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.
I would like to GENERIC products for cheaper prices!!! They used to carry some or these items & they have dissappearred. I saved so much more, I can save so much more shoppingg generic procucts at Walmart!!!
If you want generics, go to those stores. The whole purpose of the commissary is to get brand-name goods at cost.
That’s great if your stateside, but if you live over seas your options are limited.
That’s not an option for those of us overseas.
Elaine, I totally agree. I love name brand products, but find them to be almost twice as much outside than in the commissary.
Even with the sales, the local stores top brands are still more expensive than our commissary.
Yes!!! I always buy the Exchange brand products. If the commissary offered DeCA
I’ve been using WIC for years and not once has a WIC transaction gone well. The cashier never knows how to do these transactions and I’m held up for a minimum of 10-15 mins. Every time. I’ve made complaints left messages with management and all they say is that they will better train their employees. However I’ve not seen any results. I also need to add that the store shelves are not accurately marked for WIC items. I’m sure I’m not the only one complaining here. Because of this problem I’ve not shopped in a commissary since. It’s been a year. I would like to shop again but it’s not worth the hold up in the check out isle with my kids. What can be done?
The lighting needs to be brighter. Yeah, yeah, yeah .. I know, to save money … but honestly it’s depressing to shop in a dimly lite store. When building a new store or renovating Command needs to have community involvement.
I’d love to see a “discount” if some type for bringing your own reusable bags! Many stores offer this, at 1-10 cents per bag USED. Saves the commissary overhead (surcharge) so why not pass on the savings ? One more way to encourage “going green!”
Every commissary I’ve shipped in has offered an incentive for bringing your own bags. Maybe ask next time you’re at the checkout. The PX also offers a discount for bringing your own bags.
That is not the case in our commissary. Although the px offers this incentive the commissary here does not. I would bring my own bags if they had that incentive but I don’t see paying a surcharge “to pay for the overhead” and then bring my own bags on top of things.. Also the commissary at this duty station changes their prices on pay day and charges considerably more for certain items than at other times. There was recently an article released that showed that the savings were far less than 30% depending on what duty station you were at. It was more like 17-18% savings and some times less than that. And this was mainly due to not selling store brands or cheaper non brand name items as opposed to name brand items as opposed to off post stores that did. It would be nice to see those changes.. Also, although baggers work for tips only, out commissary requires them to pay $7 a day to work there supposedly to pay the head baggers wage, but when speaking to the head bagger he/she does not receive that money. They also require the baggers to supply their own “uniforms” which change by season.. Deck is operating on extortion on that note..
I don’t know where you shop at what commissary, but I have shopped at several of them over my 70+ years and find it difficult to think that a commissary would elevate prices at paydays. My wife works at a local commissary and their prices are mandated at all CONUS stores regardless of location. I personally make it a point to verify prices at the commissary vs. Wal-Mart prices and Publix, Winn-Dixie and Sams. Hands down, the commissary has the lowest prices around. Honestly check your local prices. As to the baggers, something is wrong at your commissary. The hiring and the regulations that govern what they wear and the rules they are required to follow are strictly listed in the commissary regulations nationwide. Someone is feeding you a line and if you believe this stuff, you should check with the store director for clarification. Rumors are like rain………… they dampen too many good things.
I have been reusing my paper bags at Eglin AFB for about 6 months. When they ask if I want paper or plastic, they seem to be surprised I have my own bags, so I think not many people reuse paper bags at this commissary. I started doing this after reading one of your articles. So far no one has offered me a discount for using my old paper bags.
I love this article. I know here in Fort Drum the hours at the commissary change during the winter hours. They close earlier. If they would label the WIC items in the isles that would be lovely. Sometimes t is hard for us to find the specific items that are in the check because they don’t carry it (for example, while milk yogurt)
I think everyone would love to see an in store daycare… Because the last thing most people want to do while they are shopping is listen to other people’s “precious” children crying over a bag of candy… or the rocket cart. Ew.
Seriously?? How is this even a helpful suggestion?!
Have better prices. When I first joined it was worth going to the commissary. Now the stores off base offer better discounts, buy one get one free and more on sale items. I can fill my pantry for $100 of base, and barely fill the bag for that at the commissary. It used to be the other way around years ago!
Better prices. The commissary is so overpriced. If I didn’t live overseas, I would never set foot in a commissary. Unfortunately, if I want many of our comfort foods I have to shop there. It can easily cost me $25-30 to feed my family of 5 one meal that in the states would cost $10. And, the quality of the food at the overseas commissaries are horrible. Luckily we have a local grocery store nearby, so we don’t have to use the commissary too often.
I agree about the prices. I am trying very hard to support my local commissary. They just did an overhaul, but now we have a smaller selection of many items and prices have rocketed. There is another commissary a little over an hour away – I know it’s a much bigger commissary (bakery/deli, etc.) and I may consider going there to see if prices are any better.
I would like to see healthier options (like in a health food store). Our soldiers have physical standards to meet and having ALL heavily processed foods is not the answer. Better prices. Commissaries are no longer the cheapest place for military families to shop. Grass feed animal meats, not steroid injected, same for milk.
Fort Gordon’s commissary needs a total makeover. It’s entirely to small the Grafenwohr Getmany commissary was sooooooooo much bigger and accommodated less people.. There is a huge retiree population here that use the commissary as a social get together. The aisles are small, the roof looks like it’s molding, and the hours do not fit the everyday households. Invest in new facilities!
Non GMO products, larger selection of organic fruits and vegetables and organic grass fed meats.
The Commissary is getting better with more fresh items .. but I’d like to have back a real butcher counter (and this includes fresh seafood). In addition .. there’s ingredients that are fresh, grown .. but not available .. (for example .. horseradish root — I use fresh root to make my own horseradish sauce that is far milder and more tasty than the commercial offerings). Also such as Creme Fraiche– more gluten free (or low gluten) offerings.
I would like DECA to keep up with the military and provide better service. Example is Cannon AFB where the base has expanded and has more authorized users than ever but there are no plans to increase the physical size of the commissary or to increase the selection of merchandise.
My commissary was recently “reset.” That’s fancy words for saying take everything off the shelves and find it a new place to live! Inevitably, a man has had the major role in redesigning the commissary. How about a little input from the community? And WHY did they delete so many products? I agree that I can do better in civilian grocery stores. Toddler grandson is part of my household and we NEVER buy milk at the commissary. At least 2 grocery stores can beat the commissary’s price. $1.29 per pound for frozen turkey at the Commissary. I paid $ .79 per pound at a grocery store for a name brand turkey!
Bring back demoing in the commissary. I used to demo fresh fruits in the commissary. I did demonstrations in the Moody Air Force Commissary for four years until they switch companies. I would love to come back and demo some of the new products they have coming out from different companies.
I really enjoyed the demonstrations and talking with the customers in the store.
More sampling will caused the customers to buy it, if they can sample it.
I would love to see the online shopping started at my commissary, Scott Air Force Base.
Also, it would be nice if on occasion the commissaries would offer a double coupon day. I love using my coupons! 🙂
Some of my favorite items to purchase at commissary are no longer carried. Can we get advanced warning when you reduce the number of items? Example: larger container of Natural Jiff Peanut butter, Land of Lakes hot chocolate, have been eliminated. Now I can’t find these items anywhere off base either!
If they have those little kid carts at our commissary it will be a disaster. There’s not enough room to walk as it is.
No GMOs,, no injected meats, better labeling more organics. less processed and salt and sugar free. and food as recommended by the medical staff at a VAMC, .four weight loss and diabetes.
Would like to see more self-serve registers. There’s always long lines. Not that I’m tight, but paying a tip to bag and take my groceries to my car adds up and the whole purpose I shop at the commissary is to SAVE.
The commissary at NAS, Meridian is closed on Sundays and Mondays and I can live with that, I guess, but there are changes I would love to see.
1) More organic items.
2) More coupons on the shelf or at the front of the store. This commissary used to have TONS of coupons but in the last two years, not so much. Do they even get them? Where do they go? Are they selling them on Ebay or Craigslist????
3) Stop closing at 6 every day. Stay open at least until 7.
I would love to see the exit door fixed (broken for over 2-3 years) at Pearl Harbor commissary.
There used to be a lot of vendors handing out coupons or coupons on the shelves with the products. This is very rare today, but with prices rising its all the more important have those coupons.
Check out like at Walmart – do it your self. Baggers are not necessary except for a few for the sick,lame or lazy.
After reading all the suggestions that I would like to see in the commissary I guess organic foods, longer store hours and coffee shop, but then when you add these things to the commissary that means more expense in the long run. The commissary was designed to help the service members and their families. I do know I could find some things cheaper at other places, but these cheaper prices are on generic brands and with so many stores a few brand name items on sale so they can lure you into the store. For me I live in the Hampton Roads area and I to thought the commissary was not worth my time, but have looking around at some of the local stores the commissary is still cheaper by at least 10% or more and yes I have drive a whole 10 minutes to get to my commissary compared others who are walking distance away.
For me I like to pick out my things myself especially fruits, vegetables and meats so online ordering and curbside delivery would not work for me.
The Commissary System must become more efficient or Congress will begin eliminating the benefits. First, lets get rid of the fresh fish counter and the deli. They are underused and not cost effective compared to private sources. Next, lobby Congress to let the Commissary System buy non-name brands rather than having to buy only from sources that are available CONUS wide. For efficiency, also prepackage fruits and vegetables like Aldi’s. Pricing for many items such as dairy needs to get more competitive. Milk for example is 15% higher than private alternatives. We all like the Commissary benefits but anything can be improved. Thanks in advance. Ron Larson
love to see made in America items. It is hard sometimes to find and read all the labels to see where items were made for them to have their own space would be great.
I would like to see a marginal increase in surcharge, baggers screened and included as some kind of employee and given some kind of official pay rather than the undignified process currently used. It is hard for a man my age to be working for “tips” from another man my age. I don’t mind helping I don’t mind giving I don’t mind paying a little extra for the dignity of work. But I would like to see the dignity of those who need the extra work lifted up as well. Instead of trying to drag others down in order to lift oneself up, how about lifting everyone (of the 99%) up (instead of building walls, cutting assistance, dismantling helpful health programs) and seeing how much better that works?
I would like to see free bagging. Other grocery stores do not require tipping baggers. By the time the surcharge is added and the baggers, I’m not sure that it is any better than other grocery stores. Half the time the self-checkout are down, currently produce is not allowed in the self-checkouts. It is difficult to shop because the aisles are too narrow for one to step back and view the products on the shelves. Shoppers pass back and forth and the entire experience can be stressful. Also, parking is terrible — I think the commissary is a business and there should not be any kind of reserved parking — only for handicapped! The commissary at Scott AFB is losing business because of the parking situation.
I would like to see a British foods section equivalent to the sections for European (German primarily), Eastern, and Hispanic foods. I am speaking primarily of Stateside commissaries. Sometimes there seems to be a problem with keeping the shelves/fixtures stocked and the prices nowadays are not as advantageous as they once were, but, overall, I think the Stateside commissaries (specifically, the Mayport and Jacksonville NAS ones) do an outstanding job.
Believe me, you can’t feed a family of 5 for less than $25 or $30 a meal, in the states either. We don’t live near a Commissary, so shop local for parishables. If it wasn’t for Aldi, we wouldn’t be able to feed a family of 2 for $25 or $30 a meal. We make a trip out to the commissary about once every 2 months to stock up as best we can. It is worth the trip.
1. Products that aren’t so close to their sell-by or use-by dates. This is especially true of milk. I can routinely get a half-gallon of milk off base for $0.50 less than in the commissary, and the date is always several days later than the best the commissary can offer.
2. Managers need to keep a better eye on product availability. The empty shelves we often see are infuriating and inexcusable, especially stateside. You always see managers walking through the aisles, but I have to wonder what they’re really doing.
3. Competent baggers. I wish I had a nickel for every time I have given a bagger a generous tip, only to get home and find an item I purchased smashed because of careless bagging. It takes time to identify the conscientious baggers.
4. Courteous cashiers. There used to be a cashier at Davis-Monthan AFB who would treat any customer using coupons like absolute dirt. Repeated complaints by myself and other customers fell on deaf ears. (Thankfully, this cashier retired, but she was a legend at D-M).
I’m with you on the incompetent baggers. I use the self check out, but more times than not both(we only have 2 at MCX Miramar California) are out of service and it’s so annoying. After complaining to Customer Service they suggested to tell the baggers to step aside that I will bag – that would work if the baggers actually spoke English. I’ve given up on the tipping.
I shop at the Oceana Commissary and my wsh would be that they would make sure that the temp inside would be be set to a comfortable temperature. It’s so hot inside sometime you are sweating.
We need a specific area in the store with more options that are gluten free for those of us with Celiac’s disease. Thank you!
As an elderly lady who has to carry all my groceries in the house, I prefer the plastic bags as they are easier than the paper. Paper bags have to be carried up in your arms where as the plastic ones can be carried just like your handbag. And when you have about 20 bags, it is too costly to buy those cute little bags of cloth.
The cashiers need to be more friendly and not treat the customers as an enemy in general or if they say the price is wrong. If you shop at Publix most are very friendly and polite and rate a 9 out of 10 rating. The cashiers at the commissary treat the customers as bothersome. At my commissary they wonder why the self checkout line is full and the express and main lines half full. My reason is I don’t mess up my order(prices, coupons, double rings etc) and I don’t have to bother them. I rate the commissary cashiers as a low 1 out of 10, just because one was friendly one time but still messed up the order. This costs them (the cashiers or the commissary nothing, but makes all the difference between a pleasant or unpleasant shopping experience)
Definitely wider aisles, I get cart road rage, aisles so small. On site store daycare would be awesome, I am always stuck bringing my kids, this would make experience so much better and for everyone else.
I would like to be able to pre-order from the deli to eliminate long wait time.
My commissary has a TV and a small table with little chairs in the produce section for children. The problem is it’s never on and hunting down someone to turn it on takes too much time. I gotta get in and out before a meltdown. And playing hide and seek with the employees only increases the chances of it happening.
As someone with celiac disease, I appreciate all the gluten free options the commissary has; however they don’t stock them well. The entire aisle may be fully stocked, but the gluten free pasta is completely gone. Also even though the commissary has a great gluten free selection, I’d still like to see more options, especially during the holidays. Things like cornbread stuffing mix, French fried onions, and graham cracker crumbs would make life so much nicer.
Those stupid spaceship carts…no, just no. They are so difficult to maneuver and push, especially when fully loaded with groceries. If you want to make it harder to get down the aisles, sure supply more of those ridiculous carts. If you are trying to clear up the aisles, then get rid of the ones you already have.
The whole idea of a Commassary on base is for the convience & to help the servicemembers save money! I used to be able to save money & shopped exclusevely at the commissary, then they had to be self sufficient & it all changed! There is no reason to get snotty about telling someone that wants to save money to go to another store if I want to purchase generic products!