Exchange’s Grunstadt Bakery, Water Plant Ramp Up Production Through COVID-19

The Exchange Grunstadt plant produced more than 125,000 buns and 31,500 tortillas—25% more than usual—as well as 800,000 liters of bottled water—roughly 10 times the usual amount—the week of March 23.

As demand for certain products increases throughout Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Exchange’s Grunstadt bakery and water plant in Germany are ramping up production to continue serving the military community.

The Exchange Grunstadt plant produced more than 125,000 buns and 31,500 tortillas—25% more than usual—as well as 800,000 liters of bottled water—roughly 10 times the usual amount—the week of March 23.

The Kaiserslautern Defense Commissary Agency upped its usual order for water, frozen buns and tortillas to meet shopper demand.

The Exchange operates bakeries in Germany, Japan, Korea and on Okinawa to support combat readiness and provide service members and families with a taste of home.

The Exchange operates bakeries in Germany, Japan, Korea and on Okinawa to support combat readiness and provide service members and families with a taste of home. Baked goods—bread, tortillas, buns and more—made with American ingredients, are shipped to Express stores, restaurants, commissaries, Department of Defense schools and other agencies.

“We’re working to provide our Warfighters and their families with the baked goods and bottled water they need,” said Exchange Food Plant Operations Manager Don Henson. “The Exchange is mission essential and military communities rely on us. We’re honored to deliver what they need during this difficult time.”