F
Fake Name
Guest
I don't know whether to be sad or glad... but US Military Commissaries are generally better than the
national Supermarkets (Safeway, Giant, etc).
Yes.. there is the fact that the commissary is subsidized, but that doesn't account for the entire
difference. There is somekind of difference that the corporate supermarkets have that I can't pin my
finger on...
Characteristics of the commissary:
1. Freak'in crowded... but that is due primarily to the low prices, secondarily because they dust
any supermarket in the area.
2. Checkout is FAST! It isn't like your corporate place with the slow employees and constant errors
at the checkout that need price checks, managers etc.
3. DIVERSITY in food. There is food from all over the world. I think this is since the military is
very diverse overall.
4. CHEAP. Somewhat due to subsidy... but there is a stunning amount of volume in a commissary. I
think the volume keeps prices down.
5. Freindly employees. It seems that most of them are career employees, not short timers.
6. One way aisles... god I hate that. I went against the flow once and was almost kicked out.
I believe in small govt, so I am disappointed that the private sector can't hold a candle to the
commissary. On the other hand, it's nice to see the govt be better than the private sector at
something.
Yes... the sibsidy is disappointing. But, studies suggest that for the military compensation
package: each dollar subsidized into the commissary, military pay is reduced by 2 dollars. As a
taxpayer, I can live with that. No gripes here. Military as killers... go whine in some other
newsgroup sweetie.
In my travels, the best supermarkets are hands down: Wegmans (Upstate NY) and Harris Teeter (South).
A bit pricy.. but well run.
All the other places stink. In fact, I'd rather get my groceries at Sam's Club than the supermarkets
around here. Sam's meat (abuse that phrase if desired is pretty good.
The worst is Food Lion... what a bunch of crooks.
Walmart is merely OK, if you have a Supercenter around. Prices are decent, but selection is limited.
Safeway... sucks overall. But I love the Sour Dough and the Foccacia. Do they still mail the coupon
books... they were pretty decent.
Farm Fresh... nice, but $$$.
Giant... mediocre all around. You gotta love the name of the corporate parent. Royal Dutch A-Hole,
or something to that effect. I like the Giant brand Sugar Cookies, and Green Onion Dip mix.
End of rant. My prescription is kicking in.
national Supermarkets (Safeway, Giant, etc).
Yes.. there is the fact that the commissary is subsidized, but that doesn't account for the entire
difference. There is somekind of difference that the corporate supermarkets have that I can't pin my
finger on...
Characteristics of the commissary:
1. Freak'in crowded... but that is due primarily to the low prices, secondarily because they dust
any supermarket in the area.
2. Checkout is FAST! It isn't like your corporate place with the slow employees and constant errors
at the checkout that need price checks, managers etc.
3. DIVERSITY in food. There is food from all over the world. I think this is since the military is
very diverse overall.
4. CHEAP. Somewhat due to subsidy... but there is a stunning amount of volume in a commissary. I
think the volume keeps prices down.
5. Freindly employees. It seems that most of them are career employees, not short timers.
6. One way aisles... god I hate that. I went against the flow once and was almost kicked out.
I believe in small govt, so I am disappointed that the private sector can't hold a candle to the
commissary. On the other hand, it's nice to see the govt be better than the private sector at
something.
Yes... the sibsidy is disappointing. But, studies suggest that for the military compensation
package: each dollar subsidized into the commissary, military pay is reduced by 2 dollars. As a
taxpayer, I can live with that. No gripes here. Military as killers... go whine in some other
newsgroup sweetie.
In my travels, the best supermarkets are hands down: Wegmans (Upstate NY) and Harris Teeter (South).
A bit pricy.. but well run.
All the other places stink. In fact, I'd rather get my groceries at Sam's Club than the supermarkets
around here. Sam's meat (abuse that phrase if desired is pretty good.
The worst is Food Lion... what a bunch of crooks.
Walmart is merely OK, if you have a Supercenter around. Prices are decent, but selection is limited.
Safeway... sucks overall. But I love the Sour Dough and the Foccacia. Do they still mail the coupon
books... they were pretty decent.
Farm Fresh... nice, but $$$.
Giant... mediocre all around. You gotta love the name of the corporate parent. Royal Dutch A-Hole,
or something to that effect. I like the Giant brand Sugar Cookies, and Green Onion Dip mix.
End of rant. My prescription is kicking in.