Grocery

Customer Question: Truckload sale – Dimple organic coconut milk, organic olive oil, unbleached Seventh Generation toilet paper, coconut water not in cans. Thanks.
Co-op Answer: Thank you for your input! For truckload we try to make sure we are selecting our best sellers that we will sell pallets at once. The simple coconut milk just doesn’t sell that well yet. Our San Remo olive oil is organic. The Seventh Gen toilet paper in the truckload is the unbleached variety. Unfortunately, the tetrapaks coconut water just doesn’t sell as well as the cans. Luckily, we run sales on the C2O and Vita Coco all year long! -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Good Health pretzels. Thanks.
A: Thank you for your input! These sound delicious and I will add them to the list of items to get slotted on the shelf this month. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Would love to see light mesh or muslin (cotton) bags for grains and produce (for sale) in those departments to offer third choice beside paper or plastic.
A: Thank you for your input! We currently carry EcoBags, a light cotton bag, and Vejibags, a heavier cotton bags for sale in both our housewares and produce section. We are looking for a good mesh option currently. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Potlicker Kitchen Blueberry Bourbon.
A: Thank you for your input! I will certainly look into replacing one our our slower selling options with this flavor and reach out to the brand to see how they feel it would do for our store. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Looking to stock FODMAP friendly foods. Such as: Casa de Sante or Fody Food Co. etc.
A: Thank you for your input! We are currently looking at the FODY brand and should have some of this brand available by this summer and fall. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Is there an alternative to how you pack the fish? A lot of single use plastic.
A: I wish there was. Though the containers are bulky and on the wasteful side, they are the most readily recyclable of available options. We do/will keep an eye out for alternatives, but right now they are the best option. -Nick, Meat Buyer

Food Services

Q: Your deli tahini salad dressing is impossible to get out of the container gracefully! I’m not the only one complaining!
A: We have since thinned it out a little bit to make this easier. Thanks. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Scones please! Today scones are sold out at 11:15 and there’s three kinds of muffins left!
A: We have upped our scone pars and will continue to modify it. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: What happened to the Hollyhock dressing in the deli? It used to be thick, now it is watery and gross.
A: The flavor remains in tact but we did thin it a bit to pour through the new dispensers. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: The broccoli is still beg (on the salad bar).
A: Thanks for the feedback. We will continue to work on this with the team. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Can you consider making a potato salad for the grab and go cooler without mayonnaise? Healthy living has a nice lemon/chive potato salad.
A: We made one over the recent holiday for that very reason and will likely find a place for it permanently in the coming weeks. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: What happened to the smoked salmon rolls? Please have them more often.
A: They are offered every day we offer sushi. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Someone suggested a communal coffee stirring food. While that is indeed unsanitary, you could place some (non-communal) metal spoons in the coffee area. Keeping them around the corner: outta sight, outta mind.
A: There are spoons available at the hot bar and the cafe for use that can then go in the bus tub for cleaning with all of our reusable wares – an easy work around. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q:Whoever made the Beef Bourguignon on Wednesday food bar – exceptionally delicious. Beef was tender and sauce was fantastic. I would love the recipe.
A: So glad you enjoyed it – the recipe is sent. -Doug, Prepared Foods Manager

Q: Make the right environmental choice when you can. Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes for cream cheese.
A: The plastic containers are recyclable compared to the plastic wrap. Thanks for your comment. -Bibi, Cheese Buyer

Q: No no no please to yummy local cream cheese in yucky plastic.
A: Thanks for your comment. The plastic containers are recyclable compared to the saran wrap we were using. If you know of an alternative source, please let me know. -Bibi, Cheese Buyer

Q: Why are you putting the bulk cream cheese in plastic?
A: Thanks for asking. We are using these containers because they are recyclable, have a safe seal, and reduces the time spent wrapping. -Bibi, Cheese Buyer

Q: Please please please stop putting cream cheese in those giant plastic boxes. Recyclable, yes, but one use waste!
A: Thanks for your comment. Yes, they are recyclable and has a safe seal. The saran wrap we were using, isn’t. -Bibi, Cheese Buyer

Q: Can you please offer bulk cream cheese in larger amounts to save on packaging?
A: Thanks for your suggestion. We offer a variety sizes, however if you don’t find the amount you’d like, please ask and we’ll cut you a bigger piece. -Bibi, Cheese Buyer

Q: Stop putting cream cheese in plastic boxes. That is a seriously bad, wasteful policy. Guess I have to buy my cream cheese at Shaw’s for now. You need to reduce, not increase use of plastic packaging.
A: Sorry to hear that. The containers are recyclable while the saran wrap isn’t. If you have any suggestions for other types of packaging, please let me know. -Bibi, Cheese Buyer

Wellness

Q: I refilled my hand soap from the bulk Dr. Bronner’s in the Vitamin/Health Dept. While I want to use less plastic, there was hardly any difference in price from buying a new plastic bottle of the same product.
A: Thank you for your commitment to using less plastic. We lowered the price to $7.49 per pound and will look at it again when we do a full category review. -Laura, Wellness Manager

General

Q: Lots of price increases noted. Just a few examples: Butterworks plain yogurt up $1, Tortillas $3.29 to $3.49, single cold Reed’s gingerale $1.69 – $1.89. Let me guess: recent union contract negotiation? How long do you think this will be sustainable?
A: Thank you for the questions. In almost all cases, our price increases are the result of increases in costs by our suppliers, whether that is the producer or distributor. Employee costs are significant but for the most part don’t influence our pricing model. We hope the Co-op is sustainable. -Kari, General Manager

Q: It is summer. A good time to get a mail box moved in front of the store. I think it is two winters ago someone said it could be done next summer.
A: I contacted the USPS over the winter and let them know (for at least the third time) that the Co-op would be a good location for a box. They have not replied. -Kari, General Manager

Q: The tables in the cafe are usually sticky and need a deep clean and more regular cleaning. Maybe leave a canister of 7th Gen wipes or a spray bottle and paper towels so customers can clean?
A: Thanks for letting us know. We are aware of the stickiness which is actually caused by the natural finish becoming tacky and wearing off. We are in the process of scheduling them to be refinished and to resolve the issue. Thanks for your patience and understanding. -Mary, Facilities Manager

Q: Tables are sticky! Horrible!
A: Yes, the stickiness is caused by the furnish wearing off. We are in the process of scheduling them to be refinished. Thanks for your understanding. -Mary, Facilities Manager

Q: Could you please post lists of what goes in trash/recycling in the cafe as a guide?
A: Thank you for your suggestion – I know it has been a long time coming bu this is a priority for the Green Team and Marketing this year! -Emma, Customer Service Represenative

Q: Tabletops in the cafe are very sticky. They need to be cleaned so the sticky residue no longer exists.
Q: Every single table in the cafe was sticky. Makes me wonder about eating here.
A: Thanks for letting us know. Unfortunately the all natural finished we used on the tables last time we refinished them has become tacky, thus resulting in the stickiness. We are in the process of trying to find someone to refinish them again. Thanks. -Mary, Facilities Manager