The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA),
commissary is located at the Navy Support Complex
in Smokey Point. The commissary is a full
service facility that competes with surrounding
local grocery establishments. The most recent
independent survey reports that commissary shoppers
save 30.4% on their groceries compared to
local food stores. A typical family of four can save
more than $2,440 a year by shopping exclusively
at the Smokey Point Commissary.
"It's Your Choice — Make It Healthy" is the
new campaign in the commissary. Check out the
new graphics and posters emphasizing healthy
food choices. Taking care of ourselves should be
everybody's top priority and your commissary is
here to help.
In addition to the very popular Best Value Item
(BVI) program the commissary has a monthly
promotional theme event with hundreds of
reduced price items. The best of these items can
usually be found as special displays on the ends of
aisles or on off-shelf promotional displays around
the store.
Look for each department's Manager's Specials,
which are a few specially chosen items, featured
for a brief period of time. Also, in each department,
we have displayed "Price Comparison"
boards. This shows commissary savings compared
to public shopping facilities.
The Grab 'N Go section at customer entry to the
commissary features fresh sandwiches, free coffee,
and various single serve items available for
your convenience.
The produce and meat departments rival any
such departments in the local area. The produce
department has more than 225 items for your
selection and the presentation of the department is
"super market" in appearance. The meat department
carries more than 125 items including a new
section of specialty pre-seasoned items. Customers
are encouraged to use the service bell for
any requests of special cuts of meat.
The deli/bakery has more than 300 items for
your selection and serves sandwiches "to order,"
hot soup, and fountain soda drinks. The deli
"bistro" service has tables in the department for
your convenience of on-site lunch or snacks.
The grocery department presently stocks more
than 13,500 items and recently added a selection
of 43 magazines at the check stands. Special
orders are encouraged and should be brought to
the attention of the customer service manager or
any other manager in the store.
The customer service department is staffed to
assure that the customer has a pleasant and expeditious
ending to their shopping experience. They
accept personal checks, debit/credit cards, manufacturer
coupons, EBT and WIC vouchers for payment
of groceries. They recently added $25 and
$100 gift cards (certificates) for your convenience
and are sold at the cash cage in the front of the
store and available online at
commissaries.com.
Other commissary information:
• Your Social Security Number is no longer
required on personnel checks.
• Visitors can accompany I.D. cardholders in
the commissary, but are not allowed to make
a purchase.
• Reservists now have 24 shopping visits
allowed annually.
• The Smokey Point Commissary awards an
annual $1500 scholarship to a local deserving
young person.
• Look for recipe centers in the commissary.
• Physically impaired shoppers can start shopping
a half an hour before the store opens.
The Defense Commissary Agency has a Web site
(
http://www.commissaries.com) with all individual
worldwide commissaries having an individual web
page. On the main page a shopper can download
coupons and recipes, view newsletters, see what's
on sale, enter shopping sprees and more. Visit the
Smokey Point Commissary's Web page and get all
of the information about commissaries worldwide.
Naval Station Everett Fleet and Family Services
regionalized several years ago and became part of
the region Community Services Department.
However, Everett still maintains a Fleet and Family
Support Center (FFSC) that is located at the Navy Support Complex in Smokey Point, just
north of Marysville. It provides a one-stop location
where service members and their families can
obtain reliable information and assistance on a
wide range of important topics. The hours are
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For
information or appointments call 425-304-3367,
DSN: 727-3367, or 1-888-463-6697. The fax is
425-304-3374. The services offered include:
•
Counseling: Counseling is available for individuals,
couples and families on a short-term
basis. Assistance is provided for a variety of
personal issues, including relationships, separations,
adjustments, parenting, communication,
stress, anger, violence, abuse, crisis, and other
concerns. Appropriate referrals will be provided
when long-term counseling is indicated.
•
Programs: Pro-active workshops and programs
are offered on personal and family
enrichment topics. Regularly scheduled workshops
are designed to help people learn skills
such as parenting, stress management, marital
communication, and financial management.
Other topics are available upon request.
•
Information and referral: Information on
civilian and military services, resources and
activities is available. Information not readily
available will be researched for you. This
service is provided by telephone or on a walkin
basis.
•
Relocation assistance: The Fleet & Family
Support Center provides a variety of relocation
services for military members either arriving,
or PCSing from, Naval Station Everett. Upon
request, FFSC provides Welcome Aboard
Packages containing area information to both
commands and military members. Hospitality
kits—containing pots, pans, dishes, silverware,
etc.—are available for checkout for
free, and are offered to personnel waiting for
their household goods to arrive. "Plan My
Move" and "Military Installations" are on-line
programs available on the Military Home Front
Web site
http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil. and
assist with organizing PCS's. The FFSC
Relocation Program also provides individual
relocation assistance, school transition assistance,
information and referral, information
on Navy, Immigration, and Local community
resources, and so much more.
•
Transition assistance: Assistance is available
for all military members and their families in
making a smooth transition from military to
civilian life. This is provided through individual
consultation, workshops, employment
assistance, a resource room, and computer
assisted programs to aid in the job search.
Twice a month, the Departments of Defense,
Labor, and Veterans Affairs present a transition
assistance program seminar jointly.
•
Family employment readiness program:
This program assists family members of
active duty, retirees, and their family members
in the job search. Information includes
job listings, referrals, and reference materials
on many topics. Counseling is available for
preparing resumes and cover letters, application
forms and interviewing techniques.
•
Ombudsman assistance: Officially appointed
by the Commanding Officer, the Ombudsman
is a military spouse tasked with one of
the most important jobs in the Navy: the
main link between the Commanding Officer
and the command families. An Ombudsman
can help a family member with obtaining
important phone numbers, getting in touch
with the family support group, or sending an
emergency message to the command. The
FFSC provides training to Ombudsman,
guidance for the Ombudsman Assembly, and
can help you get in touch with your
Ombudsman.
•
Personal financial management program:
The personal financial management program
maintains a library of financial resources and
consumer information, offers classes on financial
issues and the basics of financial survival,
provides basic financial counseling and supports
the command financial specialists.
•
New parent support team: This program
focuses on supporting expectant and new parents
by providing information about home
and child management. It offers home visits
that focus on health needs of infants and toddlers,
parent education, and referrals to community
resources.
•
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
(SARC): This program assists active
duty/retired military personnel and their
family members in coping with the effects
of rape/sexual assault. A cadre of community
and military volunteer advocates makes up
the backbone of the program. They provide
24-hour information, referral and support
services.
•
Retired Activities Office: A Retired Activities
Office (RAO) offers assistance to all
retired U.S. Uniformed Services and their
families by helping them learn about and
receive their earned benefits and aiding family
members upon the death of the retired
service member. Call 425-304-3775 for
more information.