1) The document announces various promotions and savings opportunities at commissaries in October for customers to take advantage of for the upcoming holidays. 2) Promotions include discounts on select products, coupon booklets, sweepstakes to win trips home for the holidays, and opportunities to purchase a complete Thanksgiving meal at discounted prices. 3) Commissaries aim to help customers extend their savings of 30% or more on groceries through these special promotions during a busy time for holiday shopping and meals.

1. NEWS RELEASE
Defense Commissary Agency
Corporate Communication
1300 E Avenue Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800
Tel: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105 DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105
FAX: (804) 734-8248 DSN: 687-8248
www.commissaries.com
Release Number: 61-12
Date: September 24, 2012
Contact: Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist
Tel.: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
E-mail: kevin.robinson@deca.mil
Fall signals start to holiday savings at commissary
By Sallie Cauthers,
DeCA marketing and mass communications specialist
FORT LEE, Va. – October represents the unofficial start of the holiday season for
commissary customers who want to see store promotions, giveaways and more opportunities for
discounts beyond their usual 30 percent or more savings, said the Defense Commissary Agency’s
director of sales.
“Whether it is celebrating Oktoberfest with friends or saluting friends and families from
afar with a big, plump, roasted turkey, your commissary wants you to know we are here for you
with extra savings and grand opportunities to enhance your commissary benefit,” said Chris
Burns, DeCA sales director.
“In October, we also recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” he added. “Several of
our industry partners are offering special in-store events that will be easily recognizable: They’ll
be pink!”
Throughout October, DeCA’s industry partners – vendors, suppliers and brokers – are
collaborating with commissaries to offer discounts beyond everyday savings. Overseas stores
may have substitute events for certain promotional programs. Customers are asked to check their
local commissary for details on dates and times for the following promotions:
 Commissary Rewards Card. As of Sept. 24, more than 220 commissaries have
deployed the rewards card, and it’s on track to be in all stores by early fall. The card lets
authorized shoppers download digital coupons redeemable in commissaries. Customers
are asked to check with their local commissary to see if the card is available at their store.

2.  “Home for the Holidays.” Dr. Pepper-Snapple is offering 20 families of four a fully
funded trip home. Sixteen families in the states will win a round-trip flight to anywhere
within the United States, lodging for six days and five nights and $1,000 cash for
expenses. Four families overseas will win a round-trip flight to anywhere in United
States, lodging for six days and five nights, and $1,000 cash for expenses. Winners will
have the opportunity to travel through March 2013. Check your local commissary
beginning Oct. 11 for Dr. Pepper/Snapple and Mott’s displays for entry boxes. Customers
who register their Commissary Rewards Cards by Oct. 24 can also enter the “Home for
the Holidays Sweepstakes.” The sweepstakes entry form appears at the end of the
registration process online.
 National Breast Cancer Foundation. Oct. 14, P&G will be distributing high-value
coupons on their name-brand products found in their Brandsaver coupon booklet. For
every coupon redeemed, P&G will make a donation to the National Breast Cancer
Foundation to assist with early detection.
 “Pink for the Cure.” From Sept. 27 to Oct. 24, General Mills will show its support for
breast cancer awareness with high-value coupons on pink packaging on select General
Mills brands.
 Oktoberfest! Continuing through mid-October, commissary customers will find sales
and coupons for imported items from Germany and other European countries. A full line
of German products will be available: chocolates, cookies, sauerkraut, mustard, red
cabbage, pickles, noodles, coffee and more.
 “From the Bases, To the Races.” Oct. 11-24, Scott, Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Clorox
and Bush’s products will offer commissary customers a chance to enter to win a grand
prize package for two that includes airfare, hotel, race tickets and pit passes to the
February 2013 Daytona 500 Nationwide and Nextel Cup races as well as a $300 Visa
cash card for meals and incidentals. In addition, 100 autographed mini hoods will be
awarded as first prizes. See NASCAR display in stores for more details. Commissaries in
European and the Pacific markets will have an alternate non-racing themed program
available.
 Thanksgiving holiday meal. Beginning Oct. 25, commissary customers will be able to
purchase their complete Thanksgiving meal. The following industry partners – Kraft
Foods, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Quaker Oats, Heinz, Fresh Express, Peppridge
Farm, P&G, Nestle Water and Hefty/Reynolds Wrap – will provide shoppers in the

3. United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) with a coupon booklet valued at more than
$40. Shoppers in Europe, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo Bay and the Pacific will receive a
special eight-page coupon fliers valued at more than $32. The booklet will also include
preparation tips and holiday recipes. These booklets and fliers will be handed out by
industry partners as well as be available in customized holders. Supplies of both the
booklets and fliers are limited.
“The Commissary Rewards Card is just one of many opportunities our customers will
have beginning this fall to extend their benefit,” Burns said. “The holidays are a busy period for
us. Look for plenty of promotions and savings events in your commissary.”
-DeCA-
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing
groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Authorized
patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and
modernizing existing ones. By shopping regularly in the commissary, patrons save an average of 30 percent or more
on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually. A core
military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries 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.
Stay Connected to Your Commissary Benefit
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out the latest news, find a store near you, see what's on sale, create a shopping list, learn of food and product recalls,
scan employment opportunities, read frequently asked questions, submit a customer comment form online through
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