We will be taking a break from Staff Picks at the beginning of the new calendar year; we hope to bring it back in the spring!
JESS
Fever Tree Ginger Ale + Ginger Beer
These come in 4-packs and they are just the perfect size for mixers or on their own!
Boursin Cheese, all flavors
If you haven’t tried this soft cheese, you should. Excellent with crackers, pretzels, or crunchy bread sticks. Perfect compliment to your next charcuterie board.
MARIA
Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Beverage with Dandelion
Dandelion is so good for the liver. My favorite way to drink this is with a teaspoon of Dandy Blend, a half teaspoon of instant decaf coffee, a splash of vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon, sweetener of choice (optional) and choice of milk in 16 oz. of water. Delicious!
MOURNING DOVE
Once Again Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower seed butter has a unique nutty flavor. I started using it when cooking for folks with nut and sesame allergies, but now I use it often when making dressings and sauces. Mix with maple syrup and cinnamon for a fruit dip or dessert drizzle, or stir in lemon juice and garlic for a savory bagel spread.
KRISTINA
Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier Chocolate-Dipped Ginger
Where do I start on all the goodness of this product line? Local, women-owned company that provides lovely items to choose from. When you want something a bit more elevated to curb your sweet cravings for the day, try her single-origin dark candied baby ginger (my favorite offering, but so many more options available too). The tagline for this product—“A sweet bite with a delightful little zing”—is totally true and I look forward to it unusually once a week.
SHANNON
Third Space Happy Place
The old adage is that the easy choice is not always the right one. It might be easy to overlook this flagship IPA in the crowded sea of new and exciting local beers, but it would also be a mistake. It’s a perfectly balanced brew that knocks my socks off each and every time. Whenever I find a can in my hand, I am truly in my happy place.
NICHOLAS
Willy Street Co-op Potato Corn Chowder
Big fan of this soup, this might be my favorite soup that is on the menu in fall. Was really surprised the first time I had this and realized it was vegan too!
SARA
Kalamazoo Candle Company
I love the candles from Kalamazoo Candle Company! They are made of 100% natural soy wax with high quality fragrance oils and zero added dyes or toxins.
There are many scents to choose from, some of my year round favorites are: Lavender, Moroccan Rose, and Sandalwood. But my absolute favorite is a seasonal scent: Balsam & Cedar, which is only available during the late fall into early winter. And I’m sure as new scents are introduced, I will add more favorites to my list...hopefully you do too!!
LUCAS
Madison Sourdough Seed and Grain Sourdough Sliced Bread Loaf
As an unhappy enjoyer of various multigrain, multi-seed sliced breads, I couldn’t help but feel as though they always lacked something essential. But alas, I was resigned to eating these breads in the name of personal health. Then I discovered the Seed and Grain Sourdough, which proved to me that the missing element to these health-breads was sourdough. Something about the slight tang of the bacterial culture unites the flavors of various flours and seeds. I highly recommend it. Toasts stupendously.
Equal Exchange Coffee Breakfast Roast (Ground)
An impossible-to-ignore coupon for Equal Exchange Coffee Breakfast Roast convinced me to stray from the bargain brand coffee I used to drink. I will not be able to go back. This coffee is the platonic ideal of coffee—the coffee of which all others are knock-offs. From the taste, to the scent, to the way it blooms in the coffee filter, it matches exactly the definition of coffee I’ve always held in my mind. Expectations were met perfectly. Beware.
JOE
Siete Grain Free Mexican Wedding Cookies
I was excited to see a grain-free version of one of my favorite types of cookies. The blending of almond, tapioca, and other flours with coconut oil and pecan pieces is perfect.
Willy Street Co-op Olive Bar
You can put together your own assortment of high-quality olives, whether just a few for a snack or a lot for a party tray. Also allows you try something new without buying a whole jar.
JAMES
Snyder Pretzel Snaps
These are the perfect dipping pretzel! I really like these for the spreadable cheeses, like the Carr Valley Sharp Cheddar spread or the Wollersheim Prairie Fume Cheddar spread that we sell here. Great for a snack or charcuterie board. East and North only.
Satsuma Mandarins
Every winter the Satsuma Mandarin obsession begins again. These mandarins are absolutely amazing in every way. They’re tiny and cute, easy to peel, and they’re packed full of wonderful citrus flavor! I have at least two almost every morning before work.
Ferndale Smoked Turkey Sliced from the Deli
I never used to care much for turkey sandwich meat until I tried this smoked turkey! Now I use it any chance I get—for turkey and swiss sandwiches/melts, on top of a bagel with cream cheese, and even tossed into an omelet! It is a staple in my house, for sure!
LAURA
Pomegranates
To me, one of the best winter gifts I can receive is digging into a pomegranate to devour the beautiful, nutritious jewels inside. Full of minerals and vitamins, this is a fruit that will sustain you and bring you a bit of joy during the darkest days of winter!
KJERSTIN
Ener-C
Wintertime Panacea Number Three! Deliciously fizzy, this is a staple to always have on hand, not even just in winter! For stomach upset bugs, when you don’t want to eat or can’t keep much down, this is a tasty electrolyte and vitamin C blast that will get you through to real foods and drink again. I also take it on backpacking trips as a zippy pick-me-up along the trail and always have one or two stashed in my bag for on-the-go energy and emergencies.
AMANDA
Bunky’s Lavash Chips
These chips are so light, crisp, and have a great taste! Awesome with hummus, baba ghanoush or honestly, all by themselves. I prefer the sea salt, but for the garlic lover we have that flavor too!
Tey-Art Alpaca Socks
These are the softest socks!! So comfy your feet will thank you. They make great gifts or pamper yourself.
PIPER
Bulk Woodstock Dark Chocolate-Covered Ginger
These are one of my go to sweets. Rich chocolate and sweet ginger with a bit of heat. And being in bulk you can get just the right amount, be that a handful or a pound.
KATHERINE
Field Day Coconut Water
I really like this product for its consistency in flavor and in price! I trust the Field Day brand to provide a budget friendly option in a lot of packaged grocery items. This coconut water is a little sweeter tasting than others which makes it a treat and the consistency is very smooth and clean.
HALLIE
Wisconsin Meadows Tenderloins
Small but mighty!!! These amazing tenderloins/filet mignons are so tasty and tender. Perfect for grilling or pan searing. One of the best steaks you can buy, you may never go to a steak house again!
ASSAF
Lovefood Organic Fresh Thyme
Thyme is one of the most versatile herbs out there. I use it more for sweets rather than savory. Goes well in freshly made jams, cakes, etc.
PAUL
Chestnuts
They are good for roasting or braising. Seasonal and limited supply.
AMY
Clasen’s Frosted Sugar Cookies
I love love love frosted sugar cookies! I pretty much have to have one every time I see one. Some are better than others, of course. These are delicious in a very classic sense...just what you’d expect. I personally don’t care much about the decorations on them, but our local Clasen’s cookies are SO dang cute and certainly at a higher artistic level than most. Who wouldn’t love you if you surprised them with one?! Not me (hint, hint)!
ABIGAIL
Willy Street Co-op Hot Toddy Concentrate
I pick up a bottle of the hot toddy concentrate whenever I feel remotely like a sickness is coming on. Whether I actually turn out to be sick or not, it ALWAYS makes me feel better. I mix it with hot water for ultimate coziness. A little bit goes a long way, and it is really nice to share as well.
BRANDY
Fuyu Persimmons
This variety of persimmon can be eaten when it is still slightly firm, it is incredibly sweet with notes of cinnamon.
MATT
SFL Raclette
In many parts of Europe, Raclette is a household name like cheddar, gouda, or Swiss is to Americans, but not a lot of people know about it here. A semi-soft, raw-milk, washed-rind alpine cheese with a mild fruity flavor, Raclette is made for melting above all. It’s fantastic heated over baked or boiled potatoes or broccoli, and its classic companion is the cornichon.
DAN
Red Barn Family Farms Vintage Willow Creek
Red Barn Family Farms uses a domestic fair trade model and produces humane certified cheese that is all just fantastic. The Willow Creek is a 2-year aged, raw milk cheddar with a fruity start and a buttery finish. It pairs perfectly with citrus, almonds, honey and figs, or a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fortune Favors Nuts
First, a warning. These caramelized pecans are seriously addictive. Second, they makes an awesome gift for just about anyone without a nut allergy. Fortune Favors goes great on a cheese board, but unless you get more than one you’ll probably finish them before you get your board set up.
CAITLYN
Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tea
Every year I stock up on Candy Cane Lane and other teas that come out around the holidays. They are all decaffeinated blends of green or black tea and spices and are naturally a little sweet.
Willow Creek Braunschweiger
This braunschweiger is made from heritage Berkshire pork and is smoky and spiced just right. Put it on some crusty bread or make yourself a bánh mì!
MELISSA
Califia Farms Oat Milk Barista Blend
I haven’t used my usual vegan creamer at all since trying Califia’s oat milk barista blend. I mainly use it in cold brew and tea, but I’ve made lattes with it as well. It truly is coffee shop-quality.
LACEY
Potter’s Crackers Caramelized Onion Crackers
If you’re looking for the perfect cracker for a cheese plate, this is the one! Potter’s Crackers are made with organic and locally sourced whole-wheat flour, milk, and butter in Madison, Wisconsin and most of their produce also comes from small, local farms. This flavor goes with so many cheeses, but I recommend it with Dream Farm’s farmstead goat cheese.
Pacha Soap Co.
These soaps smell so good! And they are so beautiful; it’s hard to pick a favorite. Sustainably sourced natural ingredients make them even more special. They would make such a nice gift. Definitely the most delicious smelling package we receive at the Co-op.