Schofield Barracks Commissary

BEWARE: Their meats, mostly chicken, goes bad or has horrible odor! Prices are great. But they are constantly changing the store around which is a pain in the butt. Parking is ridiculous. They also jack the prices up on paydays.

I didn’t always frequent the commissary because we live off base and it seemed out of the way. But just recently I started heading straight for the commissary thanks to a fellow military wife telling me I was nuts to shop anywhere else for groceries…
Well, I couldn’t be happier about the change. Our grocery bill (family of 3) declined by about $ 40. They have a good (good enough for me at least) food selection and I love that they sell 12-​packs of La Croix for less than $ 6.
I’m holding back on a couple of stars because this place is in the middle of some heavy renovation and it is an absolute zoo and maze, on a good day! Products are always being relocated… Literally on a weekly basis.
Once they get the store permanently set up, I think this place could be worthy of four stars.
Oh, and one more pro, they have a nursing room for mamas by the customer service end!

This place is atrocious. Unfortunately it’s the closest commissary due to the tyranny of distance. The one good thing about their complete incompetence is that they mislabeled shrimp and the price and we got it for like $ 2 a bag. They don’t have a lot of good produce and sometimes it doesn’t seem as fresh as the NEX or Hickam commissary food. I honestly can’t explain that, I’m pretty sure they’re the same government contract.
$ 13 for a small watermelon today was a little outrageous for commissary prices. There’s this theme with all of these government contracted companies versus places like Safeway or Foodland. For some reason, the former seems to care more about their products which means they care more about their customers.
Even their prices aren’t as good as the other commissaries. Why!!!

This location is one of the smaller commissaries are on the island. The parking situation isn’t too bad especially if you come during the down times (definitely not around payday!)
They are currently in the middle of renovations, with the meats being moved over to the freezer portion of the commissary. Yes it can be confusing, but there were signs to point you in the right direction. All of the meats were labeled (beef, pork, chicken, etc). I spoke with a cashier who shared they were trying to fix up the commissary as it was one of the busiest on the island. I thought that would have been Pearl Harbor, but any improvements I welcome!
Overall, prices are great especially with how expensive items are in Hawaii. Yes, you can find some items cheaper at Costco, and occasionally Foodland. However, for the most part it is cheaper here so be thankful for that.
#41 of 100 2015

This is my last choice of commissaries to go to on island, but since it’s close to where we live, I’ll run in to get a couple items. Times to avoid this place like the plague are 1115 – 1300 & 1700 – 1830 Mon-​Fri. They’re usually out of a lot of items and it’s a zoo in here during paydays. They’re finally revamping the place, so it’s confusing how the aisles are set up. Although it’s cheaper to buy meat here, I prefer meat from SAM’s or even Foodland. The beef always seems to have little white fatty knots in it.

I prefer this a million and one times over Foodland and Times Supermarket. It smells better and the prices are better. At first I would always forget to bring cash to tip the baggers, but I started using another card to get cash back for a tip.

Ok so I have to give the 4 star, it would be a 3 if it wasn’t for prices. They have great pricing comparing to places like Foodland, Safeway, Wal Mart and times! As a matter of fact, SOME prices are better then what we see in the mainland.
We buy most of our foods here, with the exception of meat and milk which is cheaper at Costco. We have been able to make many yummy meals from the foods they have to offer. They are very diverse in their selection, which we love.
Try to avoid coming here on pay days though, or a pay day weekend, the lines get very long. The baggers work for tips only, so don’t be a cheap-​o. If you don’t want to tip, bag yourself and go to the unlimited self checkout line or self checkout line for 15 items or less.
They accept coupons and often have coupons in the front just for military as well! :) Happy Shopping!

The lines can get ridiculously long during storms, and of course payday. AVOID visiting the commissary on pay days, merchandise always runs out quickly especially when those crazy couponers are on «the job». They have the ability to clear out the commissary shelves if allowed. The cashiers and baggers are really nice although I’ve dealt with a few rude ones, but overall this place has everything I need for the most part.

I am wondering about the reviews that «not recommended». Why is it that I cannot reply to them, deem them useful, like them, or hate them?
The attire situation that one of our fellow Unilocalers, brought up a really good point. The point was that she, as a civilian, could not enter with her (ret). father because a active duty soldier said that her attire was not appropriate. The soldier and the younger looking soldier sat on the bench with her while her Dad shopped. Along came another guy in civvies and the female soldier said to him that he couldn’t enter! … Well, this guy walks a little bit away, places a call, comes back, and a salute is exchanged.
Here’s the problem: a civilian OUTRANKS all! — Those attire guidlines have to be handled by another Civilian store manager! (Eg: :no shirt, no shoe policy”.and that issue is handled by the state police, even if on federal property. Even if you live in housing, no MP can enter without a warrant. Because the inside of your home is contracted by civilian owners. But the outside, that’s different. On Federal land, but they HAVE TO CALL HPD for civilian matters and hand you over!
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! !!!

IMPORTANT:
You need a military ID to PAY for the groceries! This commissary is one of the few that allows guest. (A guest is someone who does not have a military ID.) You are allowed to bring in 2 guest. You need a valid ID to get on post and inside the commissary.
Location:
They are located inside Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa across from the PX. There are tons of parking at this commissary but it gets very crowded during pay day weekend.
Meats:
I always hear people complaining about the meats going bad but I freeze my meats once I get home and defrost a few hours before I cook it so I don’t have a meat problem from here. I also buy frozen chicken and have not had any problems.
Fruits/​Vegetables:
It is cheaper than other grocery stores except the banana. Banana is cheaper at Costco. The quality of the produce is good.
Merchandise:
Cheap, cheap, cheap. Peanut butter, milk, packaged cookies, oil, bread, deli meat and just about everything is cheaper than the other grocery stores.
Baggers:
PLEASE tip them! They only work for tips. They bag your groceries and can take them to your car. I tip $ 2 when I take my own groceries to the car and $ 5 when they help with my groceries. I tip $ 5 when my groceries are over $ 100.
Peak Times:
They are crazy busy around the Active Duty military’s pay day. Most servicemen get paid near a weekend so we call it pay day weekend. This is a VERY busy time to come grocery shopping. The 1^st and the 15^th weekends are when to avoid if you hate crowds.
Renovations:
They are currently renovating the dairy section and everything on that end of the commissary.
Overall, the commissary is the first place we shop for groceries whether it’s this location or the Pearl Harbor location. We shop here because it’s more affordable than the grocery stores closer to home.

Great selection of different foods including International (German, Italian). Usually very clean. Would like a bigger selection of organic vegetables. Oh also, great selection of healthy foods including vegetarian/​vegan selections! I’m very happy with this commissary! Download the app for coupons!

Prices are okay, vegetable selection is good dairy and meat selection is rather nice sea food selection is dismal and you can’t go in on your way to the beach or gym due to dress code restrictions. I dislike shopping here and avoid it usually.

I wouldn’t be able to survive on this island without the commissary. My first day here, my husband took me to Safeway and I about had a heart attack with the prices. I was in sticker shock, coming from Texas where chicken breast is $ 1.30 lb. The commissary has great prices and a huge selection. This one in particular is better then the Texas location I used to frequent and regular stores in California. With that said, I am quite pleased. I’ve been here on all different days and times in search of the best time to shop. The conclusion, avoid Friday’s, weekends and first day after military is paid. Best time to shop, 9:30 — 11:30 am, 1 – 3:30pm.
They have a wide selection of vegetables and fruits and an organic section, often with managers specials. When you first enter to the right are the seasonal items and Hawaiian local treats. I have always had good luck at the seafood counter with fresh Mahi. Also, there’s a secret meat freezer with frozen marked down meats from a couple days ago. But leave me some of the carne asada!
The only thing I don’t like is the surcharge added on top of your bill. Commissary is tax free. But how they get you is the surcharge is the exact same amount of the items if taxed. Not fooling me, I see what’s going on here. Also the bagger situation is really weird to me. I’ve lived in California for over 20 years and you don’t tip the baggers. They are just doing their job. Here, they have a line out the door of people waiting to bag and two people load your groceries. I found out they do not get paid and rely on tips. I don’t carry cash and now have to get cash to give them or else feel bad. Commissary, can you please hire some of these kids so the awkwardness can stop? Other then those minor issues I love coming here. I also found out there is a dress code to shop. And one guest per military ID. Everyone must have ID to enter.

I love this commissary. Yes, it’s super busy– but that’s only because the prices are the best on the island. The rotisserie chicken is cheaper off base, but I have found nothing else comparable price wise. If you coupon, you’ll love going here. I’ve never had any issues, and there’s always coupons available on the aisle. The selection is pretty legit, and the produce is pretty great.

The ONLY commisary on Oahu that will allow guests! (: If Im doing errands with a friend or family member with out an military ID they can come along inside instead of waiting outside. NEX Commissary, Hickam Commissary use to allow that many years ago but Im not sure what happened. Best to come early mornings and late nights. Every pay day, third and fourth day of the month is always busy. Plus all the items are literally gone on those type of days. Not as many products like NEX but it will do if Im with a guest and that side of the island. (:

This is my least favorite commisary to go to even though it’s the closest to where I live. They always have a lot of items out of stock, it’s always busy and crowded with many rude impatient customers you run into when your at unlimited self checkout line. Not to mention the rude workers who work at the express checkout lines! I made two separate transaction because I forgot 1 item in my basket & this female worker made a loud comment that was so unnecessary & was referring to me! Like really! I’m a paying customer! I prefer going to Hickam, MCHB and Pearl Harbor Commissary to go shopping. Everyone is a lot friendlier & have more items in stock.

I am fortunate enough to have commissary privileges – so there’s your one star.
the second star is for having a wide variety of items.
The three missing stars?
RUDE employees
RUDE employees
RUDE employees
Extremely rude – I have never had to lunge across the table to tip someone and then have him roll his eyes at me and literally throw my money down. Really? This isn’t the first time it’s happened. I mean, tipping two dollars for bagging less than $ 100 worth of items is pretty good.
I once got yelled at because the sign at the registers tells the customer to tell the cashiers if you want to take out your own groceries. So of course, I tell the cashier. She yells at me, telling me that I need to tell the baggers – that she doesn’t have anything to do with my cart. Wow.
I have only had one or two experiences where the employees smile at me or even so much as look me in the eye. I don’t understand. They make more than regular civilian institution minimum wage employees so why the rudeness? If it weren’t for the prices I’d never go back. There are some serious management issues and it needs to get taken care of immediately. I am livid every single time I walk out of that place.

Prices are no less expensive than the rest of the stores on island and the quality elsewhere is better, as well as you can find more natural, organic and many more health foods elsewhere.
The staff is not very polite, but rather show in their attitude how much they dislike their job. And there are never enough lanes open, causing you to spend the majority of your time in store waiting to check out.

My first visit here last week turned out pleasant, and I’m a civilian with no idea how commissaries work. Luckily I was the only guest to accompany my boyfriend and we were on a huge shopping spree for the week. We bought tons of stuff, and I was glad they had Asian sauces, bundles of meat (and bacon), and an ample supply for produce. Though the produce was a little more expensive than I anticipated, the meat wasn’t so bad. A whole tray of cut chicken thighs was about $ 5, fully stuffed into its package, and although the label read «Use or freeze by» the next day, that’s exactly what I did: use or freeze by the next day. Noo problem. A pack of thick applewood bacon was less than $ 5, which would typically turn out to be $ 10 outside. My boyfriend vouches that the deli sandwiches are also THE bomb. I thought this would be like the PX, but it’s actually a legit grocery store!
Nonetheless, the line wasn’t long at all on that Thursday afternoon, and we both found it peculiar that all our bags were packed and ready to be rolled out by the helper. I was completely oblivious to the tipping etiquette, but had told our young, helpful helper that we’d be able to roll it out to our car. It was a hot day and she was already of good service to us by being friendly.
The reviews I read were entertaining, and I’m really glad I was able to follow all the dress code rules, lucky enough to get in, and next time I’ll be sure to re-​read the tips.

This commissary is in a beautiful location, in a cooler elevation too, so not as hot. It’s pretty much the same as every other commissary I have shopped at. This one happens to be a bit smaller but it was nice, and not as crowed as the Pearl Harbor location.
I have never seen soldiers out front of a commissary enforcing dress codes before but they do here. Kinda odd but good too, because I don’t always care to see pants hanging below butt cheeks on guys or butt cheeks hanging out of the shorts on girls.
They didn’t seem to happy having to stand this watch, slouching and looking unhappy. You should always stand your watch, regardless of your watch, the best you can!