Plastic in Deli and Meat

Too much prepackaging in deli and meat departments. We know that plastic is ecologically bad for us and the environment. Also, I can’t choose amount I want when everything is prepackaged . I’ve been increasingly dissatisfied with the Co-op. It’s not acting like a Co-op anymore.

Thank you for your comment concerning plastic usage at the Co-op.  Unfortunately, there aren’t any health department-approved packaging options for raw meat that aren’t made of plastic. -Nick Heitman, Meat, Seafood, Beer, Wine & Spirits Category Manager

Abandoned equity

“On the “giving back” board in the cafeteria, there is mention of funds coming from “abandoned equity”. What is that?”

Thanks for asking and great question! If an Owner has not paid equity for a year (unless paid-in-full) and does not make a purchase in a year, that Owner is not considered to be in good standing or an “active” Owner. If an Owner is not in good standing or is inactive for at least 3 years, the Owner’s equity is considered abandoned based on state statutes. To proceed with abandonment, the Co-op needs to notify all Owners that qualify a minimum of 60 days prior to the date the abandonment will take place. To notify these inactive Owners we send out postcards to the address we have on file and put a legal ad in the Wisconsin State Journal. If an Owner does not respond to our notice, their account is abandoned and their equity forfeited to charity on the last day of the fiscal year.  We cannot use this abandoned equity for operational purposes and can only use it towards 501(c)3 donative purposes and that is what you saw posted in our Commons area. -Kristina Kuhaupt, Customer Experience Manager

Class for Iron Skillets

It would be great if you could offer a DIY class on seasoning old, rusty cast iron skillets for cooking.

I received your request for a class about bringing old rusty cast iron skillets back to life, and what perfect timing! We will plan the class schedule for the winter months soon, and we will add a cast iron class to the lineup. -Liz Hawley, Education and Outreach Coordinator

Editor’s Note: Cooking with Chef Paul: Cast Iron 101 has been scheduled for January 29th in Willy West’s Community Room. Learn more at www.willystreet.coop/events.

Wallaby Yogurt

I am very disappointed that you have stopped carrying wallaby vanilla yogurt.

I’m sorry to tell you that the parent company of Wallaby Yogurt ceased production with no advanced notice to retailers. At this time I have not been informed of any plans to revitalize the brand. If it does come back I will make space on our shelves since it has been a staple here for over 15 years. I have checked with a few vendors and none are carrying the products. -Nate Groth, Willy North Grocery Manager

September Article

I really appreciated the article in the September newsletter “Local Organic Farming for Healthy People and Planet” by Richard de Wilde of Harmony Valley Farms. It provided the extent of the importance of eating organic food, and inturn, supporting the farms. I will be manging my budget a bit more so that I can afford to buy more organic food!

I received your Customer Comment about the September newsletter. Thanks so much for your kind words about our feature article—I’m glad to hear it resonated with our readers. I will be sure to pass along your feedback to Richard as well. -Caitlyn Tompkins, Marketing Manager

Coffee Beans

I bought coffee yesterday and when I got home I realized I bought BEANS. I do not have a coffee grinder. Do. you? Can I come there and grind the beans, I hope yes…

Thanks for reaching out. Since you purchased your coffee here, you are welcome to use our grinders. Feel free to check in with Customer Service when you arrive, and they will be happy to assist you. -Dave Andrews, Willy West Grocery Manager

Online Ordering Form

I’ve noticed that every time I use the online ordering form I have to fill in the delivery notes, even if I’ve checked the box to remember the directions for the next order on prior orders I’ve made. I’m using Chrome (version 140.0.7339.123) on an Android tablet. It doesn’t have any cookie blocking extensions installed. Is the functionality for remembering the delivery notes stored by cookie or by the server? Any idea why the notes wouldn’t be brought forward if the box was checked on a prior order?

I spoke with our vendor about the issue that you are having. They responded that there is a known issue with this and they hope to have it resolved in their next app update, which is scheduled to be released later this month or early next month. -Dennis Perkins, Willy North Front End Manager

Gift Cards

I live out of town and am looking to purchase a gift card for my friend who is local to Madison who shops there all the time.

What a thoughtful idea! We definitely sell gift cards, and you can find out how to purchase one over the phone or at any of our stores at www.willystreet.coop/promotions/gift-cards. We can mail it out, or we can hold it at our front desk for your friend to pick up. Thanks for thinking of us! -Liz Hawley, Education and Outreach Coordinator

Field Day Toilet Paper

Wondering if you will still be carrying Field Day 1-ply individual rolls toilet paper. It is reasonably priced, made from recycled paper and single ply.

We love the Field Day TP! The supplier that makes Field Day Toilet Paper is no longer manufacturing it.  UNFI Brands+ (who manage the Field Day and Wild Harvest brands) are in the process of finding another manufacturer. But they estimate by the time they find one, get contracted, and production begins, we will not see Field Day Toilet Paper until next spring or summer. As soon as it is back in production and available we will get it back as fast as we can! -Jason Zabinski, Willy East Grocery Manager

Bulk Salad Greens

I’ve started buying the bulk Vitruvian Farms salad mix and realized I didn’t see anything indicating whether or not it needed to be washed before eating. Is that salad mix pre-washed, or do I need to wash it after buying?

The product is pre-washed and identified as “ready to eat.” I always recommend washing,  but in the case of pre-washed salads, it’s not required and up to the consumer. If for some reason you can visually identify any decayed product (which has happened), I’d wash it.  -Andy Johnston, Produce Category Manager

Bulk Twist Ties

I shopped at Harmony Co-op in Bemidji, MN and found these twisties in their bulk area. I think they are much easier to use than the twisties in our bulk area. Perhaps we could look into using them? Thanks!

Thank you for the recommendation on the twist ties. Looking at the sample you provided us does seem to be a convenient option for customers. We will look into these more with our supply company, and see if these could be a potential option within their catalog. -Garet Bauer, Willy East Assistant Grocery Manager

Santa Fe Mac & Cheese

I was wondering if the co-op still makes Santa Fe mac and cheese for the hot bar? If so, when it is available? And what is the ingredient list?

We have had Santa Fe Mac off the menu for a little bit now. However, the kitchen is about to add a bunch of recipes to the menu in a couple weeks. This is great timing! We will add this one to our menu! -Nicholas OConnor, Prepared Foods & Cheese Category Manager

Top Shelves in Produce

Since the remodel (which looks great) I cannot reach anything on the top shelves in the produce area. (I also can’t reach the plastic bag dispensers along the produce and fruit walls, tho you have some dispensers available to me) I’m short, but not remarkably so.

Thanks for your feedback! We agree—the new cases look great! Yes, the top shelves are higher now and though we do have products merchandised at those heights in other areas of our store we know it’s a change in Produce and can be a potential challenge for some shoppers. Feel free to ask any of our staff members for assistance in reaching anything you may not be able to grab yourself. We are also working with our supplier to get more bag dispensers at a lower height—thanks for mentioning that. – Liz Muñoz, Director of Purchasing

Breakfast Sandwich

I have been trying out the hot breakfast sandwiches at the deli lately, and was at first a bit disappointed with how dry and tough they were. But today, I grabbed one and noticed that it was wrapped in two layers of foil which did a MUCH better job at preventing it from drying out. Yes, it’s more packaging, but the integrity of the sandwich was maintained and I enjoyed my breakfast sandwich much more. The only other thing that would make these better is more cheese as it tends to disappear in the sandwich.. but that’s just me. Thank you for having an easy and tasty breakfast option available for when I’m rushing to work!

Thank you for trying another breakfast sandwich after being disappointed with the first one. It’s great to hear that the next one was more to your liking. I’m going to let everyone on the team know that they should be double wrapping them going forward. Thank you for helping us get better at making breakfast for you. -Bob Smith, Willy East Deli Manager