Grocery

Customer Question: Do you carry (sell) or can you have available reusable non-plastic produce sack?
Co-op Answer: Thank you for your input! We do carry a couple of options for non-plastic produce bags. We carry Eco-bags (untreated cotton bags) and Vejibags (organic terry cotton bags) in multiple sizes. These can currently be found in our housewares section. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: A good idea would be to sell produce bags in different sizes – they do so at Hanover Co-op.
A: Thank you for your input! We regularly carry Eco-bags which are unbleached, untreated cotton and come in three sizes. We also carry Vejibags – US made, organic cotton in three sizes, which are good for storing produce and also keeping certain fruits and veggies fresh. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: You asked for a specific Kevita flavor : Hibiscus Berry
A: Thank you for you input! Unfortunately this flavor is no longer available from Kevita. I am going to add the Kevita Watermelon Rose probiotic beverage to our set, as that is the newest fruity flavor that is different from what we already carry. Keep an eye out for it on our shelves in the next month. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Do you have Rugged Ridge maple syrup? It is the best!
A: Thank you for your input! We do not currently carry this brand of maple syrup. The space in our maple syrup set is currently full and we would not be able to bring in a new producer without dropping one of our current producers. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: It is very difficult to find a low-carb tortilla wrap in this area. Has the Co-op explored stocking a low-carb/low-calorie tortilla wrap? I would buy in bulk.
A: Thank you for your input! We are planning to bring in the NuCo coconut wraps (70 calories, 6g carbs) in the next month. We also currently carry the Siete wraps in frozen (65-100 calories and 10-12 g carbs, depending on the flavor). -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Can you guys get the large bottle of Synergy kombucha “Mystic Mango”. Thank you.
A: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately, this flavor is not currently available from our distributor in the 48 oz size. We are hoping to add a new flavor of this size in the next month, most likely the Guava Goddess. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: It would be wonderful for those of us closely watching our blood sugar if you could get in “Quest” protein chips – they have types that are like potato and nacho without the blood sugar damage. Thanks!
A: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately our distributor only carries the Quest bars. If you are looking for a low-carb chip, I recommend Beanitos, Siete, The Real Coconut or our Parmesan Crisp Crackers. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Loved the beef and chicken ramen packages you had in last week – would love more!
A: Thank you for your input! I also love the Mike’s Mighty Good ramen. We brought in the ramen cups (which can also be found in the soup aisle). I am planning to bring in the ramen packs regularly as well – it will just take a little more work to make room over there. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Is there any way to make sure similar products have per unit comparison in the same unit? For instance, sauerkraut in pounds vs. ounces.
A: Thank you for you input! Unfortunately, this is a legal requirement set by the state – we have to comply with the labeling on the product (whether it is oz for dry ounces or fl oz for fluid ounces) and shelf tags must match that. I apologize for the inconvenience in the price comparison shopping. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Can you get spare caps for the reusable bottles? I would pay.
A: Thank you for your input! I will check with our distributor for these items to see if it is possible to bring them in. If we can, we definitely will. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Green tea ice cream, sorbet, mochi – basically anything cold, sweet and green tea flavored.
A: Thank you for your input! We have tried some of this items in the past and did not have success with them. We have not tried a green tea mochi before, and there is currently a clean option available from our distributor. We will give this a try! -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: I feel I waste so much with all my frozen mango purchases. Any chance they come in bigger packages (like the spinach)?
A: Thank you for your input! Currently we do not have space to carry these large bags regularly, but there are a couple options for special orders. If you would like to explore that option, please contact Chadd Besaw, our special orders coordinator ([email protected]).

Q: Can you get Kashi Nuggets (or Nutty Nuggets)? Breakfast cereal (like Grapenuts)? Thanks.
A: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately, it appears that Kashi has discontinued their Nugget ceral. Currently we haven’t been able to find a replacement but I am constantly on the lookout. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Wish the Co-op would bring back the sprouted grain bagels that were in the freezer section.
A: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately, our freezer space is extremely limited and this product was discontinued due to slow sales. You may special order this item by the case and receive a case discount. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: I would love it if you could order Keto Cups – preferably the coconut coffee ones.
A: Thank you for your input! We currently carry two flavors of this brand’s coconut cups, but I will plan to add at least one flavor of the Keto Cups as well. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Please carry Lance GF peanut butter crackers.
A: Thank you for your input! We will not be bringing this item in as of now, but we will definitely keep it in mind for our cracker reset planned for April 4th. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Wellness

Q: Please carry Amelia’s organic legware.
A: Thank you for the suggestion. This is something we will consider in the future if we run into an issue with our sock/underwear provider. -Laura, Wellness Manager

Q: I appreciate all the Mega Food supplements. Please also order the B Complex which are methylated. Thank you.
A: Thank for your suggestion. The only B-complex that Megafood has is the one we carry. Megafood has a B12 product that is methylated -it’s with our other B vitamins. -Laura, Wellness Manager

Food Services

Q: I would like to see cheese wrapper in paper.
A: We are using cheese paper for some cheese. Please let us know if there is a particular cheese that you want wrapped in cheese paper and we will wrap it for you. Thanks! -Bibi, Cheese Buyer

Q: Yikes deli – garlic in so many of the choices today. Not everyone can eat it.
A: Yes, so days are heavier in some ingredients than others based on the theme – Italian (garlic), Asian (soy), Indian (curry), though we do try to generally minimize those things when we can. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Please offer hot green veggies at deli every day…daily greens are good for a body…starchy vegetables are not the same thing.
A: Understood, we will do better! -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Why are the puddings in glass jars now? It upped the price and I think everyone has enough mason jars.
A: We have had numerous requests to use less plastic / single use packaging in our offerings and the pudding was a natural opportunity to explore this. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: 1) Chose different deli decaf coffee, 2) add some nonfat yogurt/dairy (cornish diet), 3) stay wonderful!
A: Thanks for the feedback. Do you have any particular decaf coffee you are a fan of? Please stop by the deli and let me know. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: You should offer Croquembuche please.
A: This is not something we will be offering – typically this is a holiday display item when/where it is offered. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Mousse please!
A: We do offer three types of pudding including chocolate! -Doug, Prepared0 Foods Manager

Q: Love the new pudding in glass desserts but am wondering why you don’t take the glass back. The cafe dishes are washed an reused, why can’t these also be?
A: We will take them back – they can be left in the deli bus tubs – and reuse as we can. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Please (pretty please) bring back your wheat puffs – you were the only place in VT that made them – so yummy!
A: I believe this was a value added item from an external vendor that is no longer in business. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: The green lettuce at the salad bar has been really good for awhile – a big improvement over the past. However, today it was really rough with lots of little pieces that should have been culled out (Monday, Mar 4, 2019).
A: Thanks for the feedback – while I am sorry we didn’t meet your expectations or our standards, your comment helps in our ongoing training efforts. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: I wonder if you could avoid the two-way conflict at the hot bar? Those eating in go from left to right while those taking out go from right to left. The clashes are not good for community peace. Could all plates and containers be on the same side?
A: I understand your frustration. Unfortunately the bar cannot effectively hold all the to go and eat in vessels on one side nor could we effectively police direction once our guests secured a vessel. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Bring back the old deli. Dump the plastic container array of foods.
A: That is one I will bring up with the powers that be but I imagine any renovation would be cost prohibitive.

General

Q: Please make member coupons automatic!
A: We try to make it easy to redeem the coupon but like other coupon programs, it is designed in part to encourage folks to choose to shop more often at our co-op. Making the coupon automatic would not encourage that choice. -Kari, General Manager

Q: In the survey you said you might get rid of paper bags. Any thoughts about getting rid of plastic?
A: Completely eliminating plastic would be a dramatic change for operations and customers. We continue to consider ways to reduce our use of plastic such as our switch to wooden straws and to-go flat ware. Charging for paper bags was the most frequent response in our survey. -Kari, General Manager

Q: Any plans for more parking? I used to like to come here for a quick lunch but now there is never space in the lot and lots of cars circling so I had to give it up.
A: Unfortunately we are limited in our parking capacity. One issue this winter was with all the snow we effectively lost several small spaces due to snow build up. Next year our plow service will need to stay on top of it to avoid that build up. -Kari, General Manager

Q: Great that the special is bulk this time. More of this!
A: I suspect you are referring to the member coupon during the second half of February. If so, I am glad it suited you. We try to schedule the coupons to cover a variety of different categories that work for customers. -Kari, General Manager

Q: The door is not a “funnel”. Please stop putting the sandwich boards so close and angled – hard to get in and out with others, children, carts, etc.
A: I shared that feedback with the team. Sorry for any inconvenience. -Kari, General Manager

Q: Have you talked with the city about paving Stonecutters’ Way? It’s current condition makes one want to shop elsewhere.
A: Yes, we ave. They are limited to “cold-patching” until warmer weather, but unfortunately that is not durable. Stonecutters’ is scheduled for resurfacing this summer. Sorry for the inconvenience. -Kari, General Manager

Q: The tables in the cafe are so worn – they are tacky and not pleasant – hard to clean – they could use a new coat of poly or some sealant.
A: Thanks for letting us know. We are planning to have them redone this spring. Thanks! -Mary, Facilities Manager

Q: Hi Friends. As a life long vegetarian, I find it hard to shop when there are very fragrant meat being passed out as samples when it -fills the co-op with the smell. It would be different if it is not so fragrant and permeating. Thanks.
A: Thank you for sharing your concern. I have heard this from others and take it into consideration and I have increased the number of vegan and vegetarian demos based on customer feedback. Our demos cover all products we carry, so we will continue to sample meat items periodically. -Elizabeth, Demo Coordinator