I have a milk allergic toddler, is there any way a civilian can shop on a military base and just pay more?

Question

I relocated to Germany 3 months ago and found that most all of their foods have either milk or nuts, it seems like no one in this country is allergic to anything! Even their infant rice cereal has milk! My father-in-law is in the army but in NY and can't get out here for another several months to help us out.

Is there any way a civilian can purchase things off a base but pay more money and pay tax?

I need things like Gerber rice cereal, honey graham crackers & quaker oatmeal. I have tried 3 different international food web sites and many grocery stores. Any ideas?

Answer 1

My husband was in the Army, and we relocated to Germany for 3 years.  That's were we learned that my son was allergic to milk.  You can buy soy milk on the economy anywhere, but your best bet might be a Korean grocery store.  If there's one still near you, try Wal-Mart.  They had American name brand stuff there, too.  You could find graham crackers anywhere!

Also, even though it sounds crazy, go to a Toys R Us.  Their baby section is really good, and some have food that you can give to your baby.  I know it's not food, but the store brand wipes are also the best I've ever used!

If you can't find what you need, then you can always have friends and family send care packages with the crackers, cookies and such to you.  Also, see if your father-in-law can claim you as a dependent so you can get a military ID card and then you will be able to shop on post.

If not, then have your father-in-law get in touch with his unit's FRG (Family Readiness Group) and tell them your situation and what you need.  I'm betting that you will be up to your eyeballs in stuff from the commisary in no time flat!!  Just let those soilders wives find out that there are little children needing something.  The spouses will rally up for you, no doubt!!

Also, the guy above me is full of ****.  The MPs would not care at all if someone with an ID card went in and got something for you.  It's not like they search folks bags when they leave!!!

Answer 2

hi im german, i dont know if you heard about "bio-laden" (organic food store), "alnatura" (organic foods supermarket) or "reformhaus". if you speak german go there, the stuff is pricier than regular food, but of very good quality and youll find a lot of things for allergic babies, children and adults. if you dont speak german, most germans speak english just go there and try if you can explain the sales agents what you need. also, depending on where you live i might know some soldiers that might help you out by signing you in on post and go shopping with you. my boyfriend could do that or some friends we have in the us military who are stationed here in germany. we live in the mainz/wiesbaden area. good luck :)

Answer 3

You might contact the American embasy there and get a special pass that allows you on base to shop for your child.

Answer 4

all these items could be bought in the states and sent to you in a care package, fed ex, postal service

Answer 5

I would try a decent sized German pharmacy - I could imagine that they would have allergy food and if they don't they might be able to tell you where you might get lucky finding something suitable.

Good luck!

Answer 6

your best bet is the have someone mail what you need from the states. you can't shop on base. or a Military friend can do this for you.

Answer 7

Kristy, sorry but you can't.  It has to do with the German customs and taxes (Zoll).  Only people with logistic support ID Cards can shop on the bases.  Retired US Military who are in Germany without logistic support can enter a base, but may not shop onpost.  The exception is if the retired person is registerd as living in Germany and gets a customs card from German Zoll.  They may then shop in the commisary (grocerie store) but once a month they have to report to Zoll and pay tax on the food they bought.

Like stated by others locate a "Reform Haus" (Natural Products store) and they have that type of speciality foods.  Also if it is just a Lactose problem I know that larger Edeka or E-Center stores have lactose free milk and soy milk.  My daughter has lactose intollerance.

Or if near a military base try to find an ID card holder that would help you out.  Problem is if they get caught by customs or the MP's they are in serious trouble.

Good luck and Happy Holidays

Answer 8

Only Military and their families can shop at the PX or commissary. If you have a friends (ID Card holder) they can take you their. If not, sorry it is not possible.

By the Germans you can go to the "Reform Haus" you can find there products, if you allergic to some food or items. Look in the phone book, this stores are everywhere in Germany.

Answer 9

dry out " Reformhäuser" or other biological stores!

Answer 10

No u they dont let u shop there.

Ur can Dad buy u what ever u need and sends it to u.(will be expensive)

U cant order online from the States anything case u dont have an Military APO Address in Germany.

The other Way would be making Friends with someone in the Military and them get them to buy it for u,but that would be mean case u would use them.

add

here r some Online Shops were u can order milk allergic products

http://www.prov-international.com/

http://www.aktivplus.org/component/optio...

http://www.blauer-planet.de/overture.php...

http://laktonova.de/shop/assets/s2dmain....

http://www.allsana.de/

Answer 11

Only authorized patrons. In other words Active Duty Military, their family members who have a military ID, Retired Military and their family members or civilians who work on post and have an government issued DOD card. If you know someone who has an ID and they are willing to buy those things for you then that would be the only other way to get the items from the Commisary or Exchange.

Have you tried Amazon or eBay? Or try talking to a health care professional, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Answer 12

Only military personel can shop at the PX. You might be able to shop there if you are a civilian working on base, but you have to have a Military ID.

Have you tried directly to the Gerber web site www.gerber.com  

Find a local pediatrician, and ask where to get the type of formula you need.

You might try looking for organic food stores. Contact the embasy and see if they are familiar with local sources.

Last have your family send you baby food from here and powdered soy formula .