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Staff Picks

Brendon

Batch Bakehouse Scali Bread

I use this for almost all of the sandwiches I make. It tastes delicious, it lasts for days, and it’s baked right down the street from Willy East.

Serenity

Driftless Organics Sunflower Oil

Flavorful, versatile, reasonably priced and best of all: local! I buy it from the bulk aisle. This has replaced olive oil as my go-to oil, and I use it in cooking and in things like salad dressings. 

Di Salvo’s Pasta Sauce Original Recipe

I don’t know what their secret is, but Di Salvo makes the best tomato sauce on the planet. It’s made without any sugar! Try it; you will love it.

Eric 

Mix & Match 6 Packs

A great way to sample several different local craft beers! (Willy West only)

 

Sarah

Simple Soyman Tofu

I never cared about what kind of tofu I bought until I bought Simple Soyman, and now I can’t buy anything else. Before trying it, I didn’t even know what a huge difference there could be between brands of tofu. This is what tofu is supposed to taste like. The texture, the flavor, everything about it is perfect. I’ve even found it to be easier to cook with than the other tofu I’ve used in the past.

Megan

Mad Maiden Shrub

This is the first drinking vinegar to hit the market that uses locally grown ingredients; plus, it’s super tasty! I usually just add it to plain or sparkling water to make a simple yet sophisticated beverage.

Dean

Yumbutter Almond Butter

It’s great for hiking. You can also just squeeze it onto a spoon and share it (or directly into your mouth)!


Zelda

Angelica’s Garden Lime Kvass

LIME KVASS IS MY NEW FAVORITE THING IT IS SO GOOD IT IS THE BEST. Sweet and tart, this little darlin’ packs a mighty delicious probiotic punch. Locally made in Elmwood, Wisconsin. A small glass before bed is the perfect after-dinner digestif.

Amy

Porchlight Products Multi-Grain Pancake Mix

A wonderful pancake mix that is not only seriously tasty, Porchlight also teaches skill-building jobs, which earns vital revenue for their non-profit agency. Porchlight also provides emergency shelter, food, employment services, counseling and affordable transitional and permanent housing to over 8,000 people annually.

Madame Chu Sauces and Pastes

Instant POW in your plain ol’ veggies, eggs orchicken! A massive amount of gourmet Southeast Asian flair. Sambal Nyonya brings a most fragrant heat. Ginger Garlic for fans of either is the more mild option, but certainly not any less lacking in flavor. Support this blossoming local business with these must-have condiments in your kitchen! 

Ashley

Quince and Apple Syrups and Jams

Quince and Apple syrups and jams are specially made right here in Madison. With unusual flavor pairings like black tea and fig, your gift will be consumed with curious delight. Go one step further and add a nice cheese and water crackers for a complete gift.

Ansley

Sassy Cow
Salted Caramel Ice Cream

This is definitely the best salted caramel ice cream I’ve ever had. I’m lucky the rest of my family loves it too, because I could eat the whole quart! Plus, it’s made just outside Madison!

Rishi Lavender Earl Grey Black Tea

I’ve been making this tea into iced London Fogs all summer! Pour over ice, add a little honey and a splash of vanilla, and top with milk of choice! (I like Living Harvest Tempt Original Coconut Hempmilk.) Delicious, refreshing, and a little caffeine—perfection!

UP4™ Kids Cubes

These are amazing! They’re chewable and delicious, so my son not only remembers to take a probiotic every day, but also looks forward to it! Made locally in Middleton!

Willy Street Co-op Pizza Dough

I throw this in a cast iron skillet in the oven with my homemade sauce and the pre-packaged pizza cheese from the Deli plus whatever is floating around the fridge. In 20 minutes, I have the tastiest thick-crust, crispy-but-soft pizza ever!

Willy Street Co-op Veggie Breakfast Sandwich

I always look forward to my morning shift at West because it means I can get a breakfast sandwich! Toasty biscuit with egg and cheesy mushrooms and onions—yum! It’s fast, easy and the price is oh-so-right. (West only.) 

Amy

Carmella’s Italian-Style Barbeque Sauce with Bacon

Amazing BBQ sauce! And Carmella’s only has 3g of sugar per serving. My previous favorite had 12g per serving. And Carmella’s tastes so fresh! I love it!


Kristi Jo

Four Elements Herb-Infused Body Oils

The Love scent is made up of cinnamon, rose and sandalwood essential oils. Very hydrating and smells wonderful!

Sartori Montamoré® Cheese

Fruity and creamy. Great on crackers or in a grilled cheese.

Lacey

Four Elements Herbals Soaps

I love the fact that ingredients for these soaps were grown in Wisconsin. They all smell super-wonderful! 


Helen

LüSa Organics Purification Cedar Sage Soap

I love the earthy, sweet scent of this soap. The smell lingers nicely after a shower and isn’t overwhelming. 

Marieke Foenegreek® Gouda

The creamy richness of the gouda goes very well with the toasted flavor of the fenugreek. I love eating this cheese by itself, or with crackers and some fresh fruit. 

Abigail

Orchard Street Press Clothing

Represent your true (or inner) Midwestern self with these super-cool and beautiful Milwaukee-designed and -printed shirts and onesies. 

Lily 

Stoney River Soap
Lavender-Spearmint 

I love this local soap; the scent is refreshing, and it lasts a long time. Made in Oxford, Wisconsin by hand using essential oils, non-GMO coconut oil, non-GMO olive oil, and organic sustainable palm oil. This soapis always on my list for Wellness Wednesday. 

Kristin

tera’swhey Simply Pure Fair Trade Certified™ Dark Chocolate Whey Protein

When I first heard about this product years ago, I thought it was great that it was born out of a desire to use the whey that was extracted during the cheese-making process. High in protein, it turns out that it tastes great too! I love adding this to smoothies—my favorite combination is blueberry, spinach and coconut milk with the chocolate tera’s whey. I’ve also used it to make protein shakes for my daughter with just the tera’s whey and milk.

 

gianofer

Pinn Oaks Farm Ground Lamb

Makes the best Shepherd’s Pie in TOWN!!!



Kelsey

Willy Street Co-op Chicken Empanada Pocket

Our empanadas are delicious hot or cold. They’re not too spicy—just a bit of a kick. Yummy chicken and veggies and a flaky crust. 

Greenbush Bakery Sour Cream Cake Donuts

These glazed donuts are simple and so good, either as a breakfast treat or dipped in hot cocoa 

Roth Original Havarti Cheese

This Havarti is delicious. It’s great for sandwiches, salads, burgers, or just on its own. I’m partial to the original, but this local company has a few yummy varieties you can try.

Jamie

Willy Street Co-op Red Curry Tofu

Exciting tofu? It’s real, folks! Lightly seasoned with Indian spices to give the dish an irresistible flavor. The tofu is prepared to the texture of perfectly hard-boiled egg white—not rubbery! The flavor of this dish will turn any tofu skeptic into a tofu lover!


Katie

Willy Street Co-op Almond Milk

It’s 100% pure almond milk. It tastes so much fresher than a boxed milk and it contains no additives. My favorite way to use this almond milk is whipped into a smoothie with fruits and veggies. (East and West only.)


Patrick

Willy Street Co-op Blueberry Lemon Cake

Local blueberries create a vibrant purple frosting slathered over dense, bright yellow cake. I love this one.



Anna

Willy Street Co-op Make Your Own Smoothie

A while ago, I tried to recreate something similar in taste to an Orange Julius. With a base of coconut milk and orange juice, add strawberry, banana, and pineapple. It’s soooo good! If you order one, please refer to it as “The Anna” so I look cool. I’m kidding, but for real, it’s super tasty. 

Andrea

Willy Street Co-op Sausages

They’re fast, easy and so satisfying. I love all the different kinds our Meat department makes. Now that grilling season’s coming, these guys will become a staple.

Sharon

Widmer’s Two Year Old Cheddar

This has become my cheese staple. It has enough tang to be eaten solo with some fresh grapes or a perfect pear, and it is sublime in a grilled cheese or on top of a turkey burger or hamburger. I rarely make a shopping trip without adding this cheese to my cart.

Anna

Cesar’s Queso Fresco

So good! Great flavor, really crumbly, really delicious.



Joe

Willy Street Co-op Bone Broth

It’s the real deal: slow-simmered from grass-fed beef bones and a touch of cider vinegar. You can add your choice of salt if desired, or not.


Ian

Willy Street Co-op Meatballs

Perfectly seasoned; whether eating them by themselves or in a red sauce, you don’t need to add anything—they are good to go and delicious!



Katherine

Willy Street Co-op Almond Cheeze Balls

These cheeze balls are deceptively delicious for people of any diet and are great to share with friends. The product itself is also very unique because it is utilizing a waste product from the production of almond milk in the Juice Bar. (East and West only.)

Philip

Sungold Tomatoes

These are the perfect snack for anyone on the go! They’re sweet and delicious and a great addition to any salad.

Regenerative Roots Heirloom Tomatoes

These delicious tomatoes fit well with any dinner. They have a rich earthy flavor and will add a pop of color to any dish. Buy a bunch and make some salsa, or a few to make a quick caprese salad.

Sweet Italian Frying Peppers

They are a local, quick and healthy snack! You can add to any dish for a sweet, delicious crunch. Cut them up for your kids’ school lunches. Their sweet taste will be a real treat!

 

 

 

 

 

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