Grocery

Customer Question: Amazake brown rice drink. Thanks.  
Co-op Answer: Thank you for your input! We have tried the Amazake beverages in the past and they did not sell well for us, so I don’t believe we will bring them back.  If we see enough requests for them, we might try to bring them back.  -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q:  Why not sell mexi- Coca-Cola in the glass bottle.  No HFCS , no junk, original formula.  You already sell Coca-Cola “owned” products…
A: Thank you for your input! We are unlikely to bring in anything branded as Coca-Cola or any of their other sodas, unless there was a serious demand from our customers.  I would recommend the Blue Sky Cola and will also look into bringing in the Maine Root Cola in glass bottles. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Middlebury Chocolates 100% Cacao, no sugar bars.
A: Thank you for your input! We are not currently bringing in new product but I will certainly keep this on the list for when we next reset our chocolate and candy section in January. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Please look into getting Method refills on the all purpose cleaner. Thanks!
A: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately the only Method refill options our distributor is currently carrying are only for the shower cleaners.  I will let them know our customers are looking for all purpose cleaner refills. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Why do you no longer stock the Vermont Switchel Co.? This was one of the only places I could find this healthy, traditional, locally made drink.  Can it come back? Thanks. 
A: Thank you for your input! The Vermont Switchel was removed from our case durring a recent category management. Unfortunately, it sold very slowly and there were many requests for new grab and go drinks, so we decided to remove it.  You may still special order this item by the case and receive a discount. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Can you put ginger kombucha back?
A: Thank you for your input! I have reached out to our Aqua Vitea distributor and they plan to put it back as soon as another flavor sells out. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Can you carry Chocolate Hollow Chocolates? The only place I can find them in Montpelier is Uncommon Market.  Locally made, vegan, and delicious!
A: Thank you for input! This brand looks fantastic! I will certainly reach out to them and consider it when we reset this section in January. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Aqua Vitea Chai CBD kombucha and Gunpowder CBD kombucha please.
A: Thank you for your input! We currently have a moratorium on CBD products in Grocery while we get a handle on everything.  When that ends, we will consider adding this to our beverage set. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Wellness

Q: Can you look into carrying Ricola brand Glacier Mint cough drops? They are very therapeutic and taste amazing. Cannot find up here, got in Woodstock, VT.
A: I appreciate your suggestion.  We are not able to bring this in right now due to space constraints, however, we are able to special order this product. -Laura, Wellness Manager

Q: Nix on soy Channukah candles – ugh! They don’t work (can’t melt them to fit menorah) and hard to clean – wax please! 
A: Thank you for the feedback. We have offered a beeswax option from Sunbeam. Please let me know if you would like help finding it in the future. -Laura, Wellness Manager

Q: Eco-dent makes dental floss on a cardboard dispenser – perhaps we should offer this?
A: We carry Eco-dent dental floss and it has a cardboard dispenser.  Please let me know if you would like help locating it. -Laura, Wellness Manager

Food Services

Q:  Why do I have to buy deli meat in single-use plastic bags? Have you decided they are more environmentally friendly than waxed paper?
A: You do not have to buy deli meats in plastic bags.  We do present them in waxed paper when sliced to order.  In grab and go they are in plastic to more easily identify the item and its quality to our customers and to minimize air exposure which degrades it as well.  -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: The hot deli bar is really clean and appetizing! Great job.
A: Thanks for the kind words! Glad you enjoyed it. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: What happened to mac and cheese? I rarely see it.  
A: We still serve it at least once a week, the day changes. 
-Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Green veggies = good for you. Hot ones on a cold day are nice.  There were none today.  Gold beans does not equal green.
A: Agreed! Thanks. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: 1 – Reduce plastic by wrapping to go sandwiches in non-plastic wrapping.  2 – Reduce Waste packaging by providing may and mustard in squeeze bottles. 
A: 1 – We are going to test some different wrapping with our grab and go sandwiches to see if our customers are comfortable purchasing a sandwich they can’t see (waxed paper). 2 – Where would these squeeze bottles live and aren’t they also wasteful? -Doug, Prepared Food Manager

General

Q: Would you consider doing cooking classes for the members?
A: Certainly.  We don’t have a demonstration kitchen but there may be an opportunity to do simple things in our community room or partner with another organization at an offsite location. -Kari, General Manager

Q: The positive member/customer service attitude has been very evident lately.  Folks very responsive to questions. Thank you!
A: Thank you! We are glad you noticed this and appreciate the positive feedback. -Kari, General Manager

Q: Can you change the suggestion board it’s been the same for like two months.
A: Done. -Emma, Customer Service Rep

Q: I’ve noticed that there is no music playing in the Co-op ever not even in the seating area for lunch…why?
A: I don’t think our Co-op has ever played music in the customer areas, which some appreciate and others dislike.  In my experience, music can lead to divides type, how long, who chooses, and so on.  The quiet can be nice for shopping and working. -Kari, General Manager