WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The association that represents consumer product companies serving military commissaries and exchanges is throwing its support behind Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives to promote a healthy force.
The American Logistics Association (ALA) will work with the military commissary and exchange systems to promote events that highlight healthy products and a healthy lifestyle for military personnel, particularly at the 13 bases that DoD has identified to prototype the initiative.
The Healthy Base Initiative is an effort by the Department of Defense in concert with the White House, industry, medical communities, and participating installations.
Patrick Nixon, ALA’s President said that the ALA’s commitment “continues a long-standing policy of Association support for DoD initiatives in partnership with the resale agencies.” Nixon cited a number of instances where resale programs and the supporting industry have traditionally stepped forward to support the DoD mission, including: accommodating force structure realignments; construction at expanding bases; providing products in remote and deployed areas, including combat zones; and being a major force in employing military family members and Veterans.
Nixon cited a recently issued report that showed resale programs have a near 5 to 1 return to the DoD mission for each dollar invested and a near 20 to 1 return to the Nation. “The obesity challenge is being taken on by DoD and we pledge to do all we can to ensure that their efforts are successful,” he added.
“We will be working with the military resale agencies and major consumer products companies to hold healthy food demonstrations and sales that promote healthy products offering coupons and discounts,” said Nixon. He also stated that industry would be working with the agencies to hold health fairs at stores across the Nation.
ALA’s support also recognizes a growing trend in America toward healthy foods. “Healthy products are not only good for people they’re good for business with health-conscious products, accounting for one of the fastest growing categories in the grocery and retail industry,” said Nixon. “We also will be working to integrate and highlight existing corporate health promotion programs and events and provide more focus for these efforts within the military community,” he added.
Participating installations are Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Sill, OK; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI; Submarine Base New London, CT; Mountain Home Air Force Base, ID; Yokota Air Base, Japan; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center/Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Twentynine Palms, CA; Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA; Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, MA; March Air Reserve Base, CA; and Camp Dodge, IA. The other two participants are the Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA.; and Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, VA.
Charles Milam, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, spoke about the initiative on June 18 at the ALA’s annual Congressional Caucus and Public Policy Forum held on Capitol Hill. He told the assembly that in 2010, 85,000 service members were obese. Milam cited that one of the primary reasons for men and women being forced to leave the military is failure to meet fitness and weight standards. “Now, many are coming to us with weight problems already, because of what the nation is starting to look like,” said Milam.
The Department of Defense is reaching out to private industry and working with corporations that have developed their own health and wellness programs.
ABOUT THE ALA
The American Logistics Association (ALA) is a 90 year old trade association representing some of the largest consumer package companies and other companies that support improved quality of life for our military and their families through strong commissary, morale, welfare, and recreation programs. For more information, please visit www.ala-national.org.
