Spring event combines best of military resale activities

  • Published
  • By Rick Brink, DeCA public affairs specialist

FORT LEE, Va. — Five months after our New Year’s resolutions to eat and live healthier, the Healthy Lifestyle Festivals begin later this month at commissaries worldwide to help reaffirm any lagging resolve.

“Commissaries are joining forces with their military resale partners and other activities to put renewed focus on helping service members and their families live and eat well through the products and services conveniently available on our installations,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, the Defense Commissary Agency’s senior enlisted advisor to the agency director.

Commissaries are hosting sidewalk sales, focusing on healthy food choices and featuring coupon-bundling specials that pair well with fruits and vegetables. Plenty of product demonstrations and food samplings will lend to the festive air. There’s also a healthy pet emphasis featuring great prices on pet food and associated items, and some locations will have activities that appeal to pet owners.

Commissaries won’t be alone because various exchange and Morale Welfare and Recreation services will have corresponding sales and activities. People can enjoy special discounts on workout equipment and apparel, and check out the health screenings and fitness events.

“We in the military are all about maintaining resilience and readiness, and our Healthy Lifestyle Festivals put the spotlight on how we come together as a community on our installations to help do that,” O’Neal said.

The schedule of events, which run one to four days, and the types of activities vary by location. Event dates can be found on the “Healthy Lifestyle Festival” page on DECA’s website, commissaries.com. The first one begins May 14 at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and the last one ends July 7 at Marine Corps Base Camp Kinser, Okinawa.

Editor’s note: The Healthy Lifestyle Festival will be at Tinker AFB June 14-16. The Tinker Commissary will also have sidewalk sales May 17-19.