Ft. Meade Commissary

Yesterday, I visited the Ft. Meade Commissary for the first time in months. I don't tend to shop there because, it is out of the way and, you have to deal with base security to get on base. I was surprised to find out they'd changed the layout and entrance to the commissary. For example, the row with chips and snacks used to be further from the entrance than it is now. In regards to the entrance, it was shifted to where you enter the baked goods and deli section immediately. Another change was the deli counter as it was swapped around with the salads and roasted chicken section. (I wasn't impressed with their roasted chickens as they were as expensive at the ones you can buy at Sam's Club. Costco has cheaper ones.)

I checked out the prices on some items I was interested in. Supposedly, the commissary will save you at least 23% on your food bill. Personally, I have seen some savings on certain items. This trip I found out I was able to buy a 2 liter bottle of Barq's root beer, Seagram's ginger ale or any flavor of Fanta for 99 cents. That's a good price. I know Wal-Mart charges more than that though I can't tell specifically how much more. Another nice deal is their turkey bologna and turkey cotto salami. The commissary sells 1 pound packages of those for $1.25 which is a good price. I think you'd pay at least $2 else where.

One thing that confounded me a bit was the price difference between Coca Cola products. Coca Cola produces the entire Coke line as well as Sprite, Fanta, Barq's, Mello Yellow (their Mountain Dew equivalent) and Minute Maid lemonade. To my bewilderment, the 2 liter bottles of any Coke product i.e. regular Coke, Diet Coke or Zero Coke was $1.50 as was Sprite. I don't understand why those products would cost $1.50 while other Coca Cola products such as Fanta and Barq's cost 99 cents. Because of this, I skipped Sprite which I like and drink a fair amount of.

One last item I like about the commissary is the self check out. I find it tends to be quicker and, I can bag my own groceries. While the baggers at the commissary are nice and do a good job, I don't care to tip them for something I'm perfectly willing to do myself. It isn't that hard to bag 30 or 40 items.

Overall, my visit to the commissary went well. I didn't find everything I wanted. I wanted to be get some Pepperidge Farm bread sticks but, I couldn't find them. I wonder if Pepperidge Farm makes them anymore. I'll have to search the web and find out. However, I know I saved some money shopping there and was pleased with the service. I'll definitely go back again some time in the future.