From budget-friendly family dinners to back-to-school lunches that won’t come home untouched, the commissary is our secret weapon. Thanks to Commissary Shopper, we’ve got insider tips, brand spotlights, and meal ideas to make every trip a win for your wallet, your pantry, and your sanity.
Whether you’re new to the commissary or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you:
- Feed your family well (without breaking the budget)
- Pack school lunches that actually get eaten
- Stock up on snacks and staples worth the shelf space
- Stretch your grocery dollar with deals, coupons, and hacks
So, grab your reusable bags and let’s go shopping!
Keep Little Shoppers Busy at the Commissary
Shopping with kids can feel like an Olympic sport, but turning it into a game makes it so much easier (and way more fun!). That’s why MilMC Contributor, Christy created a Commissary Color Hunt printable to keep little hands and curious eyes busy while you shop.
As you make your way through the aisles, your kids can look for items that match each color on their sheet, like a scavenger hunt for groceries! Not only does it keep them entertained, but it also helps them practice color recognition, observation skills, and patience (a win for everyone).
Print one out before your trip and let your kids be your shopping sidekicks while you focus on finding the best deals. Let commissary runs could double as learning time!
Copycat Cravings: Commissary Edition
Copy Cat McDonald’s Egg McMuffin Recipe
Why hit the drive-thru when you can whip up your own Egg McMuffin at home in just minutes? This Copy Cat McDonald’s Egg McMuffin Recipe is fast, budget-friendly, and tastes […]
Copy Cat Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad
The cobb salad from Chick-fil-A is a favorite of mine! This copy cat version is delicious and easy to make. There are numerous variations to this delicious salad! Ingredients: Lettuce […]
Copy Cat Dairy Queen Blizzard
No one ever felt sad eating ice cream. And who doesn’t love the famous Dairy Queen blizzard! This is a winning DQ copy cat! Ingredients 4 cups Blue Bunny Vanilla […]
Copy Cat Jamba Juice Smoothie
This is one of those measure-with-your-heart recipes that you honestly can’t mess it up! Looking for a quick, delicious treat that tastes just like Jamba Juice? Just grab your favorite […]
Better than Boxed Mac & Cheese
If your kids are like mine…then I’m assuming you are also always purchasing mac & cheese! Don’t get me wrong, the boxed kind is DELICIOUS and convenient! But if you […]
Copy Cat Cotton Candy Alani Nu Recipe – NO Caffeine!
Love Alani Nu’s cotton candy flavor but not the 200mg caffeine jolt that comes with it? Same. That’s why I started making my own version at home—zero caffeine, zero crash, […]
Pantry to Plate: Easy Recipes with Commissary Finds
It’s back-to-school time, and the most overlooked thing to practice for a Kindergartner is lunchtime. As a mom to three and a teacher, I want to hold your hand and help both of you get ready for this next big step. As the mom, you have to decide whether your family will be a packed lunch family or a school-bought lunch family. Both options can be healthy and work out great. Both of these types of lunches have different things to practice.
Lunch Packers:
Pick out a lunchbox and have your child use it for afternoon snacks for a week. Can they open it without help? Can they open the snacks without help? Do you need to rethink how food is cut or packaged? Will they have a separate drink with their lunch? Can they get the straw in the juice box without a grown-up? In the lunchroom, there are a large number of children for the lunch monitors to help. If they do need help, role-play asking for help and saying thank you. The time put in before school starts teaches your child that they are independent and capable is a tremendous gift. Lunchtime is also fast– don’t try new foods in their lunch boxes. Go with the tried and true: protein, fruit, veggie, treat method.
School Lunch Buyers: As soon as you know your child’s PIN code, have them practice using it on your phone by typing it into the calculator app and then handing them their snack. Remind them that this is a secret code and it’s important not to share it. Also, have a conversation about manners and saying thank you to those who serve us food. What should they do if the food choices look gross? What do you hope they eat for lunch?
Remember, no matter what choice your family picks for lunch, your kiddo will come home from school for the first few days ravenous. Build a tradition of sitting down with a snack and cuddling to reconnect and anchor yourselves together. You’ve got this– you’re exactly the right mom for your kids.
Shop Military Spouse-Owned
We can’t talk commissary life without shouting out our friend Karen at Sailor and Sons. She creates the best commissary-inspired merch, you know the kind of gear that makes your grocery runs just a little more fun.
We highly encourage you to shop small and support a military spouse business. You can find all her amazing designs here:
👉 Sailor and Sons on Instagram
👉 Sailor and Sons Etsy Shop
Trust us, once you see her commissary merch, you’ll want to stock up just as much as you do in the snack aisle.