Amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Defense Commissary Agency is reassuring its customers and employees that their health and welfare is the commissaries’ top priority.

On Dec. 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Colony created an organized militia that would eventually become today’s National Guard. “From providing aid during disasters, to fighting alongside their brothers and sisters in the active duty and reserve forces, the members of the Army National Guard and the Air Guard have proven to be a valued asset to the safety and security of the United States of America,” said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, senior enlisted advisor to the Defense Commissary Agency director. “We want our customers in the Guard to know we celebrate them every day by delivering the commissary benefit they’ve earned.”

Baiada Poultry Pty Limited is voluntarily recalling their Steggles Frozen Turkey Breast Roast because a packaging error resulted in the presence of undeclared gluten, sulphite and tree nut allergens, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Dec. 3.

Good times and good food go together. To help make the winter holidays cheery and bright in spite of the pandemic, the Defense Commissary Agency is going all out to make cooking meals at home easier and delicious.

Flowers Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling their Bakehouse Mountain White Bread and Everything Bagels because they may contain undeclared gluten allergens, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Dec. 3.

Prairie Farms Dairy is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of their Prairie Farms Chocolate Milk because it may contain egg, an undeclared allergen, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Nov. 29.

Despite the uncertainty of COVID-19, the military community can depend on its commissary to deliver savings and value in a safe environment during the holidays, said the Defense Commissary Agency director’s senior enlisted advisor.

Commissaries are adding digital contactless thermometers and children’s reusable masks to store inventories, announced the Defense Commissary Agency’s (DeCA) director of sales.

Bridget Bennett, supervisory category manager for produce at the Defense Commissary Agency in Fort Lee, Virginia, has been named one of only four winners of the first-ever Retail Merchant Innovation Awards by the Produce Marketing Association, during their annual Fresh Summit, held virtually Oct. 14.

Army Lt. Col. Angela Parham, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of public health and safety, has seen her share of the worst virus outbreaks. During the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Parham deployed to Sierra Leone while serving a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service. There, she talked to family members and friends of Ebola victims, learning all she could about the impact of that horrific disease. Fast forward five years and Parham is with DeCA, helping the agency determine protective measures against COVID-19 for commissaries on installations with different requirements and evolving public health recommendations.

Military commissaries will operate under a holiday schedule beginning Nov. 23, the Defense Commissary Agency announced.

The Coca-Cola Company is voluntarily recalling a specific size of its refrigerated Minute Maid Strawberry Lemonade product due to the potential presence of foreign matter, according to a recall notice from the Defense Commissary Agency’s food safety office sent Nov. 13.

During the holidays, giving and receiving commissary gift cards has never been easier with “open value” cards – the kind that lets you set your own limit up to $300 – now available worldwide in commissaries, and at Navy Exchanges and Army and Air Force Exchanges.

Tanimura & Antle Inc, is voluntarily recalling its packaged single head romaine lettuce product due to potential E. coli contamination, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Nov. 6.

November brings events acknowledging veterans and military families, and sales promotions helping commissary customers save plenty of money as they purchase the products for their Thanksgiving meals.