Military Discounts on Groceries
Groceries can take a sizable bite out of just about every household budget, but active-duty members and veterans have a few ways to lower the bill. Some stores offer recurring discounts, while others run special promotions around Veterans Day and other military holidays. Eligible shoppers can also use commissaries, where groceries are sold specifically for the community at reduced prices.
Commissaries
If you are new to military culture, the Commissary system is one of the many military benefits you’ll use both stateside and overseas.
Commissaries are grocery stores located on military bases in the U.S. and overseas. Authorized shoppers include active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military retirees, and eligible family members. Access has also been expanded to certain veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs, and qualifying caregivers.
You can stretch those savings even further through commissary sales, digital coupons, BOGO promotions, and the “Your Everyday Savings!” program. The free Commissary Rewards Card lets you load digital manufacturer coupons to your account and have them applied when you shop. Unlike holiday promotions, the commissary grocery benefit is available year-round.
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Fred Meyer
If you live in an area served by Fred Meyer, the retailer has one of the better recurring military discounts. On the third Thursday of each month, active-duty service members, veterans, and their families receive an additional 10 percent discount on qualifying purchases.
But there’s an important limitation: the discount generally applies to participating private-label products, not everything in your cart.
Eligible grocery brands include Kroger, Fred Meyer, Simple Truth, Private Selection, and several other store brands. Many national-brand foods, along with items sold by the pound in departments such as produce, deli, bakery, meat, and seafood, are excluded. You can also use savings on some qualifying nonfood products.
Weis Markets
Weis Markets offers a grocery discount for the military community. Active-duty personnel, reservists, retirees, and vets save 10 percent every Thursday on Weis-brand products.
You’ll need a Weis Rewards Card to use the discount. Take the card and your service ID to the customer service desk, where an employee will link your discount to your rewards account. After that, scan your Weis Rewards Card to receive savings. Because the offer applies specifically to participating Weis-brand merchandise, it won’t knock cash off every product in your cart. Still, it provides regular savings if you buy the chain’s brand.
Tempo by Home Chef
After verifying your status through ID.me, you’ll receive 50 percent off your first box and 10 percent off recurring boxes. The offer is limited to new customers, and additional restrictions may apply.
Omaha Steaks
Omaha Steaks offers $10 off your order after you verify your status. You’ll need to spend at least $79 to receive the discount.
Thrive Market
Vets receive a free one-year Thrive Market membership after verifying their eligibility. You’ll need to create an account and agree to its terms of service, privacy policy, and email communications when signing up.
Sam’s Club
Service members can join Sam’s Club for $20 after verification. The offer is limited to new members and isn’t available to current members, renewals, or anyone who had a Sam’s Club membership within the previous 24 months. The membership renews each year automatically at the regular rate.
Sam’s Club gives active-duty and retired service members, along with their spouses, $10 in Sam’s Cash for renewing their membership. Renew online or at a Sam’s Club location. The reward gets credited to your account within six weeks.
Hello Fresh
Save 55 percent on your first Hello Fresh box and get free shipping on that order, then get 15 percent off their next 51 boxes. Verify eligibility through ID.me or GovX to claim the offer.
Every Plate
EveryPlate extends its Hero Discount to active-duty service members and veterans, starting with 65 percent off your first box and free shipping. After that, you’ll save 15 percent on the following 51 boxes. ID.me or GovX verification is required.
Green Chef
Green Chef gives military members and veterans a year of discounted meal-kit deliveries. The savings start with 65 percent off your first box and free shipping, followed by 15 percent off the next 51 boxes. You’ll need to confirm your eligibility through ID.me or GovX.
Factor Meals
Military members get 55% off their first Factor box and 15% off the next 51 boxes. (The first box also ships free!) The offer is available to new customers and former customers who canceled more than one day before using the discount.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
BJ’s cuts the cost of membership for active-duty service members, veterans, and other eligible members of the military community. New members pay $25 for a one-year BJ’s Club membership, normally $60, and receive a $10 reward. The higher-tier Club+ membership costs $50 instead of $120 and includes a $20 reward. The reward is added to your account within 24 hours and must be used within 30 days.
Veterans Day Discounts
Many grocers who don’t offer a year-round military discount provide special savings for service members on or near Veterans Day. Promotions can include a percentage off a grocery purchase, although discounts, eligibility requirements, and participating locations vary by retailer.
Grocery Rewards Programs
Military members can also use the same grocery rewards programs available to other shoppers. Depending on the store, these programs may include digital coupons, weekly specials, fuel points, and other member offers that reduce the price of eligible purchases.
It’s also worth asking at the customer service desk. Grocery military discounts are sometimes regional or limited to particular locations, and the rules can change. Bring a valid military or veteran ID and ask whether the store offers a military discount, which days it applies, and whether you need to enroll in the store’s rewards program first.
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