Extra holiday savings: New private label items extend value for Nov., Dec.
FORT LEE, Va. – New commissary store brands are appearing just in time for holiday savings, said the Defense Commissary Agency’s top enlisted service member.
“The agency’s private label program is one of several we have to help our patrons save even more, especially during the holidays,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, the agency’s senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “We’re adding new commissary store brand items that will make a good deal even better.”
Shoppers can check out commissary store brands for items such as cheeses, broths, vegetables, chicken and shrimp to help in their holiday meal planning. Stores are also increasing healthy snack options with the recent launch of GoPack fruit, cheese and nut packs, said Jennifer Ferrell, DeCA’s private label program manager.
“We’re excited about what’s in store for our patrons during the holidays,” Ferrell said. “This includes party food options such as our cheese cube line and cheese tray items, and more organic options in our stores with Full Circle Market shredded cheeses, string cheese, butter and cream cheeses.
“We are also repackaging a popular ‘TastyBird Chicken’ product to ‘Freedom’s Choice by TastyBird,’ so our patrons can continue to enjoy great, quality chicken at the prices they deserve.”
Commissary store brands are sold under seven names: Freedom’s Choice (food items) and HomeBase (non-food items); along with TopCare (health and beauty), Full Circle Market (natural and organic food options), Tippy Toes (baby products), Flock’s Finest (wild bird food for hopper, tube or platform feeders); and Pure Harmony (high quality pet food that provides grain-free options using meat, poultry or fish as the first ingredient. TopCare, Tippy Toes, Full Circle Market, Flock’s Finest and Pure Harmony are not exclusive to DeCA.
Ferrell said patrons can expect to see more commissary store brand options to help fight the colds and flu as well as a variety of cleaning products including dish detergents, bleach and glass-and-shower cleaners.
Future products include additional bath tissue options, Everything Bagel Spice, canned and bagged coffee, sparkling water, pizza sauce and organic cereal bars.
Since being introduced in the spring of 2017, DeCA has added over 850 commissary store brand items to store shelves, with over 90 more products in development.
As DeCA continues with its roll out of commissary store brands, the agency wants to hear from patrons about the types of products they want in their stores. They can do so by emailing decabrand@deca.mil.
“Shopping in the commissary will always save you plenty versus stores outside the gate,” O’Neal said. “And commissary brands take those everyday savings a bit further.”
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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.