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:        58-20                                                                                                                        

Date:                              July 16, 2020

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

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

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Commissary customers find healthy fresh fruits, vegetables thanks to resilient supply chain

By Kevin L. Robinson,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: To read this release online, go to the DeCA website.

FORT LEE, Va. – Commissary produce personnel and industry partners are working through challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the military stores are well-stocked with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For service members and their families, this means continued access to the nutritious fruits and vegetables needed for their daily meals, said Deborah Harris, registered dietitian and health and wellness program manager for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).

“One thing that many may not know about our commissary produce is that we work really hard with our produce distributors to procure local fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible,” Harris said. “We support local investments to strengthen local communities while reducing our carbon footprint with less food miles.”

Now that summer is here, commissary customers can find nutrient-dense fresh produce by shopping for varieties – fresh, canned or frozen – that have no added sugar, sodium, and are low in fat.

“Fresh produce, because it hasn’t undergone any processing, is a sure bet, as nothing has been added,” Harris said. “A great way to get kids to increase their fruit and vegetable intake is to let them choose an item in our produce section on their own and then help you prepare the item for a snack or meal. We have a great selection of dietitian-approved recipes on our website, www.commissaries.com.”

The nutritional value of produce is reinforced by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a reference produced by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These guidelines recommend fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy eating pattern. According to the MyPlate food guidance system, Americans should make half their plate fruits and vegetables for most meals, Harris said.

“A diet high in fruits and vegetables provides key vitamins and minerals to ward off chronic disease and keep your immune system strong,” she added. “Also, because they tend to be lower in calories than other food groups, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is a waistline-friendly strategy.”

Working through COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 on commissaries is visible to customers, such as plexiglass shields, disinfecting carts, handwashing stations, social distancing tape on floors, and staff wearing masks. The adjustments for produce departments were less visible. Unprecedented shopping trends pressed store teams, prompting managers to forecast orders well in advance to obtain sufficient quantities of high-demand items, said Mike Pfister, chief of the perishable division for DeCA’s Store Operations Group.

 “Produce is highly perishable and not mass produced in a factory; it is grown, harvested, processed, and then shipped to locations for display,” Pfister said. “A lot of time goes into maintaining a produce department as well as the logistical planning to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for our customers, along with dealing with so many other variables such as weather, insects, contaminates/diseases and workforce availability.”

Teamwork and communication between the commissaries and their headquarters support is crucial, Pfister said, to address concerns with produce suppliers, trucking companies, contracting issues, installation access restrictions and adjustments to delivery times. 

“Our store produce departments have done a fantastic job in this unprecedented time, providing great customer service,” he said. “Our teams are continuously putting the mission of supporting military communities first.”

Partnering with industry

In the best of times, commissaries work closely with their industry partners to supply the products customers want. COVID-19 put that relationship to a test no one had anticipated, said Bridget Bennett, produce category manager for the agency’s sales directorate.

“Daily communications with all of our produce suppliers became critical,” Bennett said. “With the initial panic buying, the suppliers were caught off guard as we all were. Order quantities increased 50 percent on many items, and they couldn’t get enough product into the warehouse as quickly as it was being depleted.

“Items we would normally sell gave way to larger packs of hardier items such as citrus, apples, potatoes and carrots,” she said. “In some instances the stores would have to receive whatever they could to supply the customers with product. When personnel in the packing houses grew thin and the current supply was depleted, the stores had extra bulk on hand until the packers could catch up.”

Because of the virus, growers and packers faced a shrinking market, Bennett said. Food service suppliers catering to restaurants, theme parks, cruise lines and schools suddenly found themselves without buyers. The fields that supported those sectors couldn’t be harvested and were subsequently plowed under. Some farms went bankrupt, and processing plants reduced their products down to a core list of items, discontinuing some ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables and packaged salads.

However, going into the summer, most produce availability is returning to normal, Bennett said. One notable exception would be corn, which at the moment, is in very limited supply. “Produce is in peak season for summer fruits and vegetables, and commissary shoppers are hungry for fresh cherries, watermelon, cantaloupes, peaches, squash, tomatoes, corn and all the other goodies – too many to mention.”

From the farm to the commissary shelf: It’s a supply line that cannot be taken for granted, Harris said.

“I have personally been in the fields of our American farmers and have seen the product that is being grown for our military families,” she said. “One thing that is never lost on me is the pride the farmers feel in knowing that they are supporting our nation’s greatest assets, members of our military community.”

-DeCA-

If it  has been a while since you visited the Defense Commissary Agencie’s (DeCA) Website make the time to check it out. There is a wealth of information that can save you time and money during your next shopping visit to your local commissary. Having a game plan on your next visit and understanding how to maneuver through the aisles will make your visit run smoothly.

“Often taking some time to explore your commissary can be beneficial – to see what new products are on the shelves or taking time to talk to department managers,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, DeCA’s senior enlisted advisor to the agency director. “But other times you really need to get in and get out quickly. Using these tips will help you efficiently whiz around the store and get all your weekly shopping done in no time at all.”

Here are some tips from DeCA on utilizing the commissary website that will help you plan and shop for a week’s worth of meals:

• See What is On Sale – Before planning your meals for the week visit the Rewards and Savings tab on the website and look up the Sales Flyer (temporarily suspended due to COVID-19), coupons and promotions to see what are good deals. Under current promotions on that tab, the meat department offers Meat Power Boxes. There are four types and save an additional 25-30%. They can also help you plan your meal around this key ingredient.
• Find the Perfect Recipe – Visit the Recipe Tab on the commissary website for some great ideas. There are healthy recipes, kid-friendly and even a few chef’s recipes. You can also search by ingredient which is great if you plan to purchase a Meat Power Box. Just select beef and there are 22 recipes available. Choose the ones you like and write on your plan in the next step.
• Create a Written Plan – The DeCA website offers a two page Weekly Meal Plan Worksheet that offers a master plan for a weeks’ worth of meals. I find this worksheet extremely helpful planning meals by following the steps. First the worksheet offers a place to write down three meals per day for a whole week and the necessary ingredients. Next check what ingredients you have already and cross off from the ingredient list. Then review ingredients and write the brand name down for what is on sale or you have a coupon for. On page two of the worksheet you can write down your ingredients based on what aisle they are located at in the commissary.
• Coupons – Coupons offer additional savings but can be time consuming to cut out and organize. The Commissary Reward Card can be picked up on a visit to your local commissary. Register it online and then you can download coupons right to your rewards card. When you check out the clerk will scan your card and it will subtract all the coupons from your card decreasing your costs. You can find more coupons at in your local paper, online and in the commissary at the front entrance and hanging by items throughout the store. Tip: You can only use one coupon per item whether on your card or a paper coupon. Review your coupons on your card because sometimes the paper ones have a higher value. Give your paper coupons to the clerk first so the higher value coupons will ring up. Remove any paper coupons from your stack that have a lower value than on your card.

You can also save money by not shopping when you are hungry as one can purchase items not on your list due to being hungry. You can save time by not shopping during peak hours especially not on pay day or the day before which tends to be super busy. Plan to visit on a day you aren’t in a hurry and get to know the department managers. You can find out which day your favorite items are delivered to the store. They can also give you heads up on upcoming sales.

DeCA is currently testing a new program called CLICK2GO. It is similar as to the curb side pickup that  is offered at civilian grocery and retail stores. Order online and the commissary staff will prepare your order and load it up when you arrive for pick up. You can use coupons and your rewards card and pay when you arrive. Currently CLICK2GO is available at Fort Belvoir, Fort Eustis, Naval Air Station Oceana and Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, and McGuire Air Force Base at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. More locations are coming. Keep checking back online for new locations.

So next time you are heading to the commissary take a little extra time to plan. It will save you time and money.

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

Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30 and Tornado Season is April to July.  Each year hurricanes and tornados wreak havoc across the country. For many military families it may be the first time you have lived in an area affected by these storms. It is important to be prepared with emergency supplies. Both your local commissaries and military exchanges are prepared to help you.

Service members and their families can plan for that disruption by using their commissary benefit to purchase emergency supplies, said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, the Defense Commissary Agency’s senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director.

“When the storm comes and all of a sudden you have no electricity, or you cannot get to the grocery store, which may also be closed – what’s your plan?” O’Neal said. “Before a bad day gets even worse, think ahead and save money as you use your commissary to help prepare for that emergency event.”

This year is scheduled to be a more average season but 2019 saw around 1500 tornadoes, one of the most active seasons on record and 18 named storms with six becoming hurricanes according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Tornadoes often occur with little time to prepare and although you have more notice with a hurricane, long lines and last minute rushes to purchase emergency supplies can leave you without what you need.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is offering a severe weather promotional package from April through October 31. The package includes discounts on these items: 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 items may vary from store to store.

“Throughout the year we advise our customers to be ready for any emergency, natural or manmade,” O’Neal said. “Even with the COVID-19 outbreak, we still want our customers to be prepared. However, regardless of the situation, we recommend that they calmly purchase what they need and avoid any panic buying to ensure products are available for others in their communities.”

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) also has a plan to support military shoppers during storm season. During the 2019 storm season AAFES shipped almost 150,000 emergency supplies to stores up and down the East coast for Hurricane Dorian allowing stores to stay open. “The Exchange is all in to serve, especially during disasters,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Should our stores be affected by a hurricane, we have internal processes in place and the experience to ensure water, batteries, flashlights, generators and other critical supplies are pushed to areas they are most needed.”

There is an Exchange Disaster Support Group (DSG) which reviews plans and guidance before each storm season. If a storm hits, mobile field exchanges (MFEs) are ready to deploy to support military first responders. Each MFE is a 53-foot trailer with emergency supplies, toiletries, snacks and drinks. “No other retailer does what the Exchange does,” Reyes said. “The Exchange stands ready to provide a ray of sunshine in the wake of a natural disaster and bring a bit of comfort and normalcy to an otherwise dire situation.”

Suggested Supplies for an Emergency Kit

Includes recommendations both for an evacuation or remaining at home. When preparing, plan for a three-day supply for evacuation and two-weeks if you are remaining at home. Think in terms of no running water or electricity.

• 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
• Writing utensils – pens, pencils (manual pencil sharpeners), markers
• 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
• Toiletries – personal hygiene items and moist wipes
• Pet care items – food, water, muzzle, leash, carrier, medications, medical records, and identification and immunization tags
• Lighting accessories – flashlights, 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
  
  

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

Going grocery shopping used to be an escape for me, a little time to myself. I could wander the aisles, looking at different options and making comparisons before choosing what I wanted most. Now, I’m doing quick commissary shopping trips, thanks to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Quick Commissary Shopping Tips for the Pandemic

Having to cut my weekly shopping time down to almost nothing means that I’ve gotten really good, really fast at getting just what I need. I’m in an out of the store lickety-split!

Use my quick commissary shopping tips for the pandemic to help make your next grocery run extra speedy!

Meal Plan Like’s It’s Your Job

Everyone is supposed to be mostly sticking close to home, only venturing out for necessary trips. To help your family stick to this rule, it’s important to buy exactly what you need in bulk.

My family has long been meal planners. It’s one of my most essential ways to survive deployments and being a family with two working parents. Meal planning is also a great cost saving strategy!

Right now, it helps me to make sure that I’m getting exactly what I need to make 1-2 weeks of meals for my family of four.

I write down exactly what we’ll have for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks, for two weeks at a time. Then I cross-check ingredients between the recipe and my pantry. Whatever I don’t have, goes on the list.

Plan Around Pantry Staples & Perishable Foods

Some things just stick around longer while others need to be eaten faster. Which means that my meal plans reflect the longevity of the items I’m buying.

At the start of a two week period, I’m more likely to have things like mushrooms, berries or greens in rotation. By the end of the menu, we’re eating a lot more beans and rice.

As you’re meal planning, make sure to move through menus that feature more perishable foods to less perishable foods. It will help you to avoid a last minute dash to the store for just that one thing.

Know Your Aisles

Because he works on base, my husband has actually been the one doing a bulk of the shopping right now. And he’s learned where things are pretty quickly in just a few trips!

Prior to the pandemic, I was the designated shopper. Mostly because I like to have control over things, but also because I know where things are located. Plus, I keep a secondary running shopping list in my head of things that would be nice to have or that we’re almost out of at home.

As my husband has learned where things are located, his shopping trips are getting much faster. Knowing where things are helps him to reorganize his list so that he’s not criss-crossing the commissary multiple times.

Instead, he can start in produce and finish at the deli without going back to the baking aisle.

Our major tip is to draw a diagram of the store or even just create a list of the aisles. Put them into the correct order as much as possible and describe what you might find there. Take a picture of your diagram or put it up somewhere you can see when you make your list.

Know the Rules of Shopping

Right now, we’re facing shortages in a few areas. Toilet paper, cleaning supplies and meat are just a few of the things that we either can’t buy or are limited in buying.

For example, the commissary is limiting how much fresh meat each shopper or family can buy. Instead of eating meat every night, we’ve switched to a more plant-based diet out of necessity.

As you’re waiting to enter the store, check out any posted signs to get an update on purchase limits. Before you load items into your cart, check around you for more signs, just in case.

Buy in Bulk When Possible

We eat a lot of beans, rice and pasta. They’re shelf stable and my kids enjoy them. But I don’t want to be buying these staple foods every single week.

Instead, I’ve been watching for coupons and sales. I try to match those up with our next major shopping trip. Then I buy mass quantities of our favorite pantry items.

Buying in bulk allows us to buy certain things once a month or once every few months. Plus, it can be a money saver since larger quantities of items often have a lower per unit price. If you’re unsure, check the shelf label and look for the per unit pricing.

While bulk buying is great, it’s also important to be considerate of others. We’re all searching for a lot of the same essentials. Instead of wiping out the entire shelf of toilet paper, consider purchasing just what you need and leaving products for the next person.

Look But Don’t Touch

We’re all really conscious of germs right now. The COVID-19 virus can linger on solid surfaces for quite a while, too.

Which makes it more important than ever that we commit to purchases 100%. Before you pick up an item, consider if you really want that particular container.

Right now, it’s encouraged that we only touch products that we are ready to purchase. If you have concerns about ingredients and can’t quickly pull up the info on your phone, it might be better to walk away.

We’re sticking to items and brands we already know. For us, it means shopping time is reduced since we’re not shuffling through all the different varieties to find exactly what we want.

What are your best tips to get through the commissary super quickly? Sound off in the comments!

DeCA Corporate Communications

May 4, 2020

FORT LEE, Va. – On May 8, the Defense Commissary Agency will begin daily health screenings of anyone who works in commissaries – including employees, baggers and affiliated contractors – before they start their shifts.

Commissaries will initially conduct the screenings with a questionnaire that focuses on any visible symptoms related to COVID-19, and traces their travel history as well as potential connections with anyone affected by the virus.

As stores receive their infrared thermometers, the screening will include temperature checks. If a temperature check determines anyone is a potential risk, they will be directed to go home and contact their health care provider. They can return to work once they have no signs of a fever or illness, and they will be screened again.

“Military resale is good at evolving and adapting, and screening the people who work in our stores is the first step in a new normal that helps reduce the risk of transmission for everyone,” said Rear Adm. (retired) Robert J. Bianchi, DOD Special Assistant for Commissary Operations. “We should expect to operate like this for the foreseeable future.”

Bianchi, who is also the CEO of the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), said his Navy Exchange stores are also preparing to implement these procedures for the personnel working in their facilities.  

“There are probably going to be many commercial businesses that start implementing temperature checks for employees and wearing of face coverings, so this should be no surprise to anyone as they may experience this in many aspects of their personal lives,” he said.

The employee health screenings are the latest in a series of safety measures commissaries have implemented:

• Anyone (including customers) entering a store must wear a face covering
• Stores have plexiglass sneeze shields in all regular checkout lanes
• Commissary personnel wipe down checkout areas, product display cases, restrooms and shopping carts with disinfectant, and practice routine hand washing and other basic sanitation measures
• Touchless credit card processing eliminates the need for the customer to sign
• Customers scan their own ID cards so cashiers can provide them touchless transactions
• Reusable bag usage has been banned
• Only authorized customers – this includes disabled veterans with VHIC cards – will be able to enter a commissary. Visitors will no longer be allowed to accompany authorized customers and a 100% ID check is in place
• DeCA canceled special events such as the spring sidewalk sales, in-store product demonstrations (including DeCA’s free coffee program), group tours, vendor-sponsored events and other events to discourage group gatherings
• Commissaries are working with installation leadership and public health personnel to implement risk reduction practices such as designated store hours for various patron groups, and limiting the number of patrons in the store.

Commissary customers should continue to refer to the federal government’s response to coronavirus, COVID-19 website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Coronavirus site for updates and guidance regarding this virus. Updates related to the commissaries can be found on DeCA’s Coronavirus page.

-DeCA-

We Salute You!

To all of our dedicated commissary employees working hard to keep the commissaries open and operating in order to deliver the commissary benefit in 240 stores worldwide, we thank you!

 Your hard work and dedication prove that you too are among the many unspoken heroes to emerge during these unprecedented times. Our servicemembers and their families rely on your commitment to serve by keeping our commissaries functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Your mission is critical and like the men and women you serve, your expertise and devotion has not gone unnoticed.

 We know that you too are on the front lines. Helping our military community replenish and restock their homes with groceries and supplies is mission critical. These times are unparalleled, but the work you have done and continue to do will not go unrecognized.

So today, we salute you!  

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) recently announced the cancellation of the annual Spring Sidewalk Sales as well as other special events in the wake of COVID-19 (also known as the Coronavirus) concerns. “The cancellation of these events is due to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our employees, customers and industry partners,” said Tracie Russ, DeCA’s director of sales.

DeCa has also implemented a rationing system. In-Store signage will indicate if an item is rationed and what the allowable quantity is. You also won’t be able to place a special order on these items. So no gaming the system and special ordering toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Commissary Store Directors decide locally which items are limited based on availability. Likely items include bottled water, spray disinfectant, baby wipes/sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, rice and bleach.

Central distribution centers, the central meat processing plant and DeCA stores are all designated mission-critical in DOD’s response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic according to Virginia S. Penrod, acting assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. “”Providing for the care and feeding of our military members and families is a critical requirement that must be accomplished at all health protection condition levels,” she announced.

Grocery stores tend to have a high level of sanitation due to food safety concerns and with the outbreak your Commissaries are working hard to keep you safe. Commissary customers worried about whether or not it’s safe to shop in the store shouldn’t be, said Army Lt. Col. Angela Parham, DeCA director of health and safety. “We follow the highest standards of DOD health protection in our stores,” she said. “This means we are always vigilant to ensure our workforce follows the strictest precautionary measures including routine hand washing and other basic sanitation measures to avoid spreading germs.”

“Our commissaries undergo daily sanitizing, disinfecting and cleaning regimens tailored to protect our customers’ health,” Parham added. “These routine measures used by food establishments to prevent ordinary foodborne illness also work to keep viruses from spreading and help keep customers and employees from getting sick.”

Here are other changes DeCA has made to ensure the health and safety of employees and patrons.

• commissary cashiers will no longer handle patron ID cards. Instead, customers will be asked to scan their own ID; cashiers may use the handheld scanner if available.
• 100% I.D. card checks at the entrance of the store. Children under 10 with their parents don’t have to have an ID Card.
• Guests/Visitors will no longer be allowed to accompany patrons at the commissary.
• designated ‘COVID-19 Vulnerable’ hours – check your local commissary for hours
• No ‘Early Bird’ shopping hours.
• As an additional precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic, the commissary will discontinue the use of reusable shopping bags.

When shopping the commissary in the next few weeks, make sure to allow extra time for I.D. checks and slower moving lines with social distancing. Don’t stress the system by shopping only for what you typically need and be conscious of your fellow patrons by not clearing the shelves of a select item.

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

An oft misunderstood aspect of shopping at your local commissary is the 5 percent surcharge added to your total when you check out. Many question this fee and think it adds to their cost making the commissary not as good a deal. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) calculations include applicable taxes in commercial grocery store prices and surcharge in commissary prices. Average savings over off base grocery store vary on your location but in 2019 range from 20% or more in stateside commissaries to 35.1% in Alaska and Hawaii and 42.2% overseas. The average savings from all commissaries is 25.6%. So even with the surcharge you can save quite a bit shopping at the commissary.

According to a recent article in the Military Times by Karen Jowers, the commissary surcharge could be going away per a Pentagon proposal. It is a complicated because the commissary surcharge is mandated by law and is used to for construction and maintenance of facilities. A few surcharge facts from DeCA:

• The 5 percent surcharge added to every commissary customer’s receipt – goes directly back into the benefit, paying for the modernization and replacement of stores. It’s the funding source for maintenance and repairs, store equipment and store-level information technology systems, such as checkouts.
• It is not a tax. Surcharge dollars go back into stores, paying for the construction and modernization. In fiscal 2018, the surcharge budget is nearly $271 million.
• The surcharge has been set at 5 percent since 1983, and cannot be changed without congressional approval.
• The surcharge’s history traces back to 1879 and features various applications and rates through the years leading up to 1983. Through the years, thanks to the surcharge, patrons have a direct role in sustaining and enhancing their commissary benefit.

According to Jowers, the Pentagon proposal to do away with the surcharge is part of draft legislation to change the law.  It appears the purpose is to allow the money currently raised by the surcharge to be used for the commissaries operating fund and to do away with the surcharge fund. This would take money for basically reserved for a building fund and move it into day to day operations of the commissary saving money on the Pentagon budget for commissaries.

She interviewed Kelly Hruska, Director of Government Relations for the National Military Family Association who voiced concerns. “I have a lot of questions. I still don’t understand how the variable pricing will be adjusted to make up for loss of surcharge.” I’d like to understand where the proposal came from, and the purpose of the proposal. I don’t know how this would help the customer. You’ll be raising shelf prices that won’t benefit customers. Since customers compare prices — if the commissary price is higher, they’ll shop elsewhere.”

My concern is what happens if money is moved out of the surcharge fund. What will pay for the maintenance and improvement of our commissaries? Also, if there is no surcharge will prices go up at the commissary?

Currently there is no information on this new proposal on the DeCA website. When information on changes to our benefits leak it is a good thing because it allows us to advocate for our benefits with Congress. The legislature has ruled against Pentagon requests in the past so if a benefit is important to you make sure to write your Congressional representatives to let them know.

‘Tis the season for colds, flu and generally feeling run down. While loading up on all the meds seems like a great course of action, sometimes whipping up a homemade remedy is just what the doctor ordered.

Take Care of Your Cold with Commissary- Sourced DIY Recipes

All you need to DIY your own at-home treatments starts with a trip to the commissary.

Feel Better, No Meds Needed

Start your day off with a little extra pep in your step, or just getting back to feeling semi-normal again.

Grab your favorite brand of eucalyptus or tea tree soap and hop in the shower. Johnson’s Soothing Vapor Bath for Babies is also great for adults, too. Lather up and breath deeply.

The steam from the shower combined with the scent of the soap will help to open your sinuses. You’ll feel better!

If you have more time, or you’re taking a sick day, draw a nice, hot detox bath. Add in some Epsom salts, essential oils and more of your preferred cold-remedy bath gel. Close the bathroom door to trap the steam and soak away your cares, plus also hopefully your cold.

If you don’t have time for a soak or a shower, you can set up a steam inhalation kit at home. Boil water and then pour the very hot water into a bowl. Position your nose and mouth over the bowl, draping a towel around your head and the bowl to trap the steam. Close your eyes and inhale deeply.

Everyone remembers the classic smell of Vick’s VapoRub from their childhood. Perhaps wafting off of a grandparent nightly? That go-to grandma cold remedy is still totally legit. Bonus: it comes in more scents than just the classic eucalyptus, too. Slather that on your chest, back and feet. Breath deeply.

At night, steam up your room with a humidifier. You can pick up one at the Commissary. Add a Vick’s humidifier insert for extra soothing effects.

Rest Up to Heal Yourself

The best remedy for winter colds and flu season is to simply rest.

Seriously, take a sick day. Cuddle up on the couch, sip soup and tea (see recipes below). Take a bath. Do nothing.

Healing yourself takes time. Taking a day to do nothing other than rest and heal is essential to getting better.

Plus, your co-workers will thank you for not spreading germs around the office.

Cook Up Your Cold & Flu Remedies!

Grandma was also right about chicken soup being great for a cold. Science has shown that there are real benefits to enjoying your favorite bowl of chicken soup, noodles or rice optional.

Seriously, the recipe you use doesn’t matter. Here’s the one we use:

Ingredients:

• cooked chicken, chunked or shredded
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
• other optional veggies: potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas – literally anything you want to throw in the pot
• 1 carton chicken stock or broth
• oil or butter
• salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage

How to:

1. Heat the oil or butter in a large soup pot, then add the onions and celery. Cook until softened, slightly clear and fragrant.
2. Add the celery, corn and other veggies. Cook for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
3. Add the chicken and garlic, cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth, adding water or another carton of broth to your preference. Add salt, pepper and other spices.
5. Heat until boiling then reduce to a simmer until all veggie are tender. Add noodles if desired.
6. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve piping hot!

Yum!

It’s also important to stay hydrated when you’re feeling poorly. Drinking hot tea can help you to feel better, too! Try our simple recipe, based on the original recipe from The Spruce Eats.

Ingredients:

• 8-10 oz hot water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp fresh or powdered ginger
• 1/2 tsp turmeric

How to:

1. Heat water to boiling.
2. In a mug, combine all other ingredients. Adjust amounts to preference, but a generous amount of honey is recommended.
3. Grate fresh ginger, if needed, and add to the mug.
4. Add the boiling water and stir to combine. Wait until cool enough to drink and enjoy.

Turmeric has been noted for anti-inflammatory properties generally, but not specific to colds. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory as well as being anti-microbial. Honey also has similar properties, plus the added benefit of specifically being good for relieving coughs and sore throats.

Best of all, you can grab all the essential ingredients for all of these at home cold or flu remedies right at your local Commissary! Brave the trip yourself or ask a sympathetic friend to pick up some essentials for you.

What are your tried-and-true DIY cold or flu remedies? Share your wisdom in the comments!

Eating healthy can be hard work, especially if you’re trying to cut down your meat intake. It’s just so yummy! And so easy to cook.

Starting soon, the Commissary will be adding more plant-based meat-replacements in varieties that even the pickiest of kids (or soldiers) can enjoy!

Commissaries Expand Meatless Meat Offerings

Meatless, plant-based proteins are all the rage as many Americans work to cut their animal protein consumption. Moving toward a diet with a higher percentage of plant-based foods can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve your personal health!

Commissaries around the world have been stocking some varieties of plant-based meat products for a few years. Stock has been added based on demand in various locations.

“Many commissaries have long sold vegetarian and plant-based meat products in keeping with consumer demand,” said Tracie Russ, DeCA’s sales director. “But demand has grown for more of these options, and so we’ve expanded our offerings in our worldwide network of stores.”

Now the Commissary is prepared to meet the needs of its customers with more options!

“The demand for these products is through the roof,” said Daniel Clary, DeCA’s meat and seafood category manager. “Whether it’s for health, convenience or taste, our patrons have demonstrated that they want plant-based meat. We are definitely looking at expanding our inventory of meat alternatives to match what our patrons want.”

To meet demand, four new additions, produced by Beyond Meat, will be added to Commissaries worldwide. Look for Beyond Burger, Brat Sausage, Hot Italian Sausage and Plant-Based Ground on shelves near you soon!

“Every month we are seeing double-digit increases in sales; the plant-based products are in very high demand and our stores are excited to be able to offer this stock assortment to their shoppers,” said Andrea Coyle, store operations perishable team member.

These options should be rolling out in the very near future, joining products already on the shelf in many locations.

Allergen-Friendly, Meatless Meat Products

Many are seeking plant-based proteins due to dietary restrictions, like allergies or sensitivities. All of the Beyond Meat options are:

• Certified Kosher
• Vegan
• Non-GMO project verified
• No soy or gluten
• 20 grams of plant protein per serving
• 25 percent less saturated fat than ground beef
• Cholesterol-free

That makes these products a great choice for people who are trying to stick to a strict diet.

 “It’s exciting to see that the commissary is working diligently to increase offerings to meet the multitude of lifestyle and dietary preferences of our military community while saving our patrons money in the process,” said Health and Wellness Program Manager Deborah Harris, MPH, RD, CDE.

Why “Fake” Burgers & Brats?

You might be shaking your head and rolling your eyes, wondering why anyone would willingly eat these “fake” meat replacements. And yes, these items aren’t for everyone.

But they can also help you to have a more balanced diet with increased fiber – something many Americans lack in their diets.

“With an increased focus on the benefit of protein in the diet, plant sources of protein help meet protein needs as well as offer a different nutritional profile than animal sources,” said Harris. “For example, plant-based protein sources also provide fiber, which most Americans lack in their diets.

However, for individuals who need to eat less meat for medical reasons or are choosing to do so as part of a lifestyle shift, having plant-based proteins can be an easier transition.

Using a plant-based protein to use in place of meat allow those making this dietary transition to:

• Cooking familiar recipes
• Eating familiar foods
• Easing resistant family members into the new diet
• Appeasing reluctant or picky eaters
• Sneaking “healthier” foods into typical meals

All of this can make the switch from meat to, well, not meat simpler and more seamless.

How Do You Cook Meatless Meat?

Generally, these plant-based products should cook similarly to the real deal! Throw Beyond Burgers on the grill or cook in a skillet. Same with the sausages and ground “meat” products.

Use these as you would animal-based proteins.

Meatless burgers and sausages can be served at your next BBQ, with all the regular fixings! Serve with buns and all the fixings for a vegan or lower meat feast that everyone can enjoy.

Combine the ground “meat” with bread crumbs and eggs for a vegetarian meatball. Add these on top of pasta and sauce for a delicious, hearty meal.

Other options include:

• Meatloaf
• Chili
• Brats & sauerkraut
• Pasta dishes + sausage
• Burgers
• Casseroles
• Hamburger helper-type sides

Often, these meat-like products are so similar in taste and texture to their real-deal counterparts that it may be challenging to distinguish between meat and not meat.

With demand going through the roof, hurry in soon to ensure that you can snag some Beyond Meat options ASAP.

Have you tried the plant-based “meat” options from the Commissary? What do you think? Sound off in the comments!