Florida Fresh

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Christine Spain, Barksdale Commissary store director, helps quality check avocados in the receiving room Aug. 9 at the Barksdale Commissary. Trucks deliver fresh produce in the early morning Tuesday through Saturday every week and employees must receive and quality control all products. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft) (RELEASED)

Making the cut

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Fresh tomatoes and yellow peppers are placed in the receiving room for inspection Aug. 9 at the Barksdale Commissary. Trucks deliver fresh produce in the early morning Tuesday through Saturday every week and employees must receive and quality control all products. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft) (RELEASED)

Making a list, Checking it twice

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Edith Banks (right), Commissary produce manager, shows Alberta Hall (left), store associate training in produce, where the quantity goes on the inventory checklist Aug. 9 at the Barksdale Commissary. Trucks deliver fresh produce in the early morning Tuesday through Saturday every week and employees must receive and quality control all products. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft) (RELEASED)

Fresh pick of the Crop

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Edith Banks, Commissary produce manager, helps cull cucumbers for placement of fresh ones Aug. 9 at the Barksdale Commissary. Trucks deliver fresh produce in the early morning Tuesday through Saturday every week and employees must receive and quality control all products. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft) (RELEASED)

Barksdale Commissary 'produces' the best

Published Aug. 12, 2010
By Senior Aiman Amber Ashcraft
2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Providing groceries to more than 8,500 military personnel, retirees and their families is no easy feat. With that responsibility and ensuring it's provided in a safe and secure shopping environment, the Barksdale Commissary team guarantees all produce is of the highest quality.

The Defense Commissary Agency's motto is "Quality first, people always," and Christine Spain, the Barksdale Commissary store director, holds this to a high standard.

"With proper training for our employees, quality assurance of our produce has greatly improved," said Mrs. Spain. "We all work side-by-side to make sure everyone knows what is required to keep their sections in excellent condition."

When it comes to the produce, employees work throughout the day to cull (remove bruised items), ice, water and rotate the product to ensure the most crisp and freshest produce is available.

"The truck delivers produce in the early morning Tuesday through Saturday, "said Mrs. Spain. "Team members fill the (produce) line before the early birds arrive. We all believe this store should be ready for the first customer and the last."

Working with DECA for almost 27 years, Mrs. Spain has learned to lead by example and is well known for being a supervisor that leads from the front. Working alongside produce manager Edith Banks, Mrs. Spain ensures that training remains a motivational tool necessary for keeping the Commissary in its best condition for Barksdale.

"Mrs. Spain truly cares about providing world-class customer service for our community," said Col. Scott Hoover, Mission Support Group commander. "Balancing the needs of all our customers is a challenge, but she listens and leads change wherever she can."