'Apples to apples' - new calculations reveal even higher savings for commissary customers Published July 28, 2010 By Stephen K. Robinson Defense Commissary Agency Office of Communication EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- I could use an extra $369 a month in my pocket! And here's how - shop the commissary! "Delivering substantial savings to the brave men and women of our armed forces is now, and always has been, our top priority," said Thomas E. Milks, acting Defense Commissary Agency director and chief operating officer. "Recent changes in the way savings levels are computed have shown the actual dollar value of the commissary benefit is even higher than previously reported. That is excellent news!" Savings rates have traditionally been based on comparisons between commissary sales figures and statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Moderate-Cost Food Plan, which is a continuous survey measuring household grocery store purchases. USDA figures are based soley on food purchases, while the commissary data included both food and non-food items. The food savings percentage is based on savings for the following edible categories: grocery (food), dairy, frozen food, meat and produce, while the non-food savings percentage is based on savings for health and beauty care items along with grocery (non-food) which includes pet products, cleaning and laundry, paper products and other household items. "This year, for the first time, we have broken out the non-food items, so we're comparing apples to apples, so to speak," Greg Kochuba said, speaking on behalf of DeCA's sales directorate special projects chief. "It's a more valid comparison of commissary prices versus retail grocery prices and should be a more meaningful tool for our shoppers." The overall savings percentage reported earlier this year remains at 31.7 percent, while worldwide savings for the food-only category now stands at 32 percent, and for the non-food category at 30.5 percent. "Translating the percentages into dollar savings is where the difference really shows," Mr. Kochuba said. Savings for a typical family of four increased from almost $3,300 per year to more than $4,400 per year when you include savings on non-food items. "That's a $369-a-month boost to the family budget. So now, more than ever, our customers can see that shopping the commissary really is worth the trip!" Mr. Milks said. "This is exciting news for all patrons of the commissary, and especially the young Airmen who have to budget their paychecks," said William J. Shea, Defense Commissary Agency store director here. The chart below lists annual savings amounts for different household sizes. Household Definition Household Food Savings Nonfood Savings Food & Nonfood Size Savings Single 1 $1,158.08 $ 372.18 $1,530.26 Single w/1 child 2 $1,843.17 $ 592.36 $2,435.53 Married 2 $2,123.13 $ 682.33 $2,805.46 Married w/1 child 3 $2,619.67 $ 841.91 $3,461.59 Married w/2 children 4 $3,351.22 $1,077.02 $4,428.24 Married w/3 children 5 $3,720.22 $1,195.61 $4,915.82 Married w/4 children 6 $4,533.70 $1,457.05 $5,990.74 Married w/5 children 7 $4,803.40 $1,543.72 $6,347.12