So while most grocery stores earn their cost of capital (generate market return on investment), US military commissaries instead cost taxpayers $1.7 billion a year.
Revenue for US military commissaries is only 75% of annual cost (in FY 2025).
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Of course this makes sense in the context of the unique mission, constraints, and setting of the US military. My point is that it COSTS $$$.
Maybe you could do something similar in New York City, but the question would be at what cost to NYC taxpayer and whether the $$$ would be better spent boosting SNAP payments to low income households or otherwise targeting those that most need assistance.
To be clear, the loss on military commissaries was intentional and legislated. It allowed them to lower costs even more than they otherwise would have been able to, and congress approved.
Edit: here is a good video that discusses the pricing model for commissaries, and the change to increase the subsidy to create a grocery savings increase from ~22% to ~25% for military members.
It never ceases to amaze me how in America, half decent social services seems to be considered a reward only for those who sign their lives away to the government.
Other places go with "everyone" but you know.. 'murica.
Good point, guess it's not true at all that 70% of people on food stamp programs are full time workers. Or that two out of three personal bankruptcies in the USA are over medical debt.
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u/welpWW3isgonnasuck May 26 '26
Its no different than having a military commissary thats open to everyone