NOTE:To see a DeCA video related to this release, click here.
FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – Monday, June 24 marked the kickoff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 15th annual Feds Feed Families (FFF) campaign, which encourages employees from across the federal government to give in-kind contributions, whether food, services and/or time, to food banks and pantries.
This year’s campaign runs through Sept. 30, and is the fifth year the Department of Defense (DOD) has designated the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to lead its portion of the food donation effort.
The 2023 Feds Feed Families campaign broke records, bringing in over 10 million pounds of goods donated to food banks across the nation, an increase of more than 2.2 million pounds from 2022. Of the 10 million pounds donated, DOD contributed 5.9 million, or 59 percent, an increase of more than 26 percent from 2022. DeCA’s share of DOD’s 5.9 million was 4.1 million pounds, or 69 percent, an increase of more than 28 percent. Since Feds Feed Families launched in 2009, more than 117 million pounds of food have been collected for donation.
According to the USDA, 2.8 percent (17 million) of U.S. households were food insecure at some time during 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. Food price inflation continues to exacerbate the problem in 2024. The 2023 Feds Feed Families campaign broke records, bringing in over 10 million pounds of goods donated to food banks across the nation, an increase of more than 2.2 million pounds from 2022. Of the 10 million pounds donated, DOD contributed 5.9 million, or 59 percent, an increase of more than 26 percent from 2022. DeCA’s share of DOD’s 5.9 million was 4.1 million pounds, or 69 percent, an increase of more than 28 percent. Since Feds Feed Families launched in 2009, more than 117 million pounds of food have been collected for donation.
Commissaries on participating stateside military installations help collect those items indicated as most-needed by food pantries and then donate them to food banks local to their area. Eligible commissary customers and employees have a number of options to participate this year:
- by bringing items from home and dropping them off at donation bins at the front of stores;
- by purchasing needed food for donation while shopping at commissaries; and
- by purchasing standardized, $25 prepackaged donation bags, only available when using the agency’s Commissary CLICK2GO online ordering, curbside pick-up service this year. The donation bags contain Commissary Store Brand items such as Freedom’s Choice products, including canned meat, canned vegetables, pasta, pasta sauce and other items.
While checking out, cashiers will ask if patrons have any donations to be rung up first, so customers should place those items together in their carts for ease of access.
Once collected, commissaries work closely with installation officials to get the donations directly to local food banks.
Typically, the most-needed items include:
- Canned vegetables – low sodium or no salt preferred
- Canned fruits – in light syrup or their own juices
- Canned proteins – tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter and beans
- Soups – beef stew, chili, chicken, turkey or rice
- Condiments – tomato-based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing or oils
- Snacks – individually packed healthy snacks, such as trail mix, dried fruit, granola and cereal bars
- Multigrain cereals
- 100 percent juice – all sizes, including juice boxes
- Grains – brown and white rice, oatmeal, quinoa, couscous, pasta, and macaroni and cheese
- Paper products and household items – paper towels, napkins and cleaning supplies.
“The annual Feds Feed Families food drive remains one of the best ways for commissaries and military families to give back to the communities we live in,” said Navy Command Master Chief Mario Rivers, senior enlisted advisor to DeCA’s director. “Working with base commanders and chaplains’ offices, these donations go directly into the hands of those most in need, including some of our own active duty service members and families who also benefit.”
For more information on this campaign, please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.
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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. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. 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.
