It is known as the center of the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) community, and the excellence experienced by YPG Commissary customers is recognized at the highest levels of the Department of Defense (DeCA).

The store was recently named second best small retailer in DeCA’s Richard M. Padgett Awards. There are a total of 236 stores in the DeCA system.

Manager Jason Mead attributes the store’s success to the excellent teamwork and flexibility of its nine staff.

“We all learn every aspect of the store,” he said. “People who are going to be store employees may have to go to the cash register or go back to stock up on produce or meat.

Prices for a wide range of items intended for use by soldiers and their families, veterans, and injured or disabled veterans are significantly lower than private sector grocery stores.

“We are mandated by Congress to set prices below the economic conditions outside the market,” Mead said. “Depending on the day of the week, we compare the prices of basic commodities like milk, eggs, and ground beef, and our prices are well below those.”

The store prides itself on the freshness of its meats and produce, and even though it’s far from the post office, it makes two deliveries a week.

“We treat our customers as we would like to be treated,” Meade said. “The people who come through our door are the most valuable customers in the world. They benefit from this and need to be treated as such.”

The store is known for its customer service, and is especially popular with the large number of retirees who spend the winter at YPG travel camps and shop at the concession stand. During the winter, these people make up about a third of the store’s customers.

“We know most of our customers,” said store employee Gabriel Navarro. “Anyone who comes for the first time, we usually try to make them feel welcome and let them know that if there is something they are looking for that we do not carry, we are happy to bring it. To Yuma, and we want to ensure the best diversity possible.”

The stall is small, so it’s open every day except Mondays. Unless there is a significant increase in customers, this situation will continue for a while.

“We have to keep taxpayers’ money tight,” Mead said. “Currently he has 10 employees, of which 2 are managers. will become necessary.”

Meade says the warmth of the employees applies equally to YPG’s customers.

“It was the warmest welcome I’ve had anywhere I’ve been, not just because of the weather,” he said. “The heartfelt warmth I’ve received here is unbelievable.”