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October marks the unofficial start of the holiday season for commissary customers who reap the benefits of Halloween and Thanksgiving promotions, giveaways and more.

Twenty-six years ago on Oct. 1, the Defense Commissary Agency took control of armed forces commissaries, worldwide.

Commissary patrons have plenty of opportunities for extra savings with February promotions focusing on heart health awareness, the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, Valentine’s Day and more.

The Defense Commissary Agency’s new Camp Humphreys Commissary came to life Feb. 7, as hundreds of service members and their families lined up in the bitter cold for the doors to open.

For more than 150 years, military commissaries have made it their job to provide food and other grocery necessities at the lowest possible prices to service members and their families.

Whether it’s frozen food, healthy items labeled through the nutrition guide program or munchies to watch the zaniness of college hoops, your commissaries are offering deep discounts through March sales promotions.

Commissary store brands are becoming a larger portion of the store inventory with the latest addition of private label products.

It’s only natural to highlight the commissary’s nutrition guide program (NGP) during March, National Nutrition Month, and this year the spotlight is on the center of the store.

Minnesota Vikings tight-end Kyle Rudolph stood quietly among a small circle of Gold Star families at Fort Lee, Virginia, and listened as many of them tearfully reflected on the lives of their cherished service members who died in combat or as a result of military service.