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FORT LEE, Va. – From New York to Washington, military service members and retirees are enjoying commissary savings in places far from a commissary through the Guard/Reserve On-site Sales program run by the Defense Commissary Agency.
“We’re bringing the commissary benefit to authorized patrons who don’t live near a commissary thanks to the cooperation between our stores and Guard and Reserve units across the country,” said Willie Watkins, the agency’s e-commerce chief who oversees the program.
Here are some quick facts:
• Begun in 2008, more than 785 sales events have been held resulting in total sales exceeding $44 million, saving customers more than $19.5 million on their grocery bills
• It’s a cooperative effort. Guard and Reserve units and commissary store directors work together to determine sale locations and dates
• The sales, which average two to three days, are open to any commissary authorized shopper – not just members of the sponsoring unit
• Sales feature a wide variety of commissary products largely determined by shopper preferences at each location
• DeCA’s website lists sales locations and dates and provides contacts for more information on particular sales (http://www.commissaries.com/guard_reserve_sales.cfm)
So far this fiscal year, 20 sales have been held at locations ranging from Rome, New York; Yakima, Washington; Houston, Texas; and Homestead, Florida. Over 25 more potential events are on the planning calendar through September.
Each event requires extensive logistical planning and coordination between the hosting commissary, sponsoring military unit and commissary vendors. Product is trucked to a location and set up for sale; customers shop and pay for their purchases much like they would at a commissary. Products offered are priced at the same level of savings customers would find in a regular commissary.
Item selection is largely determined by what customers want, and planners draw on results of previous sales to refine their product assortments. Because of that, sales can possibly feature fresh fruits and vegetables, a selection of fresh meat, frozen and chill items and some even offer deli and bakery items. Products are offered in sizes from individual to club packs and cases; customers can buy the size that suits their needs.
“It’s a team effort between our stores, military units and industry partners, and the large turnout of appreciative customers over the years shows how much people value their commissary benefit,” Watkins said.
That’s a sentiment echoed by Air Force Master Sgt. Dylan Matolka, who has been involved in organizing three sales held in Rome, New York, at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The Fort Drum Commissary, about an hour and a half drive away from Rome, makes the events possible.
“The sales have made a positive impact on the morale and standard of living for us here,” Matolka said. “It’s an important service and greatly appreciated.”
-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.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2015 12:26 |
| Story ID: | 163781 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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