Bigger Tab for Military Families? [AUDIO]

Grocery stores for military families, also known as commissaries, are dealt a big blow in the latest budget plan from the Department of Defense.

The $1.4 billion annual subsidy devoted to the stores within the U.S. and overseas would be cut by $1 billion over three years.

A family of four can save more than $4,500 per year by shopping regularly at one of the special stores, according to the Defense Commissary Agency.

"They can have a savings of up to 30 percent on their groceries, which comes in really handy when you're living on a military paycheck," said Kathleen Moakler, government relations director for the National Military Family Association. "They're talking about having it go down to a 10 percent savings."

There are currently three commissary locations in the Garden State.

In addition to cutting down on grocery savings, the budget proposal would also put a cap on military raises next year and trim the housing allowance for families who don't live on military bases.

"All of these together have a cumulative effect that is really severe for our military families," Moakler said.