Commissary offers savings to military families

By Barbara L. Sellers, Northwest Guardian

A true benefit is something that is given to Soldiers and their families at the lowest possible cost, said Gene Lantz, director of the Fort Lewis Commissary.

“The commissary is a true benefit because that’s what we do here,” he said.

Defense Commissary Agency stores are able to offer products at cost because its employees are paid by appropriated funds from Congress.

“Otherwise, we could not do what we do,” he said.

To keep customers happy and pass on even greater savings, the commissary also has many special sales — like the recent Farmer’s Market, seafood road shows and caselot sales.

“We have many sidewalk sales, too,” said Janet Landon, store manager. “Anytime we are able to get an extra good deal, we pass it on to our customers.”

Additionally, the Fort Lewis commissary recently held a special event for single Soldiers at the Wilson Sports and Fitness Center on North Fort Lewis to make it easy for them to take advantage of their commissary benefit.

“Some of the Soldiers on North Fort Lewis don’t have vehicles, so we basically brought the commissary to them,” Landon said. “We mostly brought items we knew they could use in the barracks — like sodas, snacks and microwaveable dinners.” Landon said another single Soldier event at the Wilson Sports and Fitness Center will take place in the near future, so Soldiers on North Fort Lewis should watch for it.

A typical family of four that regularly shops at the commissary will save about $4,000 per year, Lantz said.

“As long as they do the bulk of their shopping here throughout the year, that’s how much money our customers will save,” he said. “They will save at least 30 percent, and sometimes even more.”

Baby formula, health and beauty aids, vitamins and beef products are some items where customers often see the greatest cost savings, Lantz said.

“I tell all of my Soldiers to go to the commissary to shop,” said Staff Sgt. Cynthia Perrier, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. “I just got a new Soldier who lives in Puyallup and I told him to go here to shop, too.”

Although Perrier lives in Lacey, she said she always shops at the commissary.

“I can come here after 5 p.m. when I get off duty and then I don’t have to make an extra trip,” she said. “Even with the high cost of gas, I still drive to post. In fact, I refuse to buy milk or ice cream anywhere else because it costs so much less here.” Sgt. 1st Class Jack Anthony, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, and his wife Nancy, said they noticed they mostly save money on sodas, meat products and canned goods.

“When the commissary has those caselot sales, that’s when we save the most money,” Anthony said. “We really like that.” Christiane Chapin, who comes from Germany, said the Fort Lewis commissary has an excellent meat department. “I can order what I like and the quality is very good,” she said. “I can get my favorite German cuts of meat here, like roulade, and that’s something that I cannot find anywhere else.”

Chapin also finds many other items she likes, such as German cookies, coffees, chocolate, jams and jellies.

“The best thing about shopping at the commissary is the overall price savings for staples,” said Retired Lt. Col. Bill Hislop. “That’s why we come here.”

Sherie Milosevic, who has been shopping at the commissary for three years, said she saves a lot of money on both meat products and produce.

“I think the produce products I get here are better, too,” she said. “They are always very crisp when I cut into them.” A customer for 25-plus years had a different reason for shopping at the commissary.

“I mostly shop here because of the people,” said Doe Paul. “Whenever I need to find something, they are always more than willing to help.”

When asked about the money she saves at the commissary, Paul simply said, “That goes without saying, I know I save an awful lot.”