In South Korea, U.S. military commissaries, including the one at Camp Humphreys, are transitioning to stocking locally grown fruits and vegetables alongside their usual range of imported goods. The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) has initiated this shift to include high-quality local produce, akin to what shoppers might find in commercial grocery stores, as part of their offering. This move includes a variety of fruits and vegetables such as apples, potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, radishes, pumpkins, kale, leeks, green onions, tomatoes, pomegranates, persimmons, citrus, and grapes from the United States, and squash from Mexico, according to DeCA spokesman Keith Desbois.
Desbois emphasized that the adjustment is a response to the dynamic nature of the supply chain, aiming to provide patrons in Korea with the best available products. He noted that the changes are ongoing, with no definitive completion date. Despite these supply chain adjustments, DeCA does not foresee any price increases for its produce, except for those that are seasonally expected across all grocery outlets.
At Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base overseas, there was a noticeable shortage of certain produce items such as strawberries, celery, cucumbers, peppers, and bananas earlier in November. However, the situation has since improved, with previously unavailable items like bananas, now sourced from Vietnam by Del Monte Foods, reappearing on the shelves. Shoppers have had mixed reactions to these changes, with some expressing dissatisfaction with the temporary shortages, while others appreciate the availability of fresh produce despite the occasional gaps in stock.
As DeCA continues to assess its sourcing options, the aim is to maintain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for commissary patrons in South Korea, ensuring that the community has access to quality produce without significant disruptions or price hikes. The agency's efforts to adapt to supply chain challenges reflect its commitment to serving the needs of its patrons, even as it navigates the complexities of international logistics and sourcing.
Source: Stars and Stripes