Without a way to quickly identify nutrient-rich foods, commissary customers who want to make better food choices can spend a lot of time studying product labels. The Defense Commissary Agency’s health and wellness team is looking to make that chore easier with the new Dietitian-Approved Thumb program, known as DAT.

Lancaster Foods LLC is recalling processed butternut squash items because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Jan. 20.

Nestle USA is recalling select batches of their Hot Pockets Garlic Buttery Crust Pepperoni Pizza Brand Sandwiches because they may contain clear plastic and glass, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Jan. 15.

Pero Family Farms Food Company, LLC initiated its own voluntary recall of its butternut squash products after receiving a notification of this recall from its supplier, Race West Company, that some products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a Department of Defense All

Out with 2020 and in with 2021. Although the year has changed, the Defense Commissary Agency’s responsibility to deliver the commissary benefit safely during the COVID-19 pandemic has not.

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of their Dole Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kits because a packaging error resulted in the presence of egg, an undeclared allergen, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Jan. 5.

Family Fit Lifestyle Month in January highlights nutrition and the benefits of exercising. And the commissary is there to help service members and their families achieve their fitness goals without flexing their budgets.

Army Col. Alisa R. Wilma is the interim director of the Defense Commissary Agency’s public health and safety directorate, announced Rogers E. Campbell, executive director of DeCA’s Store Operations Group. The appointment is effective Dec. 15.

Nestlé Prepared Foods is voluntarily recalling a specific lot code of its frozen Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken meal because they may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of hard white plastic according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Dec.

On Dec. 20, 2019, Congress established the U.S. Space Force within the Department of the Air Force. The Defense Commissary Agency is honored to deliver the commissary benefit to Space Force’s service members and their family members, said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director.

The Scholarships for Military Children Program for academic year 2021 – 2022 begins accepting applications Dec. 14 this year. Applications are due by Feb. 17.

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.”

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.