Malmstrom Commissary receives nationwide recognition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
The Defense Commissary Agency awarded the Malmstrom Commissary the Bill Nichols Award for Best Large Commissary in the United States.

“There is a cohesiveness, a professionalism and a level of caring here I haven’t seen at many other commissaries,” said Gerard Contreras, the Malmstrom Commissary manager. “We have patrons that specifically shop here just to interact with our employees.”

DeCA manages and operates commissary chains worldwide, delivering quality groceries to military personnel, their families and retirees.

“Winning this award for the Malmstrom Commissary means (receiving) recognition for a job well done, and striving to achieve the same level of excellence or better in the next year,” Maletich said.

Receiving the award signifies Malmstrom’s commissary meets standards, exceeds those standards and therefore is the best large commissary store in DeCA.

“Commissary stores were ranked based on (standards for) accountability, customer service, recycling and solid waste diversion, safety, sales and a photo portfolio,” said Tiffanie Maletich, the Malmstrom Commissary secretary.

According to Maletich, solid waste diversion is similar to landfill waste diversion, which means taking a product or substance and re-purposing that item to achieve a different effect or goal.

In this case, the Malmstrom Commissary enhanced and supported recycling, composting and food donation programs to effectively utilize unusable products for a more beneficial purpose.

“This award means receiving recognition for a job very well done,” said Contreras. “We have a sense of pride in our actions and the results have been noticed.”

Commissaries are designed to provide the best retail options possible at no profit on sales.

According to www.commissaies.com, customers save thousands of dollars annually by shopping at the commissary.

The Malmstrom Commissary supports Airmen and family readiness and quality of life standards.

“It’s a great honor to be contributing to the recognition Malmstrom has been receiving lately,” said Contreras. “It’s great to be part of this award-winning base. The people here have so much pride to be part of this base, and it’s great to be able to be a part of it.”