Commissary eyes new deli, bakery contracts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE La. --  Customers have seen empty shelves at the deli and bakery counters at the Barksdale Commissary since March 20.

The Defense Commissary Agency has terminated two Nayyarsons Corp. contracts, affecting deli and bakery services across 22 commissaries nationwide.

"It was a decision made in the best interest of our customers," said DeCA Director and CEO Joseph Jeu. "I want our customers to know we're working diligently to get services back to normal."

The Barksdale Commissary anticipates approximately 60 days until full deli and bakery operations resume, but Mr. Ralph Buras, the commissary officer here, has interim plans to meet customers' needs. The deli and bakery operations are expected to resume early June.

"We've started processing paperwork to hire the [contractor's] employees," Buras said. "They'll become commissary employees starting [March 21] and then we'll bring in our own products."

While deli and bakery operations will be limited in capacity, he says, the commissary will continue selling around 30 deli products including meats, cheeses and some breads.

Until the commissary resumes sandwich operations, customers are still able to purchase cold cuts, potato and macaroni salad, fruit and vegetable trays and other items from grocery and produce aisles.

For more information, or to view Defense Commissary Agency press releases, visit www.commissaries.com.

Some information in this article provided by Rick Brink, DeCA public affairs.