Plastics
Q: Based on a lot of evidence disposing plastic is destroying our oceans and killing sea life. Could Willy St start offering more no plastic options? Watch Seaspiracy.
A: Thanks for sharing your concern about the use of plastics. It's a hot topic which is always on our radar. There are certain areas where it is really difficult for us to decrease plastic use, but we are always trying to do so where we're able. We're currently looking at more plastic-free offerings for customers to use in our bulk department; if you’re interested in knowing more about plastic-free options and our efforts to reduce plastic use in our stores you can see them on our website: willystreet.coop/pages/plastic-use-at-the-coop. -Liz Munoz Director of Product
Catering
Q: our church is planning a barbecue lunch with the barbecue being prepared by a number of our members. But we're finding that what we lack is a green vegetable! I know (I think?) you haven't resumed catering service but I wonder if it's possible for us to order one item—like roasted green beans or brussels sprouts, just as example—enough to feed 100 people?
Please let me know whether this is an order the co-op can fill and what the cost would be. Many thanks!
A: I received your two requests for catering. You're correct we have not resumed catering services at this time, so unfortunately we cannot provide the greens or BBQ seitan for your event. Our main priority right now is providing food directly to our stores and having our shelves full for our in-house sales. Currently, like so many others, adequate staffing continues to be an issue for us in being able to offer additional services. Sorry that we couldn't make this happen for you! Best regards, Nicholas OConnor, Prepared Foods & Cheese Category Manager
Door County Peaches
Q: I asked one of the associates in the produce dept if the Door County peaches which are listed as conventional were in fact IPM (integrated pest management). The individual didn't know the answer and suggested I contact Barnard Farms. I just went to their website. On this page they give their answer that's very affirming of sustainable ag: pickyourowndoorcountycherries.com/faq I'm sending this note to suggest that the coop tightly summarize and post that info by the peaches. Thanks for all you do!
A: Thanks for the suggestion! Currently, our guidelines for product identification are aligned with USDA regulations, which recognize products as organic, or not organic. There's really nothing in the middle, and because we do not have the resources to verify each and every grower/supplier claim (there would be a lot, we have similar product scenarios in all departments at the Co-op), we chose not to highlight these practices on our signs. If the product was packaged and the grower had that information on the package, that would be great, but in this specific scenario, there is no packaging!
When sourcing product, we place a high value on sourcing from suppliers who incorporate sustainable practices such as IPM and regenerative agriculture. We understand that becoming "certified organic" is not a good fit for everyone, and that sustainable practices are something many of our Owners and customers value. Often, we will try to highlight these suppliers and their practices in our monthly newsletter or our weekly produce new email, Word on the Beet, which you can sign up for at www.willystreet.coop/emails.
Thank you for the comment, and for taking the time to research your purchase! Sincerely, Andy Johnston, Produce Category Manager
Plates, Silverware, and Cups
Q: When will Willy Street restore the humanity such as plates & silverware & drink cups for water for those who buy from deli etc. to eat here? By now, you know that the actual COVID virus, if it is a virus, has less than .1% death rate and much less for children. Over reaction big time from dis info from politicians, gov't, and media liars who did not follow science.
A: This is great timing of your request as I was just talking to our Store Director and she was saying that they are discussing bringing the reusable plates, silverware, and cups back. Due to the busy times coming right around the corner with all the holidays, I am not sure if we will see it right away as it does take a little more staffing and labor to keep these items sanitized, cleaned, and stocked. But do know that it is in conversation and we hope to have them back in use sooner than later. -Amanda Ikens, Owner Resources Coordinator
Produce Labels
Q: These newish labels experienced at Willy North and central, are the dickens! I bruise the produce getting them off, even after soaking. Lose ‘em! "
A: Good morning, I am writing to you about the white labels that you find on our apples and various other items within the produce department. I am terribly sorry that your product was bruised due to the sticker being difficult to take off. We can offer a refund, or exchange, for the product. Unfortunately, stickering the apples and other items helps not only with our record keeping for each item (especially during local apple season when we have a vast variety of apples for sale), but it also helps our cashiers identify which apple is which, due to the PLU number being on the sticker. I hope this helps with why we sticker our products within the department. A solution for taking these stickers off would be: use a knife or peeler to shave off the sticker from the skin; we wouldn't recommend washing or rinsing them off due to the adhesive (these are food-safe stickers, which are okay to be on the items, different than the orange stickers you would see on our reduced items—in bags and on packages.) I hope this helps, and again, thoroughly apologize for the bruised product; hope you have a great day. -Jorge Espinosa, Produce Manager—East
Thank You
Q: I love this place! Another day I am thankful for the Co-op. I know you're short staffed (like everywhere else. I work in health care and don't we know it!)
Justin in grocery was also helping with bulk. He took the time to check on 2 items & then refill both of them. Super helpful. Thank you for taking the time for individuals even when your day is jam packed!
A: Thank you so much for sharing this positive experience with us. I have shared your kind words with Justin and his manager. He really does give the best customer service and acts as a role model to the rest of his team and the store at large. We are so lucky to have such a stellar, hard worker as him. I hope this message finds you well and see you soon! -Amanda Ikens, Owner Resources Coordinator
Sale Prices
Q: We just moved to Wisconsin. We have shopped at Co-ops for 40 years or more. We never have experienced sales that say you have to buy 2 to 6 items (like 6 ears of corn) to get the best sale price. We are a family of 2 and 6 ears of corn, for instance is too much. So we pay $0.30 more for one ear.
A: Thanks for taking the time to comment on our pricing strategy regarding sweet corn, and welcome to Wisconsin. Yes, we often do use a bulk pricing strategy to increase sales volume and ultimately, be able to offer a lower price on both the individual unit, as well as the bulk unit. This is a common industry practice, and is applied in all grocery retailers. I think it is easiest to understand if you think of other items where this is an industry standard. You can buy an individually wrapped apple for $2.99 /lb or you can buy a 3lb bag of those same apples for $7.99 each. You can buy an individual can of soda for $1.29 or a 12 pack of soda for $8.99. A roll of toilet paper for $1.49, or a 12 pack for $11.99. A half-gallon of milk for $3.49 or a gallon for $5.99. All of these are standard industry pricing strategies that enable retailers to meet sales and labor goals by offering "bulk" discounts. In Wisconsin, this strategy applied to sweet corn is practically universal when sweet corn is in season, not only do you get a discounted price for buying a dozen, you often get the baker's dozen to sweeten the deal. At every roadside farm stand and farmer's market, you will find this pricing strategy. Thanks again, and have a great day. -Andy Johnston, Produce Category Manager
Stellar Performances
Q: I am always impressed with the great service at Willy, both West and East—especially under the current difficult conditions. I have continued to shop at the Co-op regularly, and did so all through the lockdowns, because your product choices and stellar performances under extreme pressure made it the only good option for one-stop perfection! You don't hear this often enough. Bravalo!
A: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your generous kind words with us. You can be sure I will pass them along to the entire staff. Katie O'Connell-Jones, Owner Resources Coordinator
Taco Bar
Q: The taco bar only offers the taco meat and a taco shell. Why no cheese, and salsa or sour cream? Very disappointing.
A: Thank you for taking the time to write to us about your experience here at the Willy West deli. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide you with the taco toppings that you requested due to some equipment difficulties. Our salad bar is not currently working; therefore we cannot have salsa or sour cream, or any other goodies that need to be kept cold available during taco menu day. We have plans in place to fix this situation, and I am sorry for the inconvenience it currently causes. Thanks again, Renee Strobel, Willy West Deli Manager.
Sliced Meats
Q: Pre-pandemic, you could walk up to the deli counter, order ham sliced thick, thin, or wafer thin, and you could buy exactly the amount needed. Currently ham slices are sold pre-cut, pre-weighed, in pre-sealed plastic bags, a much less desirable alternative. Can you bring back the option of meats sliced to the owner's specifications?
A: Thank you for taking the time to fill out a customer comment form. I'm glad you enjoyed the fuller service slicing we used to be able to provide in the past. It was really nice for customers to be able to get their deli meats sliced to their specifications. Unfortunately, I have to say that I do not foresee this service coming back anytime soon. The East Deli has gone through some pretty drastic changes the past few years, both in what we offer and how we offer it. Right now we are struggling to keep the deli fully staffed and slicing to order requires customer service that is difficult for us to maintain throughout an entire day. This is a service I would love to see return sometime in the future but sadly circumstances do not allow for it right now. Thanks again for your comment. Gratefully, Bob Smith, Deli Manager—East
Reciprocity
Q: New to the area and have a membership for the Oshkosh Co-op. Does your co-op honor the Oshkosh membership?
A: I wanted to send a follow up email on this topic. Looking back, I am not sure if I fully answered this question, and I wanted to send some further clarification. Although what I sent you was our reciprocity policy, it applies to owners at grocery cooperatives in their home communities that are visiting Dane County. We encourage new residents to the area to consider investing into our Ownership Plans since you are now a part of this community. The reciprocity policy is meant for those that are from out of town and visiting for a period of time.
As you can see below, there are quite a lot of Willy Street Co-op benefits that are offered if you consider ownership with us. Hope this provides more clarification, and sorry for any confusion! If you have further questions, please reach out to me personally. In cooperation, Kristina Kuhaupt, Customer Experience Manager