Grocery

Customer Question: Please bring back Nancy’s yogurt! We really love the yogurt and like that it comes in big sizes.  Thank you so much!

Co-op Answer: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately, this product was discontinued by our distributor and we can no longer order it.  We have been on the look out for another brand who makes a yogurt that size, but haven’t found one yet. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Why are Bearitos or Garden of Eatin white corn chips no longer stocked.  They have more refined flavor than the yellow.  They are thicker than the new brands and hold up as nachos and also have better flavor and texture. 

A: Thank you for your input!  Bearitos has been cutting back on products and they made the decision to eliminate their white corn chips along with several other items.  As far as I know, the only Garden of Eatin white corn chip we have carried is the chip bowl, which we do still carry.  -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: I have come in at times several different trips to find Patchwork Bakery goods not stocked, later I’m told they just didn’t show up.  Please have a sign up stating so that customers know the vendor is not stocking that week.  
A: Thank you for your input! Whenever a bakery gives us warning that they won’t be delivering, we try to get signage up.  We will do better in the future communicating these out of stocks.  -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: I need prickly pear and orange San Pellegrino. 

A: Thank you for your input!  We will replace one of the slower selling flavors with this one.  -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Please carry Santosha chocolate.  

A: Thank you for your input! This product is not currently available from any of our distributors.  When it does become available, we will bring it in.  -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Can you possibly get Organic Valley soy creamer?  You have other OV milk options…so? 

A: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately, Organic Valley is in the process of eliminating their entire line of soy products.  These will soon be unavailable at all stores.  We do carry the Wildwood soy creamer which seems very popular at the co-op. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Why do you not carry Rice Dreams any longer?
A: Thank you for your input! We discontinued the vanilla milk in refrigerated due to slow sales.  The ice cream novelties had stopped coming in for a couple of months last spring, so we let them go.  We plan on bringing them back this spring.  -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: We wish you would get Pataks – Hot Mango Chutney.  We have to go to Hanover to get it.  
A: Thank you for your input! We will add this product into our set. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: A non-dairy butter without canola oil, please!  Thank you. 

A: Thank you for your input! We will look into bringing in the Miyoko’s organic vegan butter, which is free of canola oil.  -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Could you get the Salahe (?) nut snacks again? They were delicious. 

A: Thank you for your input! We will look into some of these items for our register end cap. -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Q: Thank you for the Tate’s gluten-free ginger zinger cookies! The best!

A: Thank you for your input!  We love the Tate’s brand as well! Especially their delicious GF options! -Olivia, Grocery Buyer

Wellness

Q: The stevia throughout the store contains erythritol which is a sugar alcohol some people can not tolerate.  Please get some plain, organic stevia that is just stevia. 

A: Thank you for your suggestion.  In order to better help, are there specific products you are referring to?  Please give me a call at 262-3218. -Laura, Wellness Manager

Q: I require bright red candles – you used to have them – where did they go?

A: We currently carry two choices of red tapers (Sunbeam and Mole Hollow).  In addition, there are red pillars and votives.  If you would like assistance locating any of these, please ask any wellness staff for help. -Laura, Wellness Manager

General

Q: This is second request to respond.  Is there any chance there could be a bread slicer machine available to slice whole loaves? I’m having a hard time with knives.  

A: Having responded to this request a few times now: bread machines are very expensive and not easy to use.  We do not have plans to purchase one anytime soon.  Red Hen sells sliced bread as does VT Bread Co..  Please contact me if you have any questions.  -Kevin, Operations Manager

Q: Pushy people, entitled attitudes, cramped aisles, unconscious walkers, I hate shopping here! But I love the food. 

A: Sorry to hear this.  The Co-op shopping experience seems to work for many but not all.  Please let me know if you have any specific requests or suggestions. -Kari, General Manager

Q: When is the May coop council meeting and where is the agenda? It is not posted on the board.  

A: Council meetings are generally the first meeting of the month so the next meeting is May 7 at 5:30 in our community room.  The agenda will be posted after it is finalized by the executive committee.  We meet the evening of May 1. -Kari, General Manager

Q: The dishonesty of management is disgusting – I am shopping at Trader Joe’s now!

A: I am not sure what you are referring to.  I know managers here to be honest and professional.   Let me know if you care to discuss. [email protected] or 262-3219 -Kari, General Manager 

Q: My son accidentally dropped and broke a glass bottle near the deli.  The staff was incredibly kind and responsive.  They rushed in to clean up and even fetched a new soda.  I was grateful for their kindness. 

A: Thank you for the feedback.  We are happy to serve.  -Kari, General Manager

Q: This phenomenon of a cashier who jams all your stuff through at top speeds, shoves it to the end and then stands gawking at you when you try to deal with paying at the same time.  

A: Cashiers are trained to offer assistance bagging even if the customer has started the bagging process on their own.  We do have customers who prefer no assistance, but if it was not offered to you, we certainly apologize. Please contact Sonia Keene at 262-3225 or [email protected] with more details so we can properly address this concern. -Alison, Asst. Front End Manager

Q: The young folk at the registers aren’t very friendly. 
A: We apologize for any less-than-friendly experience you have had at the register. We certainly strive to provide the very best customer service at all times.  It would be helpful to us if you would contact Sonia Keene, our Front End Manager, and provide some more details about your checkout experience.  262-3225 or [email protected]. Thank you! -Alison, Asst. Front End Manager

Q: How about some more charging stations in the parking lot?

A: Thanks for the suggestion – we have decided to stick with one for now but will continue to reevaluate.  -Mary, Facilities Manager

Q: Bathrooms smell terrible!

A: Sorry about that.  We will reevaluate our air purifiers, thanks for letting us know. -Mary, Facilities Manager