Commissary bakeries, delis and sushi bars on U.S. installations that were closed over the last few months are finally reopening.
Nayyarsons Corporation held the contract for these, but DeCA (Defense Commissary Agency) canceled two contracts and did not renew one due to performance-related issues. Twenty-two commissaries were initially affected by this with another 22 shortly after that. Some bakeries, delis and sushi bars were temporarily closed while new contractors were sought.
Product shortages were one of the main issues DeCA repeatedly faced with Nayyarsons Corporation’s performance. The company was given a chance to rectify problems, but nothing it did resolved the shortcomings. DeCA operates a chain of commissaries around the world offering groceries to military service members, retirees and their families. The commissary is an important and valued benefit that many rely on. DeCA chose to end business with this company in order to find and maintain quality goods and services from a company it could rely on.
Military Deli and Bakery Services Inc. (MDBS) has been contracted to meet these needs. They already have contracts to manage the same sections in 72 commissaries. Most of those commissaries are on military installations out west, in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and in Georgia. Military Deli and Bakery Services will now have contracts to cover 116 commissaries.
Since the end of February, most commissaries have only had limited deli-bakery functions. DeCA temporarily hired former employees of Nayyarsons Corporation as government employees in order to keep service going. Other patrons, such as those at Fort Carson, were surprised to find their deli closed.
After negotiations, a contract has been signed and families are once again seeing lights on behind the counters in commissaries across the country. DeCA expects sushi bars to be operating once again by the end of this month for those stores that previously had them.
Is your commissary on the list?
- Alabama: Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base*, Redstone Arsenal*, Fort Rucker*
- Arkansas: Little Rock Air Force Base*
- Colorado: Buckley Air Force Base*, Fort Carson*, Peterson Air Force Base*, U.S. Air Force Academy
- Illinois: Scott Air Force Base*, Naval Station Great Lakes*
- Indiana: Harrison Village
- Kansas: McConnell Air Force Base*, Fort Leavenworth*, Fort Riley*
- Kentucky: Fort Campbell*, Fort Knox*
- Louisiana: Barksdale Air Force Base*, Naval AIr Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Fort Polk*
- Michigan: Selfridge Air National Guard Base
- Mississippi: Columbus Air Force Base*, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport*, Keesler Air Force Base*
- Missouri: Fort Leonard Wood*, Whiteman Air Force Base
- Nebraska: Offutt Air Force Base*
- New Mexico: Cannon Air Force Base, Holloman Air Force Base*, Kirtland Air Force Base*, White Sands Missile Range
- North Dakota: Grand Forks Air Force Base*, Minot Air Force Base*
- Ohio: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- Oklahoma: Altus Air Force Base, Fort Still*, Tinker Air Force Base*, Vance Air Force Base
- Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Area
- South Dakota: Ellsworth Air Force Base*
- Tennessee: Naval Support Activity Mid-South (Memphis)*
- Texas: Fort Bliss*, Sheppard Air Force Base*
- Wyoming: FE Warren Air Force Base
* Locations with sushi bars
On July 1, 2015, American military commissaries celebrated their 148th anniversary. Shopping has changed dramatically in that time, but one thing has stayed the same, they still sell groceries at cost. DeCA wants to ensure the legacy continues and patrons will be able to purchase quality goods as one of the key benefits service members and families receive.
Hopefully, Military Deli and Bakery Services is the right company to help DeCA keep on track so that we can keep shopping.
