US Lawmakers Urge More Kosher and Halal Foods in Military Commissaries

Military grocery stores must expand their offerings of Kosher Halal Foods to better serve service members and their families with religious dietary requirements urged two congressional lawmakers in a recent letter to the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) stressed the importance of providing more certified kosher and halal options, emphasizing that the current selection is inadequate and poorly promoted.

“Tens of thousands of commissary beneficiaries adhere to religious dietary rules, yet the availability of certified kosher and halal foods is limited,” the lawmakers wrote to DeCA Director John Hall. They argued that this shortfall undermines the military’s commitment to diversity and could deter individuals from these religious backgrounds from serving in the armed forces.

Kosher foods adhere to Jewish dietary laws, while halal foods are permissible under Islamic law. Both require strict compliance in terms of ingredients and preparation. For example, kosher and halal certifications exclude pork and shellfish and mandate that animals be slaughtered in a specific manner. These foods must also be processed in compliant facilities and approved by religious authorities such as the Orthodox Union.

The availability of kosher and halal foods in commissaries is crucial for Jewish and Muslim service members to maintain their dietary practices without additional financial or logistical burdens. Pressley and Houlahan highlighted that the lack of such options forces many to spend extra money to ship groceries from specialty stores or limits their dietary choices significantly.

Commissaries operate 235 grocery stores on military bases worldwide, offering discounted groceries to the military community. However, the lack of kosher and halal foods remains a significant concern. Service members have reported difficulties in accessing these foods, leading to unnecessary challenges in maintaining their dietary practices.

Pressley and Houlahan called for urgent action to address this issue. They recommended that DeCA collaborates with service members and their families to better advertise the availability of kosher and halal items, incorporate these foods into meal solutions and promotions, and ensure their availability during religious holidays.

The lawmakers’ push for better access to kosher and halal foods has received endorsements from key organizations, including the National Military Family Association (NMFA) and the American Logistics Association (ALA). Besa Pinchotti, NMFA Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Military families need access to healthy, familiar food no matter where they live in the world. Access to food that adheres to their religious dietary requirements is equally important.”

Steve Rossetti, president of the ALA, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for commissaries to represent all consumer tastes and preferences, including religious dietary options. He noted that the commissary agency dedicates significant shelf space to accommodate local tastes and preferences, including products from small businesses.

The military has made efforts to accommodate religious dietary needs in various settings, such as on ships and during deployments. The Defense Logistics Agency, for instance, provides kosher and halal Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) to ensure compliance with religious diets. Additionally, the Army has recently reviewed rules around the Basic Allowance for Subsistence stipend, addressing concerns about deductions for meals when religious accommodations are not provided.

Pressley and Houlahan’s advocacy highlights the ongoing need for inclusivity within the military’s food services. By expanding the availability of kosher and halal foods in commissaries, the military can better support the diverse dietary needs of its service members, reinforcing its commitment to diversity and respect for all religious practices.

This push for more kosher and halal foods in commissaries reflects a broader effort to ensure that all service members can maintain their faith while serving their country. With continued advocacy and support from key organizations, there is hope for significant improvements in the availability and promotion of these essential food options in military grocery stores.