FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY: DOD, DeCA set new records in 2023 for Feds Feed Families donation campaign

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FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual Feds Feed Families campaign, held this year from June 26 through Sept. 29, has ended with over 10 million pounds of goods donated to food banks across the nation, an increase of more than 2.2 million pounds from last year.

Each year, Feds Feed Families encourages employees from across the federal government to donate to stateside food banks and pantries. This is the fourth year that the Department of Defense (DOD) has designated the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) as its overall campaign leader.

Of the 10 million pounds donated, DOD contributed 5.9 million, or 59 percent, an increase of more than 26 percent from 2022. DeCA’s share of DOD’s 5.9 million was 4.1 million pounds, or 69 percent, an increase of more than 28 percent from last year.

“This year’s campaign was successful because of teams working diligently across the DOD and at commissaries,” said Doug Nomura, DeCA and the DOD’s Feds Feed Families chairperson. “With the support of commissary patrons, DOD and DeCA employees, we beat last year’s food donation totals. Great job!”

Participating stateside military installations helped collect items designated as “most needed” by food pantries. Commissary customers and employees in these communities participated in two ways: First, by purchasing needed food for donation while shopping at commissaries, or bringing items from home and placing them in donation bins at the store; and second, by purchasing prepackaged donation bags available in commissaries.

This year, commissary customers purchased an estimated 71,000 bags, totaling approximately $950,000 in groceries. Once collected, local installation officials worked with the commissary to deliver the donations from all installation sources to local food banks.

The demand for donations increased this year as more families across the U.S. struggled with high food costs. According to the USDA, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, are food insecure in the U.S. Many households that experience food insecurity don’t qualify for federal nutrition programs and must visit their local food banks and other food programs for extra support.

“The annual Feds Feed Families campaign remains one of the best ways for commissaries and military families to give back to the communities that host us across the nation,” said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, senior enlisted advisor to DeCA’s director. “The summer months typically see food bank donations fall, and with the lingering costs of the pandemic’s supply disruptions this year, a little help can go a long way.”

-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.