Catering
Q: Hi! I’m wondering if you’re planning on bringing back your catering services for next year, and if so, would it be possible to talk to someone about wedding catering?
A: Thanks for reaching out about Willy Street Co-op’s Catering. At this moment we have not resumed our catering program and are not sure when we'll be able to do so. If you'd like I can add your name to a list of folks to reach out to when it does start back up. We're hoping sometime in 2022, but are still working out the details of what that might look like. Best Wishes, Dustin Skelley, Prepared Foods Category Manager
Recipe Correction
Q: I was instantly attracted to the recipe for the Browned Butter Walnut pie, but think there is a mistake in the recipe. There is no way that amount of filling makes only one pie. I am thinking the recipe should read 2 pie crusts. I have been making pecan and walnut pies for many decades, and my recipes for a single pie use about half (or less) of the quantities in your recipe.
A: Thank you so much for bringing that to our attention. I'm sorry for any confusion it may have caused. I'll make sure to change the recipe on our end. Take care, Liz Wermcrantz, Editor
Bulk List
Q: I am wondering if there is a way to access the current bulk items? I LOVE how much bulk food, spices, etc. you have but it would be awesome to have a handy list (or something on the website) to consult so I know which containers to bring.
A: Thanks for your email, and I apologize for not responding sooner. There isn't really one location where we list our current bulk items. The closest we have is our e-commerce website (at https://shop.willystreet.coop, not supported on mobile devices at this time), but that only shows what we have available at Willy North, since that's where we fulfill our e-commerce orders. We have discussed listing all of our products on that site and, whether or not they're available for curbside pickup or delivery, and indicating at which store they're available...but that is at least a few years away from happening. I will pass along your suggestion/request to my colleagues so that we can consider other solutions. -Brendon Smith, Communications Director
Big Thanks
Q: It’s not easy being a manager of any organization: creating a vision, inspiring, caring about and organizing others, addressing big impact issues and countless details of operations, and putting in the time and effort to sustain this work.
Running a grocery store in a competitive market is especially challenging, plus at Willy Street there is also a union and a democratic cooperative ownership structure to manage. This all requires added governance and social missions, fielding feedback, and meeting very high expectations.
Now add in a pandemic. Whew. I am so grateful for the hard work, stability, and competence at the helm of this co-op over the years. Our world is better off with co-ops and we need good leadership to make that a reality. I appreciate that Anya, managers, directors, and staff have kept the co-op growing, evolving, and strong. There will always be more and better to achieve, but I am glad to have the reality of Willy Street building a cooperative economy here and now. Thank you.
A: It was a delight to read your comment, one that I will share with great pleasure with the staff and management team. Our success is the result of a whole team effort, including Owners, so thank you for your continued support. Best, Anya Firszt, General Manager
Sweet Earth
Q: Hi! I was shopping at the Co-op today and noticed that you carry the brand Sweet Earth, which makes vegan and vegetarian frozen foods. I wanted to bring to your attention that Sweet Earth is owned by Nestle and Nestle is a company whose values seem to contradict everything that the Co-op stands for. I implore you to take that into consideration and whether or not continuing to offer Nestle products is in line with your values. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for being awesome!
A: Thank you for your comments! We sell many products that are owned by major companies which may seem to contradict our core values. We are here to serve our owners and some owners have expressed interest in us having these products available. Sweet Earth used to be an independently owned company when we brought them on, and they were purchased by Nestle more recently.
I appreciate you voicing your concern and letting us know what you think! -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Neat Egg
Q: The Neat Egg has been out of stock for a very long time (months). Is it ever coming back?
A: Thank you for your comment and question! The Neat Egg has been out of stock for awhile now. I am sorry it has not been on the shelf, but many companies we work with have been experiencing production issues due to not having key ingredients and also not having enough staff.
Unfortunately I do not have an ETA on when it is supposed to be available again. It is still showing up in our distributor's catalog, which is a good sign. It is available directly from the company online, but I understand not everyone likes ordering this way.
I am sorry we have not been able to get it in for you. Hopefully it will come in soon! -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Palm Oil
Q: I recently purchased some Edward & Sons vegetarian bouillon from The Coop and was sad to see palm oil in the list of ingredients because of its cruelty to elephants and unsustainable farming practices. When I wrote the company, they responded that they are in the process of phasing it out:
“Thank you for contacting us!
I am happy to advise we are in the process of replacing organic palm oil with organic shea butter in our Bouillon Cubes. Not-Chik'n™, Not-Beef™, Garden Veggie and Low Sodium Garden Veggie are currently available in both varieties. Low Sodium Not-Chick'n™ and Yellow Curry are currently only available with organic palm oil. The recipe containing organic shea butter will be available next year; I do not have an exact ETA.”
Can you tell me if/when the Coop will be purchasing the Shea butter versions of their bouillon so I can buy with a clear conscience? Thank you!
A: Thank you for your comments and question! Manufacturers often change their ingredients and we do not know about it until after the fact. I am not seeing any of their Bouillon Cubes with organic shea butter in our distributor’s catalog just yet. Since Edward & Sons is replacing the palm oil in these products, I think they will be coming in as soon as the old varieties are sold out. At least that is how it normally works.
I am sorry but I have no realistic timeline given the logistical issues that have been creeping up in our supply chain. Usually these types of changes take a few months to flow through. -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Looking for a Job
Q: I'm looking for a job and I be very interested to work here.
A: We are hiring! All open positions and instructions for applying online can be found at www.willystreet.coop/about-us/employment. If you experience any difficulties while completing your application please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;with a detailed explanation of the problem, and someone from our Human Resources Department will get back to you right away. Thanks for your interest! -Kirsten Moore, Cooperative Services Director
EBT/SNAP
Q: Wondering if EBT SNAP is accepted
A: Thanks for asking! We accept SNAP at all three of our store locations. When shoppers use SNAP on Tuesdays currently, they are also eligible to receive Double Dollars vouchers that can be used for produce purchases. If you decide to become a Co-op Owner, you may also be eligible to participate in the Access Discount program and receive 10% off your grocery bill.
Visit www.willystreet.coop/double-dollars to learn more about Double Dollars.
Visit www.willystreet.coop/ownership/access-discount-program to learn more about the Access Discount program. We look forward to seeing you at the store! -Kirsten Moore, Cooperative Services Director
Seville Oranges
Q: I would like to try a recipe that was available in a past reader about making marmalade using Seville oranges. When are they in season, or when do/did you carry them?
A: Great question! We do carry Seville Sour Oranges, but they don't typically come into season until later in the winter. I just checked our records—last year they arrived for the last week of January. The year before, they arrived in the first week of February. I anticipate this year will be similar. Thanks! -Megan Minnick, Purchasing Director
Gluten-Free Bread Best Seller
Q: Hi, which gluten-free bread do you sell the most often?
A: Thank you for your question!! It would be the Canyon Bakehouse San Juan 7 Grain Gluten Free Bread. -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Wonderful Company
Q: We shop at Willy Street Coop because we firmly believe in shopping locally and seasonally; we don't believe we have the luxury of having every product immediately available at our convenience all year around.
I am extremely disappointed and concerned to find the Wonderful Company products in your store. The Wonderful Company is based in California, which is 1,700 miles away from us. In a time of "drought" and increased regulation around water in the west, the Wonderful Company has actually been able to expand their business. The Wonderful Company also receives massive federal subsidies that encouraged and continue to encourage the overconsumption and abuse of water in the west. The Wonderful Company is one of the largest produce companies in the world and the largest almond and pistachio company in the world. We shop at Willy Street Coop to get away from these large companies.
I am most concerned with pistachios, which is the product I found in your store. The Central Valley, where the Wonderful company grows their pistachios, only produces 20% of the water that is required for a productive harvest. By purchasing this product, you are enabling the continued abuse of water.
Please take this into consideration when stocking your shelves.
A: Thank you for your comments and the information you sent us on The Wonderful Company!! I understand the concerns you shared with us about their water usage. I am sorry to hear you are disappointed.
We carry products that our customers have an interest in seeing at our stores. Willy North carries many products that our other two stores do not have space for and it was opened to serve the neighborhood. It is our only store that sells the Wonderful pistachios and people seem to like having them available based on their movement over the past year.
We have not received any other comments about the Wonderful Company to my knowledge, but I would recommend that you look at our boycott policy on ways to take action. -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
North Appreciation
Q: I have been a member of the co-op for over 20 years, and living 1.5 hours from Madison, have not visited much in the past year or so. I shopped at Willy's North my two last visits, and I want to show appreciation for the store. It is the roomiest, seems to have the greatest selection, is kept very neat and clean, no one bothers you, the checkers have been very nice, and to top it all off, I bought an Avocado Tempeh Wrap today, just ate it, and was absolutely floored. I have never eaten one this good before: nowhere near this good, though I always hoped for this flavor. The tempeh was cooked and spiced, the mayo was bright orange with flavor, there was enough mayo on it to actually taste it! The avocado was the perfect ripeness, it had fresh veggies, I savored every bite. It has been years since I bought one because I was disappointed every time, but I will definitely buy a wrap from north again if you continue to keep that preparation up. Please thank the preparers of them!!!! I am so glad my intuition steered me over to them....Happy Holidays, and thanks again!
A: Thank you so much for taking the time to write in about your experience at the north side store. I shared your comment with the Store Directors and the Deli Manager and in turn will share it with the north side staff. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your tempeh wrap, just reading your comment made me hungry!! Happy holidays to you and your family also and we look forward to seeing you in the store again soon. Take care. -Amanda Ikens, Owner Resources Coordinator
Bring Your Own
Q: When I shop in the bulk section (flour/oats/spices), can i bring in my own resuable containers (plastic and glass) to fill up instead of using the plastic bags (it hurts me to use these) only to transfer that to my container when i get home? I don't care about paying for the weight of my containers-- they aren't that heavy. Thanks in advance for addressing this!
A: I understand the want to decrease plastic bag usage. It would be fine for you to bring in your own container, but it must be cleaned and sanitized before bringing it back to the store to fill in the bulk aisle. You should never pay for the weight of your own container and can do one of 2 things, either ask customer service or a cashier what the weight is of your empty container and write that number down for the cashier to take that weight off. That is referred to as the tare weight. Or you can use the scale in the bulk aisle to weigh it up and write that number down for the cashier. Thank you for checking in first. Have a beautiful day!
-Amanda Ikens, Owner Resources Coordinator
Cooking Classes
Q: Hello! I am wondering if you will be hosting cooking class for tweens/teens in the near future? My two children (11 & 13 years old) would really like to take a cooking class. Thank you for your consideration!
A: Thanks for your question! Most of our cooking classes are for ages 12 and older, and for these classes, minors do need to attend with an adult. The kids' classes are typically recommended for 5-12 years old, and they are currently being offered virtually. When kids' classes are in-person, they're divided by age groups—classes for 5-8 year olds and classes for 9-12 year olds.
As another option, we offer private cooking classes. If you have a group of teens that would like to take a class together, we could make arrangements for that on a day that works for you. Private classes are $100 for a one-hour class + $7/person for ingredients.
Please let me know if you have any further questions or if you'd like to schedule a private class. -Liz Hawley, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Underwear
Q: I love your store but I was shocked when I saw a display near the front service desk with people in their underwear. You are a family store and I do not think kids need to see that and I don’t want to see that! Thank you
A: Thanks for the comment. I believe you are referring to the display of Boody brand clothing that's located behind the customer service desk at Willy West. Boody makes sustainable base layer clothing (including underwear) made from ultra soft bamboo. We've carried this brand for over five years, and it's a favorite of many of our customers.
The bodies displayed on the packaging for the Boody are meant to show the style and fit of the clothing, nothing more. This is the first complaint we've received in all the years that we've carried the product. That said, I'm certainly sorry if you found them to be distasteful. Thanks so much! -Megan Minnick, Purchasing Director