Bulk Oats
I buy bulk oats several times a year and understand that it’s perhaps the most popular bulk item. I wish the Eastside store would put the bulk oats in one of those dispensers you can put your bag under and pull down the handle, like they do in the Westside store. I’ve asked or mentioned it a few times to bulk area staff, but thought I’d email the idea so perhaps it can be considered. I’ve heard other costumers say the same thing as they scoop out oats.
Thank you for reaching out to us with this suggestion. I will talk with the Grocery Manager at Willy East about this idea. I can see how it would be convenient and much faster. -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Amy’s Soups
I love Amy’s lower sodium soups and ask whether the French Country Vegetable’s rediced sodium version could be stocked in all of our stores. I would like to buy other soup brands, but I have not noticed low sodium selections. If that choice is available, including online, what do you advise in shopping for reduced sodium soups? What does it mean to have a low sodium, light sodium, or reduced sodium content?
Amy’s Reduced Sodium French Country Vegetable soup used to be available through our distributors, but it is not any more. I went to Amy’s website and it does not look like they are making it now. I think Amy’s is a great choice for a lower sodium soup. Other brands like Progresso and Campbell’s make products that have a lower sodium content. Most canned or boxed soups are pretty high in sodium, but since every soup is a little different, I believe there is not a standard for the definition. I hope this helps! -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Compostable Cutlery
The plastic ware you use says that it is “BPI compostable” Is it now possible to put that plastic ware in the compost garbage?
The compostable cutlery is only compostable in special facilities, which is not really ideal or what we intended with stocking this. This is something we’ve identified and are looking to change in the very near future. Please stay tuned for a big change coming to Willy Street! -Nicholas Oconnor, Director of Prepared Foods
Salad Bar
I’m starting a new job, and I’m trying to figure out when I can pick up salads from the salad bar. Can you please tell me the salad bar hours both during the week and on weekends?
Congrats on the new job; we’re glad you’re looking to get salad bar! The salad bar at Willy East should be available from open (7:30am) until about 8:00pm, 7 days a week! -Nicholas Oconnor, Director of Prepared Foods
Job’s Tears & Purslane
I am curious if i could purchase the following product that is certified organic and grown in the USA or European Union? Job’s Tears (Yi Yi Ren / coix seed) Also curious if you ever stock Pursulane?
The Produce departments do not stock purslane. While it is edible and has nutrition benefits, purslane is more often than not considered a ‘weed’, which farms are removing rather than cultivating. The Grocery departments do not have access to coix seed or Job’s Tears. I am sorry. Thank you for letting us know what you are looking for in our stores! -Andy Johnston, Produce Category Manager and Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Spice in the Deli
Please consider labeling deli items with spice levels. A number of times we have purchased deli items and found them too spicy to eat. The latest was the Vegan Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Salad. I can’t even smell it without coughing and my wife couldn’t eat it. Somewhere in the middle of the label it does say “chipotle pepper in adobo sauce” but having to sift through a long list of ingredients to guess the spice level isn’t customer friendly. We find many of the items in the deli and the hot bar are spiced way more than we would like. We don’t seem to have this problem to the same extent at Whole Foods. Thanks!
I’m sorry about the spice level on this, we truly have very few items that are spicy. That said, our Communications department is about to implement a “I’m spicy” sign for the ones that this does apply to! I will make sure that this cold salad is on the list of spicy dishes we add it to! -Nicholas Oconnor, Director of Prepared Foods
Red & Yellow Potatoes
We are considering using the red and yellow potatoes sold at Willy West for seed potatoes for our garden. What variety(s) are you getting from your vendors? We want to ensure they are varieties that are good for long term storage in our root cellar. Thank you!
I checked in with Driftless Organics, and their response is: “Yellows should be Belmonda unless they have a little bit of russeting to them then it would be German Butterball. Reds should be Modoc right now.” I hope that is helpful! -Andy Johnston, Produce Category Manager
Florentine Burgers
Just tried the Florentine burger. YUM. Back for more today. Would be great if you had a gluten free option. I know someone who would buy these regularly if they were g/f. Thanks.
So glad to hear you like the Florentine Burgers! We used to have a food service size of the panko “bread” crumbs, I’ll look and see if I can find it again! -Nicholas Oconnor, Director of Prepared Foods
Bulk Food
Please bring back more of the bulk foods you used to carry from before the Pandemic. You used to carry bulk M&M eggs, where we could use our own cartons to fill up on eggs. Also, there was a whole other bulk section where you had bulk powdered Wisconsin ginseng, bulk teas, etc. I understand why you got rid of much of the bulk food options during the Pandemic, but at this point we can go back to having more bulk food options.
Thank you for your comments. We will not be bringing back the bulk eggs. They weren’t a good enough seller for us. I appreciate you letting us know what you are looking for in our stores. During the pandemic we did switch to pre-packaged leaf tea and herbs, which was a big change for all of us. However, we soon realized there were many benefits to the change—we saw an increase in sales and labor efficiencies and a decrease in loss. These factors helped us determine we will keep pre-packaged loose leaf tea and herbs going forward. -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Bulk Pre-Order
I want to get about 8 pounds of bulk dried soy beans. Instead of coming in and emptying out your bin or you needing to refill it so I could get enough I was wondering if that’s something you guys could parcel out for me in advance and have ready for me at a customer service desk or something like that.
Thanks for reaching out to us about a potential preorder. We can do this for you, but we need to know the day and time you would like to come in. We also need you to call on the day of pickup to remind the team you are coming. This will ensure we have your item set aside and ready. -Garet Bauer, Willy East Grocery Manager
Note of Gratitude
Sharing a note of gratitude – last week was brutally challenging and the relentless cold and wind nearly crumbled our spirits. We were at the Co-op for usual grocery needs and picked up dinner at the hot bar. My spirits were instantly restored by the chicken squash curry. My husband was restored by a roast beef sandwich. We picked up a chocolate chip granola bar to send home with our college-aged son after a weekend visit. Might seem like little things to some, but they aren’t so little. Especially in today’s world. Thank you for nourishing our family for over 20 years.
You are so so welcome! We absolutely love to hear this kind feedback. Something must be in the air because this is the fourth comment in a row that I have the pleasure of responding to that is positive feedback for our Prepared Foods team! -Nicholas Oconnor, Director of Prepared Foods
Tuna Casserole
A few years ago Tuna Casserole was a regular product in Grab&Go. Then there was a Tuna shortage – no grab&go/hotbar. Now you sell tuna casserole one day per week in the Hot BAR. I wish you would also bring Tuna Casserole back to grab&go.
This is something I am working on getting added to our catalog, thanks for writing in! -Nicholas Oconnor, Director of Prepared Foods
TVP
I read Micky Ellenbecker’s article in the Reader regarding Plant-based Proteins. I was surprised that TVP (textured vegetable protein) was not mentioned. I have used this soy-based product for years, usually mixed with another ingredient. For example, after the TVP is hydrated, add it to ground beef while browning and use it in chili, enchiladas, or tacos. The TVP also works out well when added (dry) to oatmeal before hydratinng both together with boiling water. TVP that is hydrated and cold can be mixed with granola too. I look forward to trying some of the other prepared protein options.
Thanks for sharing your comment about our recent plant-based protein article. Micky and I both agreed that TVP would be a great addition to the lineup of proteins featured. The only reason it wasn’t included was due to the article’s word count limitations. I’m sure your TVP suggestions will engage our readers nonetheless! -Caitlyn Tompkins, Marketing Manager
Flavorful Food
I just wanted to share that I tried the Vegan Chili from the hot bar and it was so incredible! The seasoning was absolutely perfect. The chili was warm and exactly the right level of spice (in my opinion). Thanks for making flavorful food!
Thanks for sharing this I will share with our kitchen and let them know! -Nicholas Oconnor, Director of Prepared Foods
