NEWS RELEASE
Defense Commissary Agency
Public Affairs
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: 33-14
Date: June 19, 2014
Contact: Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist
Tel.: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
E-mail: kevin.robinson@deca.mil
40 stores to offer carts for special-needs children
By Cherie Huntington,
DeCA public affairs specialist
FORT LEE, Va. – Forty commissaries across the United States will soon offer a grocery cart designed specifically for special-needs children.
Called “Caroline’s Cart™,” it enables special-needs children – or even adults under 250 pounds – to safely and easily accompany parents or caretakers on commissary shopping trips. The cart provides the option of using one basket instead of pushing both a wheelchair or stroller and a grocery cart when shopping.
“Many retailers and malls are now offering these special-needs carts,” said Randy Eller, DeCA’s deputy director of logistics. “Placing these carts into our commissaries will provide a valuable service to many military families at these installations.”
Eller said some commissaries have already received the carts. “Once we roll out the first 40 and gauge response, we’ll see if we should deploy more to the field,” he said.
Slightly larger than a traditional shopping cart, the special-needs carts have handles that swing away to allow easy access to the seat, and a platform below the seat serves as a footrest. With the occupant facing the cart operator, the seat contains a five-point adjustable harness for support. The cart’s two 8-inch wheels and four casters provide maneuverability and stability, and brakes help ensure safety while loading or unloading the passenger.
The carts will be located at the front of the store, or customers can ask a manager for assistance. Carts will be available only on a first-come, first-served basis. It will be the patron’s responsibility to place the individual in the cart.
Caroline’s Cart availability at commissaries, by state:
Alabama: Redstone Arsenal
California: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Naval Base San Diego, Vandenberg Air Force Base
Colorado: Peterson Air Force Base
D.C.: Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
Florida: Naval Station Mayport, Patrick Air Force Base
Georgia: Fort Benning, Fort Gordon
Hawaii: Pearl Harbor Commissary at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Illinois: Naval Station Great Lakes
Kansas: Fort Leavenworth, McConnell Air Force Base
Kentucky: Fort Knox
Maryland: Fort Meade
Missouri: Richards-Gebaur
Montana: Malmstrom Air Force Base
Nevada: Nellis Air Force Base
New Hampshire: Naval Shipyard Portsmouth
New Mexico: Cannon Air Force Base
New York: Fort Hamilton
North Carolina: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Fort Bragg South
Ohio: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Oklahoma: Tinker Air Force Base
South Carolina: Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Tennessee: Naval Support Activity Memphis
Texas: Fort Bliss, Fort Hood – Clear Creek
Virginia: Fort Belvoir, Joint Base Langley-Eustis (both commissaries), Naval Air Station Oceana, Marine Corps Base Quantico
Washington: Fairchild Air Force Base, McChord Commissary at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Read more about Caroline’s Cart at http://www.carolinescart.com.
-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. 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.
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