Commissaries offer plenty of March promotions for frozen foods, nutritious meals, snacks for hoops viewing parties

FORT LEE, Va. – March is so full of savings that even the daylight is on the list. For commissary patrons, more daytime means a better view of opportunities to shop for significant discounts on frozen food, snacks and menu items for college basketball playoffs and more.

“There is so much happening at the commissaries this month,” said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales. “Not only can our customers continue to win big with everyday savings, but there are also many great prizes they can win, including TVs, a motorcycle and a chance to have a ProCamp for their community.”

College basketball fans can build their own meal bracket and fill their shopping basket with the commissary’s private label, Freedom’s Choice, for juices and ingredients for a slam-dunk fried rice recipe that goes with chips and dips for that tournament-viewing party. Patrons can also check out the Savings Center for more details and promotions.

With March being National Nutrition Month, patrons can shop their commissary for plenty of nutritious choices, according to DeCA’s Health and Wellness Program Manager Deborah Harris, MPH, RD, CDE (Masters of Public Health, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator).

“Cooking more meals at home is a key strategy to improve the nutrition quality of the diet,” Harris said. “During this month, focus on trying new foods and aim to cook together as a family. Be sure to let your kids help in the kitchen.”  

Harris added that meal planning is one of the best ways to stay on budget especially when there are recipe-specific promotions. Ingredients for the dietitian-approved “Thinking Outside the Box” recipes including classic American goulash and chicken farro, are on sale during the month of March.

Patrons can learn more about the Nutrition Guide Program and Thinking Outside the Box recipes under the Healthy Living link located on the navigation bar of the DeCA website. “A full library of dietitian-approved recipes are available to help plan your meals, improve the nutritional quality of your diet, and get the most out of your commissary benefit,” Harris said. 

The agency reminds customers to visit its new online customer portal, MyCommissary, to manage their online shopping experience. The portal makes it easy to access their Commissary Rewards Card account, see the current sales flyer and place a CLICK2GO curbside pickup order at participating stores.

All users, including current rewards card users, must create a new account on the site to access its features. Your new MyCommissary account can be linked to your Commissary Rewards Card using your existing rewards card number. Once you link your card to the portal, simply click “My Coupons” and then “Go to My Wallet” to access your digital coupons.

March is also National Frozen Food Month, and your commissary is playing an up-tempo game of savings. Look for the basketball-themed displays in the frozen food aisles for more deals on your favorites. 

Plus, throughout the month, m­ilitary commissaries are offering discounts beyond everyday savings, especially in displays at the ends of the aisles, where stores showcase products with extra-low prices. Overseas stores may have substitute events for certain promotional programs. Customers should check with their store managers to verify if and when their stores will be offering the following sales events:

• ProCamps for Kids Competition: Procter & Gamble, in collaboration with ProCamps, is sponsoring football camps for winning bases worldwide. Grand prize winners will receive a free military athletic camp on their installation for up to 150 participants (a value of $195/camper). Additionally, at least one commissary will win a seven-on-seven flag football camp for the installation community. Look for the P&G and ProCamps for Kids displays in your local commissary for details on how to enter and win.
• Indian Motorcycle Sweepstakes: One lucky commissary customer will ride home on a custom Full Throttle Indian® Scout® Bobber Motorcycle. Five first-place winners will also win a Full Throttle Toolbox Fridge. Look for the Full Throttle displays in your local commissary for details on how to enter and win. Event continues through March 31.
• Win a VIP Race Day Experience: Commissary shoppers can enter to win a chance to meet Smithfield #10 car driver Aric Almirola. This grand prize includes a three-day/two-night trip for two to the stock car race of their choice in the continental United States, hotel stay, spending cash, a personal meet-and-greet with Almirola and more. To enter for a chance to win, text “DECA” to short code 797979 using your SMS-enabled cellphone, along with a photo of your receipt from a commissary showing the purchase of any three or more Smithfield brand products in a single transaction during the sweepstakes period. In addition to the grand prize, 15 first-prize winners will each receive one $50 commissary gift card. Look for Smithfield displays at your local commissary. To participate and read the official rules, visit SmithfieldDeCASweeps.com. The sweepstakes run from March 4 to May 5.
• Unilever and its men’s grooming line are official partners of the 2019 NCAA Final Four event! Commissary customers have an opportunity to win over $25,000 during this promotion and a chance to enter and win one of 10 big screen 52” LED TVs in select stores. Look for the Unilever displays in your local commissary for details on how to enter and win. Event runs March 4-15.

“The commissary is a military benefit you’ve earned, so we strive to offer the products you need at the savings you deserve,” Russ said. “We are here to support you through all of the special moments in your life.”

-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, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. 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.