Commissary celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson commissary is offering a produce sale for Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15.

Avocados, tomatoes and mangoes are some of the items on sale for the month. This promotion is only one of the many ways the JBER Commissary helps the base residents.

The commissary supports both internally by putting on sales and promotions, and externally by supporting on-base groups.

“We support the community to the fullest,” said Ermies Hernandez, JBER commissary director. “We don’t donate; we can’t donate food. We operate with appropriated funds, so we can get support to sponsor and help offset the costs for our shoppers. We do a lot here for the base.”

The commissary uses money accrued from product manufacturers to benefit shoppers.

“We coordinate with the companies we buy from to have accrual dollars that come from the patrons shopping at the commissary; it pays to shop at the commissary,” Hernandez said. “We also do forward buys. That’s extra money we get to support the community.”

A forward buy is when a retailer purchases a large quantity of product at a discounted price with the aim of offering it to their customer at a discounted rate. The accrual dollars are incentives from the manufacturers, like money and promotions. These incentives go right back into the community.

“Now we could use that money to mark the product down further, but I chose to go this route because it helps offset the cost for our shoppers sometimes,” Hernandez said. “We get that money accruing, then when we have special events, we give out gift certificates and have giveaways in the store.”

“We’re providing a benefit to our customers, to be able to give back to them and to help people who need the help,” said Tisha Wright, commissary grocery manager. “And with the help of our vendors and our employees, we’re able to do that. We recently had a drawing contest for back-to-school and the kids won some baskets with toothbrushes, bath soaps and other things to prepare them for school. They were able to do that because our vendors donated it.”

These accrual dollars can be obvious to the buyer, by awarding televisions, gift cards or a discounted avocado. But the less obvious ways this money can help is through on-base sponsorships.

A few of the many organizations the commissary sponsors include military retiree groups, spouse groups, the First Sergeant’s Council and Better Opportunities for Single Service members.

“This year we’re working on a joint venture to have a common operational picture across JBER for holiday assistance to our families,” Hernandez said. “Last year, we helped between 75 and 85 families purchase turkeys on each side of the base for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year we’re hoping to have a joint effort for the Army and Air Force for Thanksgiving and then another effort for Christmas as well.”

The commissary’s goal is to 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. But it also helps to have such a dedicated staff within the commissary.

“I love what I do and I love taking care of my customers,” Hernandez said. “This is why we’re here. We have jobs for the people on base, and our customers know I’m retired military and most of my employees are as well. We understand the needs of the community and we’re more empathetic towards the customers coming in because of this.”

To get help from the commissary, ask to speak to a store manager.