Make a shopping list.

When shopping at the commissary you need to have a good shopping list. Plan your meals and write down what you need to get. Do an inventory of what you have at home so you don’t buy something you already have enough of.

By making a shopping list you will save yourself money because you won’t just be grabbing everything you see when you are in the commissary. You will have a list you can stick to.

If you want to be even more organized, write down what you need to buy based on where things are located in the commissary. That will help speed up your shopping trip.

4. Plan your shopping days.

Don’t go to the commissary on payday if you can avoid it. The commissary will always be crowded on payday. If you have to go that day, go there early in the morning to avoid most of the crowds.

If you plan your days and budget right you can avoid having to go on the one day everyone else is getting paid too. I remember being there on a payday when I was pregnant on a hot summer day, the line was all the way to the back of the store. Not something I ever wanted to repeat.

5. Plan for your kids.

If you have to take your kids with you to the commissary, make sure you plan for that. You don’t want them to get bored or make your shopping trip impossible. Think about what will help keep them entertained while you are there.

You can also have them help you with your shopping. Give them their own list to take around or ask them questions about the types of foods you are going to be buying. Keeping them busy will make for an easier trip. If your child is young enough and you can find one, a car cart can help keep them busy and excited about the shopping trip.

What do you do in order to have a positive experience at the commissary?

A Guide for Returning Items to the Commissary

By

My husband and I had a major commissary run a couple weeks back where we stocked up on personal care items. Shampoo, conditioner, lotion and shaving items were among the big purchases. Because it was a slew of our most commonly purchased items, I didn’t think twice about holding onto the receipt.

I started using the shaving cream that I bought during that recent commissary raid and a couple days into it, the canister stopped dispensing the shaving cream. It was so unusual because I could feel the bottle was full, but somehow it wouldn’t pump out appropriately.

I thought I was out of luck because I tossed the receipt, then I remembered an amazing perk for commissary patrons. You don’t need a receipt for returning items.

That’s when I brought the bottle back to the commissary and explained my situation. Together with the customer service representative, I showed her how the bottle wouldn’t work and in the next second, we did an even trade and good news, the new bottle worked!

The commissary’s return policy is one of the best out there and I think it’s one that is underutilized too. Your local commissary is really there to be helpful. In addition, they are always working on enhancing the customer experience with programs like Click2Go and biannual case lot sales.

After my positive experience with returning an item at the commissary, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight the commissary’s return policy, so you’re not left questioning if you could return something or not.

Here’s your guide to returning items to the commissary:

You can return items without a receipt.

I already mentioned this amazing detail above. It’s so wonderful that I had to reiterate it here. I was thankful to be able to trade my defective shaving cream for another one. It was an even trade, so the transaction was simple and fast.

You’re able to get a full refund of the current cost of the item without your receipt via DeCA gift cards in increments of $25 or $50. If your total return costs less than $25, you’ll receive that in cash. Another way to get the credit from the return is just to apply it directly to a purchase, especially if the credit uses the whole refund amount.

The only goods that have a limitation are tobacco products and baby formula. Those items can be exchanged for another tobacco product or baby formula.

You can return items after trying it.

As I was waiting for the customer service representative, the woman in front of me was returning a cleaning item that she wasn’t happy with. She had her receipt, so she was able to get a full refund right then and there, even after using the product.

Be sure to pocket this refund policy because it’s typically one you don’t think about. I would think that after opening and using a product, that’s it. Luckily, that’s not the case.

Don’t feel like you have to keep something that didn’t work for your family.

You can return items to any commissary.

This is wonderful because the military moves us around so much that there might be a circumstance to return an item at a completely new location. I live in the Washington, D.C., area, so I have opportunity to visit more than one commissary depending on where I am (or my husband is) for the day. The same goes with how you receive credit back when you’re returning to another commissary too, especially if you don’t have your receipt.

What questions do you have about your commissary?

Food Shortages Are Not Standard

By

Throughout the year, military families have been experiencing shortages at OCONUS commissaries. It started with a dispute with contracts as well as issues with shipment deliveries at the beginning of this year.

The discrepancies caused a back up and we, at MilitaryShoppers, shared DeCA’s response in April that the commissary shipments to OCONUS locations would still need several more months to catch up to normal levels.

In January, the overseas commissary stock on stores was at a terrible position. Shelves were empty for weeks and DeCA had to make emergency shipments to make sure military families were able to at least get the necessities. DeCA needed time to get the new commissary contract negotiation underway and after the agreement was established, the shipment process also needed time to smooth out.

At this point, the 3- to 4-month timeline that DeCA outlined has expired and OCONUS commissaries should be experiencing similar inventory as years previous.

It’s not common for commissaries overseas to have global shortages. In fact, commissaries are a very important go-to location for families stationed OCONUS.

With that said, it can still be a challenge to acquire certain American goods because of availability to ship and dealing with extensive shipping times. Military families miss the luxuries of what was once easy to buy when stateside. It’s almost an understanding that when a service member gets stationed at an OCONUS location that your family will have a limited supply of groceries.

Even before the major shortage of 2015, military families have been practicing tips and tricks for dealing with an overseas commissary because, let’s face it, we need to be a little understanding about the shipping woes.

Here are 3 suggestions to help you get through your OCONUS commissary inventory struggles.

  1. Try the Local Cuisine. Before my husband was stationed in Korea, he would have NEVER thought about eating Korean food. Well, I probably would have eventually presented it to him at some point, but he was such a picky eater! His assignment to Korea was the perfect way to “forcefully” introduce him to the food and he has since, opened his mind (i.e. taste buds) to different cuisines. Get yourself and your family out to the markets and pick up on the culture. You’ll be thankful for it later!
  2. Stock Up When You Can. When you see a particular food you like in stock that is sparse at times, pick up extras at the commissary and save it. If it’s something fresh, be mindful of the shelf life and use it before it goes bad. That could mean to double up on a favorite dish for 2 weeks in a row to get the most out of an ingredient that’s hard to come by. In addition, you can utilize the freezer to keep applicable foods preserved for awhile. I’m a fan of canned veggies for times that fresh ones might be hard to come by. It also makes for a quick dish when you’re tight on time with dinner too.
  3. Use This Time to Get Creative. Notice that an ingredient is not available at the commissary that is typically in your family’s favorite recipe? Think outside the box and substitute it for another ingredient that is available at your OCONUS commissary. Instead of being frustrated that something is missing, accept the challenge of modifying a recipe and you might be surprised by the taste. The worst thing that could happen is that you don’t like it. At least you tried and can cross that substitution off your list for any future meals.

Hopefully by now, the shortages that OCONUS military families have been dealing with at the beginning of this year has subsided and the commissary you’re familiar with from previous years is back on track.

Have you experienced a commissary food shortage while stationed overseas? How did you deal with it?

10 Changes We’d Love to See at the Commissary

By

We love shopping at the commissary, but there are still a few things that each of us would like to see improved upon.

Here are the top 10 changes we would love to see the commissary make.

Extended Shopping Hours. Commissary business hours are not consistent across the board. Some are open 7 days a week while others are closed on Mondays for restocking. The small commissary on NSF Dahlgren is closed on Sundays and Mondays  and only open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the week, with an extra hour on Tuesdays.

Bigger bases have longer hours though. Little Creek commissary in Virginia Beach is open 7 days a week. They have early bird entry at 8:30 a.m. and regular hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (on Sundays they close at 7 p.m. though). We all like shopping at the commissary, but when you need a last-minute item, the commissary may already be closed.

Wider Aisles. If you go to the commissary early in the morning, you’re going to run into retirees and parents shopping with their young children. If you’ve ever tried to pass either of these customers down an aisle in the commissary, you know it’s a hard thing to do. Most aisles are too narrow. There ends up being a line of people waiting to go around someone that is looking at a product or attending to their children.

More Free Samples. Adults and children love free samples. Giving kids something to snack on makes shopping easier as they are busy with their treats. Consumers are more likely to purchase a product once they have tried it as well, which increases sales.

Continually Stocked Shelves. Due to shipping complications, some commissary shoppers overseas have had issues with product availability.  This past year, overseas commissaries were faced with food shortages that led to disappointment among those commissary patrons that rely heavily on the commissary for their groceries.

More Made in America Products. We have an International aisle, so why don’t we have an American aisle? It is really hard to find things made in America. You have to search labels for the country of origin. Some companies proudly advertise it on the front, which makes more of us inclined to purchase it. If, for example, you wanted to buy apple juice made with apples grown only in the United States you won’t be able to do that. They all contain apples from multiple countries.

Bigger Organic Selection. We are all trying to feed our families healthy meals by being better informed on product quality. More and more customers are purchasing organic items and the demand is increasing. Many markets offer large organic sections, having both an organic produce area and an entire aisle dedicated to organic products. You don’t see nearly as much of this in the commissaries.

Coffee Shop Inside the Commissary. It doesn’t have to be Starbucks necessarily, well maybe for some picky consumers it does. Some commissaries have a free cup of coffee station at the entrance, but that is just a tease.  Many military installations have contracts with Starbucks, Einstein Bagels, Dunkin Donuts and more for coffee shops in the food courts, but we’re talking about getting a deliciously brewed beverage right there in the commissary. It isn’t as far fetch either as lucky commissary patrons in California already have this perk.

More Fun Kid Friendly Shopping Carts. Some of the commissaries have spaceship shopping carts or other designs with pretend steering wheels for children to ride in while their parents shop. The problem is that there are only a few of these.

Once your child has spotted one they’ll ask to ride in one each time you venture to the commissary and finding one can be difficult.

Adding a few more to each commissary would be great. Many grocery stores also have child size shopping carts so they can have their own cart to push and feel like they are truly helping shop.

No More Plastic Bag. Plastic bags are already banned in multiple states. It’s time that the commissary joins the crusade to help the environment. Paper bags are a better option and reusable bags are also available for purchase the commissary.

Order Online and Curbside Pickup. There are grocery stores that already offer this perk. It would be great if the commissary did too. It would be especially helpful to people that find it hard to get inside to shop, particularly elderly, disabled and parents with babies and small children. There is a program being tested. Hopefully it is successful and becomes a commissary benefit.

What changes would you like to see at the commissary?

Is the Commissary an Outdated Military Benefit?

By

The commissary has a long history of serving the military community. The idea of purchasing goods at-cost came about in 1825 to help Army personnel. It provides a huge relief to the service member when it’s tough to get necessities at a decent price.

The commissary we’re used to today began in 1867, which means the commissary has been operating for almost 150 years, offering groceries and other household goods to military members.

Overseas commissaries started at the end of the 19th century in the Philippines and China. Of course, it’s since multiplied to other OCONUS locations. In addition, the benefit now includes all branches of the military including Guard, Reservists and their family members in addition to retirees. In 1990, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) was founded, which consolidated the commissary program. By forming DeCA, it allows for a streamlined and unified way to supply all commissaries.

The commissary benefit has helped military families generation after generation. My parents still shop at the commissary and my father joined the Air Force in 1979. They manage to get lots of different items at reasonable prices and my husband and I also benefit from shopping at the commissary. I have to mention my grandparents too. Between the three generations, my family encompasses Navy, Air Force and now Army ties!

Savings for military families average at about 30% compared to civilian grocery stores. That percentage offers a pretty substantial discount over brand name products. Although the commissary provides lower prices, big-box stores like Walmart and Super Target can be competitive when compared to the commissary. Another argument is that the commissary doesn’t offer generic goods.

My husband and I tend to stick to the commissary mostly because the grocery goods we commonly get are priced cheaper there. Also, we’re still a relatively small family, so the bulk goods we purchase are all economical. Not to mention when we buy during a case lot sale, we don’t need certain items for months and months! There are so many other reasons why I prefer the commissary. MilitaryShoppers has an awesome list of reasons why you should shop at the commissary.

One of my favorite reasons for shopping at the commissary is the international aisle. It’s one of the only local locations that offer Filipino cuisine, so I can get my cultural fix. My parents drive to their local commissary in Texas for the same reason to stock up on the different Filipino groceries because it’s priced well. It’s difficult to find certain items sometimes! No matter where you’ve been stationed, I’m sure there is a good representation of it at your commissary. I love that there is a chance to try international food without having to be stationed there too.

The commissary continues to modernize by incorporating online resources to help families get the most out of their commissary experience. Military families can sign up for the commissary rewards card and app. The commissary rewards card gives you the capability to redeem coupons online. In addition, they have the Click 2 Go program for select commissaries that allows military families to buy goods online and pick them up at a later date. It saves time and is convenient.

Despite its age, the commissary is still a wonderful resource for the military community. That’s why I keep shopping trips to the commissary on my agenda.

Why do you think the commissaries are a good benefit for military families and retirees?

6 Pumpkin Treats for Care Package

By

Are you putting together an autumn-themed care package this year? It is really difficult to find the commonly available fall goodies outside of America that we all stateside have come to know and love. Take some time this season to pack up a few pumpkin treats for your loved one in an autumn-themed care package. A little reminder of home can go a long way to make the day of a service member missing this great season.

Here are 6 delicious pumpkin-flavored treats available for a limited time at your military commissary. Stop by and stock up, not only for your service member’s care package, but also for yourself.

1. Pumpkin Spice Oreos

Yes, these absolutely delicious cookies do exist. I might of already eaten more than my fair share of them. The overpowering aroma of cinnamon and spice will have your loved one instantly in a state of fall euphoria.

The packaging for Pumpkin Spice Oreos is small enough that you can fit a couple of them into an autumn care package. You will want to send more than one, because they will be requesting more. Pumpkin Spice Oreos are only around for a limited time, so stock up today.

2. Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts are a great way to start a morning. Your service member will be thanking you for sending them in the care package. Delicious right out of the package, but even more so hot out of the toaster, these treats are sure to have anyone on their way to a good day.

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts are only available in the large box that contains 12 toaster pastries, so fitting more than 2 boxes into a care package my be difficult. But it’s worth it.

3. Quaker Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal

This is another pumpkin-inspired breakfast item to add to your autumn care package. While it isn’t quite cold here, your service member may be experiencing chillier weather where they are. Help them start their day off with a delicious fall breakfast with Quaker Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal. It will surely bring back memories of autumn days in America.

4. Starbucks VIA Instant Pumpkin Spice Latte

You don’t need to make a special trip to Starbucks to pick up their VIA Instant Pumpkin Spice Latte for this care package. Instead, simply venture down the coffee isle in your commissary. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much less they cost at the commissary as well. The packaging is very small so you will be able to put multiple Starbucks VIA Instant Pumpkin Spice Latte packets into an autumn care package.

5. Dunkin’ Donuts Pumpkin Spice Ground Coffee

Does your service member love pumpkin spice coffee? No need to add calorie loaded pumpkin syrup to their morning brew. Dunkin’ Donuts has released their Pumpkin Spice Ground Coffee again this year and you’ll find it in the commissary. Add a bag to your autumn care package and delight your service member with this delicious coffee.

6. Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Pepperidge Farm actually has 2 different pumpkin spice cookies. You can choose between their Pumpkin Spice Milano Cookies or the Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies. Both are very sweet so if you have a service member with a sweet tooth, this is for them.

The Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies are actually made with real cream cheese and are amazingly soft. Your autumn care package will be stuffed with greatness with either of these 2 cookies.

Don’t forget to add other personal touches to your autumn care package. Take the children to a local pumpkin patch and take their photos. You can have the kids color a frame for it or draw a picture. Make a few fall themed greeting cards and add some popular fall movies. Hocus Pocus is a good non-scary movie that may bring back memories of family movie nights.

Looking for pumpkin recipes? Search MilitaryShoppers’ recipe contest page.

Make your service member’s day by surprising them with an autumn care package full of delicious pumpkin-inspired treats.

What are your favorite items to send in care packages this time of year?

10 Commissary Rewards Card Coupons

By

Each of us has our own rules for life. My sister never eats dessert after 8 p.m. My husband will only eat a banana before a 5k race. I have a very predictable routine in the morning that hinges on one simple rule: Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my first cup of coffee.

When it comes to coupons and saving money, I also have a few guiding principles. For example, a coupon must be worth my time to redeem it. I don’t get excited about 25 cents off 1 product coupons. But I’m always finding a way to use a $1 off coupon. That’s my $1 coupon rule.

There are items that I need to buy, but I won’t buy without a coupon. Those items include deodorant, razors refills, shampoo and conditioner, nail polish, hair products, face and body wash. I have learned that these items regularly have coupons available for them and I’m a fool if I buy without a coupon. It’s my plan-to-save-when-I-buy rule. (Confession: This was a tough rule to teach my husband.)

My final rule is never-buy-without-scanning rule for the commissary. Remember how I browse the list of available digital coupons offered through the commissary rewards card each Sunday night. That’s only the first step to savings.

Next, I need to remember to follow my rule of always remembering to hand my cashier my commissary rewards card. Without scanning my commissary rewards card, I can’t save money. You can’t save if you don’t scan.

Here are 10 commissary rewards card coupons every military spouse should clip before shopping at the commissary this month.

1.Save $3 on one 13-pound or larger bag of Purina Beneful Dry Dog Food. It can be any variety. Purina Beneful dog food is also on sale this month at the commissary. Use this commissary rewards card coupon to buy the original Purina Beneful, Healthy Weight or Healthy Puppy dog food.

2. Save $1 on any Mars brands candy. Must purchase 2 bags. Halloween is right around the corner. Save money this Halloween by buying M&M, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Twix or Milky Way Fun Size for the trick or treaters in your neighborhood.

This is my first Halloween living in base housing. Here’s the math problem currently rolling around in my head: There are 60 kids living in my neighborhood. How much candy should I buy to ensure that I don’t run out of candy on October 31?

The answer? A lot.

3. Save $2 on any OPTI-FREE Solution. Contact solution! Eye drops! Both of those items are included in plan-to-save-when-I-buy rule. Whenever there’s a coupon, I stock up on contact solution so I’m paying full price for something that I use daily.

4. Save $0.75 on  MorningStar Farms Chikn Nuggets. Yes, I know this coupon is for less than $1, but I still added it to my commissary rewards card last night. Have you tried MorningStar Farms’ chicken nuggets? They are delicious. My children love them as much as the chicken nuggets at McDonalds. This commissary rewards coupon requires one purchase of a 8-count or larger package.

5. Save $1 on Newmans Own Frozen Pizza. Like MorningStar Farms’s chicken nuggets, Newmans Own Frozen Pizza is convenient cooking that tastes good. Usually convenience and flavor don’t find themselves together, but when they do, I’m the first mother to buy this product for my family.

6. Save $6 on Venus Razor Blade Refills or Gillette Blade Refill Package. It’s his and her savings, thanks to your commissary rewards card. Last month, you saved money when you bought the razor, this month you save on the refill pack. This commissary rewards coupon only applies to 6-count or larger refills and can’t be applied to trial or travel sizes.

7. Save $1 on Tide PODS, Gain Flings, Downy Fresh Protect, Bounce Bursts, Dreft Blissfuls or Gain Fireworks. Laundry detergent is another item that I wait to stock up on until there’s a sale or I have a coupon. The best combination is when I have both for extra savings.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials at the commissary? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers newsletter.

8. Save $2 on any 6 Gerber Organic or Gerber Graduates Grabbers Pouches. These baby food pouches are the best invention for parents who need to travel with small children. When we flew from Japan to the United States with our 18-month-old daughter, the Gerber Graduates Grabbers Pouches were a lifesaver. They are easy to open, delicious (according to my toddler) and don’t require a spoon. I love that I don’t need to (and therefore, don’t forget) to pack a spoon and my kid can still feed herself. Now we use them on road trips as our no-more-messes-in-the-car snack.

9. Save $2 on Pampers Easy Ups Training Pants or UnderJams Absorbent Night Wear or Splashers Swim Pants. After diapers, the next step is training pants and just like diapers, they are expensive. Always check your commissary rewards card app before buying Pamper Easy Ups.

10. Save $1 on any 2 packages of Hefty cups. Make clean-up at your next potluck a snap with these convenient cups.

What are your rules for using your commissary rewards card? Share them in the comments section.

Does the Commissary Raise Prices on Payday?

By

It’s a common misconception that the commissary raises prices on payday. For those that shop at the commissary regularly and purchase specific items on a continuous basis, we’ve all come to know the item’s price. When the price jumps up one day, the rumors start among military spouses.

Did the commissary raise the price because it’s payday?

Let’s put that rumor to rest. No, they do not raise prices on payday.

The commissary changes its prices twice a month, which happens to fall on the 1st and 16th of each month. It doesn’t mean they raise their prices on those days. That’s the cycle of sales. Those price changes last for 30 to 45 days, so while it may appear that the price went up, it really could be that you have enjoyed the sale price all month and that sale has now come to an end.

Many grocery stores out in town change their prices weekly or more often. This 30- to 45-day window is simply a longer business model.

At the same time prices are going up, they are also going down; it is usually a 50/50 mix.

Don’t forget that DeCA is required by law to sell all items at cost plus surcharge. They do not make a profit.

The commissary truly can be “worth the drive” as they say. By selling products at cost DeCA is passing on a huge savings to military families. Shopping at the commissary regularly can save you 30% overall on your grocery bill. Some people question this savings saying that they can find a particular item for less at a civilian grocery store. There are many reasons for this.

Their store model is most likely different so their prices might change more often than the commissary. Commercial stores can also buy into deals that manufacturers offer them in order to pass that savings on to consumers. Those types of deals are not necessarily available to the commissary.

These stores may also offer items at a loss to entice patrons into their store in hopes that they will spend more on higher profit earning items. Since the commissary can only sell goods at cost and does not make a profit, they do not engage in this sort of marketing.

There are many wonderful reasons to shop at the commissary and saving money is at the top of the list for many people. DeCA knows this, and that’s why they work so hard to bring the products we all love to commissaries around the world. Now that you know they do not raise their process on payday, shop easy the next time you’re at the commissary knowing you’re getting great products at good prices.

If you want to save even more, pick up a commissary rewards card at the checkout next time you shop. You can also find out when sales start by signing up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter and by visiting MilitaryShoppers anytime.

What questions do you have about shopping at the commissary? Share them with us in the comments section.

My Commissary-Listing by Name

By

Commissary-Alphabetical Listing

Click on your local commissary to be linked to the store’s web page where you can find store information including store hours of operation (including holiday hours), directions, phone numbers, contact information, floor plan, savings, and available services.

Can’t find your commissary listed here? Review the list of alternate commissary names.

DeCA hits 24 years of commissary benefits

By

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: 56-15
Date: September 24, 2015
Contact: Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist
Tel.: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
E-mail: kevin.robinson@deca.mil

DeCA hits 24th year of delivering commissary benefit

By Dr. Peter Skirbunt,

DeCA historian

 

Note: To access photos related to this news release, go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/albums/72157656718507943.

 

FORT LEE, Va. – Twenty-four years ago on Oct. 1, the Defense Commissary Agency officially opened its doors for business around the world. Today, its employees are preparing to observe this anniversary the way they do every year: working hard to bring the commissary benefit to their customers with great savings on name-brand products at 240 stores in 13 countries.

And that’s a fine way to mark this anniversary, said Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Stuart M. Allison, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “Because what really matters are our customers, America’s military community — the people who bear the brunt of this nation’s defense today, and the people who performed that duty in the past, and those in their immediate families.”

In the last 24 years, the people of DeCA have improved the commissary benefit in multiple ways, Allison said. “You see it in the quality of the facilities we run, the stock assortments our stores carry, and the savings we provide our customers.”

While Oct. 1 marks DeCA’s 24th anniversary, the commissary benefit itself is almost 150 years old. In 1866, Congress authorized the Army to sell food items, at cost, to officers and enlisted men starting July 1, 1867. These sales were authorized at every Army post with a subsistence warehouse. Sales areas were simply a table or counter in the warehouse, and the official stock list was only 82 items – but this was the start of the modern commissary benefit.

Since the early years of the 20th century, commissaries have been similar to civilian grocery stores and supermarkets in terms of both layout and the number of items offered for sale. In the last 24 years, store facilities have been further upgraded, more people have become eligible to enjoy the benefit, and customer savings have increased.

In 1991, commissaries provided average customer savings of 20 percent when compared with local grocery chains. Today, average savings are more than 30 percent.

Thanks to customer surcharge dollars, which fund new stores or renovate existing ones, the agency strives to provide military families with a shopping experience comparable to civilian sector stores.

While the Congress-mandated surcharge has remained at 5 percent since 1983, the number of items stocked by commissaries has increased, from about 13,000 in the largest stores in 1991 to the 22,500 items available in DeCA’s larger commissaries in 2015. National Guard and Reserve personnel, always key components of the military, were granted full-time commissary benefits in 2004.

Through the years, conveniences such as self-checkouts, sushi bars, hot foods, deli-bakeries, credit and debit card acceptance, gift certificates and much more have been added to modern commissaries.

When natural disasters strike military installations, as happened 10 years ago when Hurricane Katrina hit Gulf Coast installations hard, commissaries provide crucial aid to military and civilian families in need of food and supplies. Even when commissaries were severely damaged, temporary stores brought some sense of normality to affected customers.

Commissaries provide a substantial savings, particularly in high-cost-of-living areas of the country, and overseas they bring a morale-building “taste of home” by providing familiar American food products.

“When our troops go downrange, the families left behind depend upon their local community services, including the commissaries, to see them through tough, lonely times,” Allison said. “I know firsthand because the commissary’s been there for my family when I’ve had to deploy.

“With 24 years of experience as a Defense agency, commissaries continue delivering this highly valued military benefit to our men and women in uniform and their families,” he added.

So, as the agency observes its 24th birthday, Allison said he’s celebrating with a movie from the exchange, and some drinks, popcorn and other snacks from his commissary.

“I appreciate my commissary benefit and the folks who have run it for nearly a quarter of a century,” he said. “And I salute them all for carrying on that tradition of service.”

-DeCA-

 

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit and make no profit on the sale of merchandise. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. By shopping regularly in the commissary, patrons save an average of 30 percent or more on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

 

 

Stay Connected to Your Commissary Benefit

COMMISSARIES.COM: Visit www.commissaries.com to learn more about the Defense Commissary Agency: check out the latest news, find a store near you, see what’s on sale, create a shopping list, learn of food and product recalls, scan employment opportunities, read frequently asked questions, submit a customer comment form online through DeCA’s Your Action Line and more.

 

COMMISSARY CONNECTION: Stay connected with the latest news about your most valued benefit, Hot Links to additional savings, shopping sprees, contests, commissary promotions, events and more, go to www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm and subscribe to the Commissary Connection newsletter.

 

FACEBOOK: Visit www.facebook.com/YourCommissary, DeCA’s Facebook page, where you can post comments and share news, photos and videos.

 

YOUTUBE: To see DeCA’s latest videos, visit www.youtube.com/DefenseCommissary.

 

TWITTER: To see DeCA’s latest “tweets,” visit www.twitter.com/YourCommissary.

 

PINTEREST: To see DeCA’s theme-based image collections, visit http://www.pinterest.com/YourCommissary.

 

FLICKR: To see DeCA’s latest photographs, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/.