Commissary stocks new items based on shoppers' requests Published Nov. 2, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Frank Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- New items are on the Vance Commissary shelves because shoppers are using "patron communication status reports" available in the store. "If you'll buy it, I'll stock it," said Sheila Gilbert, the store director at the Commissary. The patron communication status report forms are used to suggest new items for the Commissary. Once submitted, they are immediately processed. "We have five days to get back to the person who fills them out to let them know if we can stock the item or not," said Gilbert. When patrons submit a request, they should write or attach the item's Universal Product Code to the form to ensure the proper item is stocked. The UPC is the number underneath the barcode of a product. "Some standards are required to get items stocked," said Gilbert. Before the Commissary can stock an item, they have to make sure the product is under government contract and there is a distributer in the area. "The products have to be under government contract for safety reasons," said Gilbert. "That way we know the facilities are inspected regularly for cleanliness." Once a product is cleared, it takes approximately two weeks for it to hit the shelves. Since the briefing, there have been new items added to the store's inventory, to include new juices, hash brown potatoes, more variety of frozen pies, new kinds of crackers and baby formula. "Even if there isn't room on the self, I will still stock it in the warehouse for people as long as they buy it," said Gilbert. "Because everything is sold at cost, items that don't sell have to be taken off the shelves." The forms are located at the entrance of the store by the electric shopping carts and near the exit by the self-checkout counters. For assistance ask an employee. For more information call the Commissary office, 213-7788.