Orange is the new green Published Nov. 18, 2015 By Kevin L. Robinson DeCA public affairs specialist FORT LEE, Va. -- Commissary patrons are finding they can save a lot of "green" in their bank accounts when they locate the orange tags denoting Value Brands. The Commissary Value Brands program continues to provide savings on national name brand items comparable to low-cost store brand or private label items in commercial stores, said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency's director of sales. "With the help of our industry partners, we've put together a generous mix of products that go well beyond our normal commissary low prices," Russ said. "All our patrons have to do is locate that bright orange 'Value' tag and let the savings begin." On average, Commissary Value Brands save patrons about 20 percent when compared to the commercial retail stores' brand and private label items and about 38 percent against national brands. What began a year ago as 300 products and 33 categories has matured to nearly 500 items and 54 categories. The Value Brands lineup includes beverages such as coffee, soft drinks and juices; dairy products like several cheeses, butter, canned and powdered milk; lunch meats, canned tuna and salmon; canned and frozen vegetables; canned fruit and soup; hot and cold cereals; bread; dry pasta and rice; pizza and entrees; peanut butter, jelly, honey and condiments; ice cream; cleaning supplies, disposable bags, laundry bleach and paper towels; pet foods; batteries; health and beauty care and more. Every six months, DeCA works with its industry partners to ensure the products selected as Value Brands are consistently equal to or lower than comparable store brand and private label products downtown. Products are subtracted or added under the "Value" sign based on price, sales performance and market changes. A list of Value Brand items is on the DeCA website, http://www.commissaries.com. Shoppers can simply click on the Value Brands webpage at http://www.commissaries.com/shopping/value-brands.cfm. Frequently asked questions and a video of the program are also there. The agency's social media outlets, especially Facebook and Twitter, also identify Value Brand deals. "As we always say with Commissary Value Brands: 'You spoke and we listened. We compared and you saved!' Russ said. "If you want to save more, go for the orange."