Crispy Bacon said:
Judging by the first document, I'm not sure even they understand what a canteen is:
To me, that sounds like a cafeteria or corner store; not a Cpl on a TCAT who wants to sell some pop and chips for a few months while he's on light duties (which is typically who staffs a canteen).
You want to look in CFP 110 for the guidelines. I believe that the "threshold" is something like $100.00 in sales per year. What's to stop you from doing this? Simple, your CO. A "Canteen" is definied as "Canteen – an NPP activity that is not part of CANEX, is run by full or part-time staff, has posted hours of operations, purchases at wholesale and sells at retail, and collects and remits tax." Oh and YES, you do have to collect "TAX" and also account for and remit that as part of the operation.
You can set it up. But at some point in time, PSP or your local Compt Office will get wind of it, they always do and then your CO will be called to task and asked why a Canteen is being operated within their unit lines and who authorized it.
So unless you want to do it by the book, it's pretty much not worth the effort. I have belonged to units/sections that ran "small" canteens, selling coffee, pop, chips, etc. That was until the Canteen Police shut it down.
And just what was it that created this downward spiral you ask?
"2602.5 Unregulated Activities and Internal Competition. A 1997 Chief of Review Services audit found that a significant number of re-sale outlets (Unit canteens, wet canteens and „stand easys‟) were operating outside the bounds of departmental policy. They were neither operating IAW the rules and regulations governing public and NPP support for military activities nor were they in compliance with the departmental provision of services policy (DNDP 55). In January 1998, the CDS directed that all activities that take place on Bases / Wings / Units are to be conducted as part of the Defence Services Program within the Public accountability framework, or as a properly authorized NPP activity as part of a national NPP program (such as CANEX, SISIP FS) or under the Base / Wing / Unit Fund, mess or museum and accounted for within the NPP accountability framework. Any other activities were to cease (e.g. Unit canteens). At the same time, the CDS directed that internal NPP competition was to be minimized, that is, NPP entities were not to establish programs and activities in competition with other, existing or national NPP programs and activities. It is important that an appropriate balance be struck between serving our members and generating revenue so that Base / Wing / Unit funds can continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life in military communities."
