By: Anya Firszt, General Manager
Hello dear Owners,
Happy New Fiscal Year! July is the start of the new fiscal year, and over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be preparing for our annual financial audit and closing the books from the previous fiscal year. Fiscal year-end highlights will be shared once the annual audit is completed.
July is Disability Pride Month!
We are highlighting Inclusive Trade vendors owned and operated by persons with disabilities: check out Chrysalis Pops (frozen fruit pops) and Mrs. Beaster’s Biskits (dog treats).
Look for the Inclusive Trade icon on shelf tags that indicates a vendor is 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a person or persons who are: women; Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color; LGBTQIA+; veterans; and/or persons with disabilities. Learn more at willystreet.coop/inclusive-trade.
Plates, Bowls, and silverware, oh my!
I’m excited to share some new ways we’re reducing what ends up in the landfill.
You probably recall how COVID turned our routines upside down. One big change at the Co-op was replacing our plates, bowls, and utensils with to-go boxes and individually wrapped cutlery. Now, after six long years, we’re excited to welcome back reusable plates and bowls for in-store dining. And these aren’t your average dishes; they’re crafted from wheat straw.
What is wheat straw? It’s the leftover stalks from harvested wheat plants turned into unbreakable, BPA-free, microwavable, and, best of all, reusable tableware. Starting in July, you’ll find these for in-store dining at the Deli hot bars at each store and at the salad bar at Willy East.
We’re excited to share that we’re also switching to a more sustainable option for utensils. We’re starting the Bring it Back utensil program this month that was inspired by Briar Patch Food Co-op in California. From now on, we’ll offer stainless steel forks, spoons, and knives. Compostable and plastic utensils will no longer be available. This is both cost-effective and sustainable! Please return your utensils on your next visit to the Co-op by using them again or placing them in the bus tub in the Commons when you’re done. Bon appétit.
Festival Perks Passes
Willy Street Co-op is offering Festival Perks Passes yet again. Up to 3,000 (1,000 per each festival) Co-op Owners will be able to get half-priced meals and beverages (with or without alcohol) during a three-hour span at one of three community festivals near our stores:
- Fete de Marquette: Owner perk is valid on Thursday, July 9, from 4pm to 7pm. These Perks Passes will be distributed at Willy East only starting on Monday, June 29 at 10am.
- Good Neighbor Festival: Owner perk is valid on Saturday, August 29, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. These Perks Passes will be distributed at Willy West only starting on Monday, August 17 at 10am.
- Northside Festival: Owner perk valid on Saturday, September 12, from 11am to 2pm. These Perks Passes will be distributed at Willy North only starting on Monday, August 31 at 10am.
For additional information regarding the distribution schedule for Perk Passes, check out the Co-op’s website (www.willystreet.coop/owner-festival-perks).
West Refrigeration Project
From Sunday, August 9th, through Friday, August 14th, we’ll be doing some much-needed refrigeration work at Willy West. We will remain open throughout the project but will close early on Sunday, August 9th, and open late on Monday, August 10th. We’ll offer a limited selection of refrigerated and frozen products during that time.
Willy North and Willy East will be open regular hours (7:30am–9pm) during this time. Our online store and delivery service will also be available—see shop.willystreet.coop for details. The new coolers will be more energy-efficient, and the new refrigerant will have a significantly lower climate impact than what we currently use. Thank you for your patience while we perform this long-awaited work.
Mark your calendar:
- On Saturday, July 4 (Independence Day), stores will close at 7pm.
- On Sunday, July 5, stores will also close at 7pm for the Year-end Inventory Count.
Until next month,
Anya
