Lackland Commissary (Mart: buying, school, organic)

[WeLikeTexas]

Hi All...

Can anyone who does their shopping at the Commissary tell me how their
prices compare to HEB? I'm especially curious about organic produce and meats as well as gluten free foods. We are moving there the first week of July.

Thanks,
HW

[fierce_flawless]

I don't know how things are now but the last time I was at the Commissary it was Ft. Sam's, and produce was a lot cheaper. Meat too. I don't remember organic prices.

I haven't been in a year or so... my best friend used to take me with her. I was an AF brat and so was she, we met in Jr. High and were both used to shopping on base.. but then I turned 21, and she married an AF guy and would take me with her from time to time. She's since divorced and moved away.

My uncle is retired Navy and just last week was telling me that prices weren't "that good on base" anymore... but take that with a grain of salt as he and his wife are crazy with money and don't live in the real world. LOL. He's all into exotic fruits and foods and I've known him to spend $4 on ONE mango so I don't pay much attention to what he says because he's not shopping for a *family* and has no idea really.

[rd2007]

overall prices are MUCh cheaper, but I don't pay attention to organic stuff, so I can't help you with that. I split my shopping between the commissary and the HEB+ by my house. no need for that other store...

[Paka]

Can goods, paper, cleaning supplies all MUCH cheaper....and some great sales, especially the "case lot" ones. Meats are cheaper, and I personally think better UNLESS you are talking the vacuum sealed "seasoned" meats at HEB...then HEB wins.

I don't buy ANY produce at the base at all...just a much better selection at HEB and that is more important to me than the price when it comes to veggies/produce.

[rd2007]

I usually get my produce from HEB because the quality was better. Different types of lettuce (anything but iceburg) are about 4-5 times cheaper at the commissary though.

[hadleyzoo]

I haven't shopped at the commissary in at least 6 months.

I find the quality of meats is better at HEB. I quit buying meat at the Lackland commissary because everything I got tasted like cardboard (although I really don't know what cardboard tastes like). I pay a few bucks more at HEB and never throw any of it away and even end up with leftovers for lunch to take to work. The commissary's stuff---the last 6 months I bought meat, most of it ended up in the garbage because it tasted horrible. And no...it isn't my cooking.

I also agree the produce at HEB is better too.

I have found I'm not spending much more on groceries by shopping totally at HEB.

[majormadmax]

The wife does all the shopping, but tells me it is much cheaper than HEB. It doesn't have as much variety; but the prices are much better. She says the meat is comparable to HEB but cheaper, and they do have some gluten free items in the health section. Now that the kids are out of school, she'll probably shop there more.

On the other hand, my mother, who shops at a Navy commissary in Florida all the time, says that prices have been noticibly increasing. Most likely due to the cost of gas, but as she is within a 10-15 minute drive to her commissary, she still finds it worth the trip. We are a half hour/17 miles away.

But I will also add that I prefer HEB and Target over WalMart, but the latter is cheaper. I just hate going into that store sometimes...

Cheers! M2