Commissaries have sizzling savings on meat

Courtesy Photo | Memorial Day is fast approaching, and authorized patrons who double as backyard grill masters can save big if they buy the meats for their barbecue at the commissary.  

FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

05.12.2016

Story by Kevin Robinson 

Defense Commissary Agency

By Kevin L. Robinson,
DeCA public affairs specialist


Note: To see a graphic on DeCA’s Flickr page related to meat savings, press the “Ctrl” key and click on the photo, or go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/sets/72157668300074245 . To see a video on the agency’s YouTube page related to grilling safety, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwCEj2wfyE . For a video on the commissary’s special promotions from May 9 to 22, go to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fht_PysY6GY .


FORT LEE, Va. – Memorial Day is fast approaching, and authorized patrons who double as backyard grill masters can save big if they buy the meats for their barbecue at the commissary.

“We have tremendous savings on meat items versus the civilian retail market,” said Charlie Dowlen, the Defense Commissary Agency’s category manager for meat. “We have the best deal in town.”

With May being National Barbecue Month, the official grilling season is on. For most military members and their families, the savings draw them to their commissary for meat and other grilling accessories – sauces, condiments, side dishes, aluminum foil, charcoal briquettes and more, Dowlen said.

“We definitely see surges of barbecue-related sales during traditional grilling season,” he said. “Sales for meat in particular can go up 30 or 40 percent.”

For specific promotions related to the grilling season, patrons can go to www.commissaries.com, click on the “Sales Flyer” at the bottom and see discounted prices through May 22. Patrons will also see their stores promoting local sales on top of everyday meat savings, Dowlen added.

Another barbecue-related deal is the 2016 Memorial Day Holiday Coupon booklet, offering savings of more than $17 on in-store processed fresh beef or pork with qualifying purchases. The booklets were developed through a partnership with Kraft, Heinz, Kellogg’s, Frito Lay, Johnsonville and Rice-A-Roni/Pasta Roni. Nearly 180 stateside stores are scheduled to have coupons on hand May 14, 21 and 28. The coupons are good through June 30. Supplies are limited. Check your local commissary for details.

Dowlen said some of the most popular items sold during grilling season are ground beef and hamburger patties, steaks (T-bones, rib eyes, sirloin), baby back and spareribs, and brisket. Patrons looking to save even more on their grill meats should look for forequarter meat such as chuck meat, as well as pork and chicken – chicken legs and thighs are cheaper than breast meat and wings.

“Overall, the commissary benefit provides patrons significant savings versus commercial stores,” Dowlen said. “However, meat savings are off the charts – making it well worth the trip, especially during grilling season.”
-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 about 30 percent 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: 05.12.2016
• Date Posted: 05.16.2016 09:09
• Story ID: 197940
• Location: FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, US