Large Potatoes
Q: I was recently in Turkey, and there is a popular street food there made from very large baking potatoes called kumpir. Is it possible to order potatoes like this? They were about the size of a football or a small cantaloupe.
A: Thank you for reaching out about potatoes. Sorry it has taken me some time to return your email, I've been on vacation. I looked into your request about large potatoes for your kumpir dish. It doesn't seem that this dish takes any specific type of potato, just a large baking potato such as a russet. Could be wherever you were in Turkey they had access to a large crop. We unfortunately don't have options for sizes of potatoes from any of our vendors. We just get in what they have available and the supply and demand for potatoes can be high so they don't have the time to leave them planted to get to the size of a small football. I hope that information is helpful and let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks, Cari Johnson, Produce Manager—West
Distilled Water
Q: I now have three household appliances that recommend using distilled water. I hate buying all those plastic jugs? Have you ever considered supplying distilled water in bulk?
A: I touched base with a couple of my colleagues about a bulk distilled water machine for our stores. Commercial units are very expensive and take up a fair amount of space, so we have not brought one in. My colleague said they have home units, so that might be a better way to go. Thank you! -Dean Kallas Grocery Category Manager
Bulk Spices
Q: Hi. I am thrilled that you have bulk spices back in stock. Thank You! We take turmeric, garlic, ginger, black pepper, red pepper, dandelion root, rooibos, mint, and gunpowder green tea on a daily basis. We are senior citizens and are quite concerned about some of the issues we have been reading re heavy metals/pesticides. We have taken our Costco turmeric back because of the Consumer Reports article, and we want to get back to getting all our bulk spices from you like we did pre-pandemic when you carried them. Would you please look at our list above and let us know how your products stack up re these issues, and get back with us—we would really appreciate it. Also, we have had a lot of problems trying to find dried seaweed that tests okay for heavy metals—even when we were shopping with Willy. Have you been able to find any of that?
Thank You
A: Thank you for your questions and comments. Our organic spices should not have any pesticides on them. I reached out to my contact at Frontier Co-op to see if they test for heavy metals in their spices as well. Their response is below. Heavy metals can occur naturally in soil, so it can be a bit tricky.
Maine Coast tests their seaweed products, so they might be a good resource for seaweed. I have not been able to determine if any of the other seaweed companies test for heavy metals though.
Here is Frontier’s response:
“Thank you for your inquiry. At Frontier Co-op, we strive to ensure that our products meet all regulatory requirements as well as high internal quality specifications and, of course, the expectations that our customers have come to expect from Frontier products. All testing is assigned based on ingredient risk.
“From the list you provided, Frontier Co-op organic dandelion root, organic ginger root, and organic turmeric root are tested for heavy metals. All materials undergo a battery of tests including sensory, microbiological, and chemical analysis to confirm quality and authenticity.
“Frontier continuously works with suppliers to ensure our products are authentic and that they continue to be of high quality and taste. We ensure that our supply chain is safe and sustainable while concomitantly supporting farming families around the world.
“Please let us know if you have any further questions."
-Frontier Co-op
Also, Frontier representative clarified their reply to me with this statement:
"In short, we do test for heavy metals in those items that have a history of containing them, or a susceptibility to contain metals. For all products, we test for a number of metrics (including microbes and chemicals)."
I hope this is helpful. In my experience, Frontier is a great company to work with and they know their products well. -Dean Kallas Grocery Category Manager
Two-Tiered Shopping Carts
Q: I was very happy when Willy North acquired a new fleet of the small two-tiered shopping carts over the past year or so, but most of them seem to have disappeared. Every time I have been at the Co-op over the past few weeks, there have not been any small carts available. I usually go out to the cart corrals in the parking lot to find one, but today there were no carts of any sort to be found in the parking lot and the store was not very busy so they were not all in use. I'm not sure what is going on, but I have a bad back and try to avoid having to use the large carts because using them puts a strain on my back.
A: Thanks for reaching out. I'm so sorry you've not been able to find the size cart you need when shopping here at Willy North.
We have definitely seen a sharp decrease in the number of shopping carts here recently, especially the small carts. We have found that our carts are frequently used by customers to transport their groceries home and aren't always being returned to the store. We send our ecommerce drivers out about once per week to collect any shopping carts they can find in the nearby neighborhoods, however we've heard that some of our carts are located in locked apartment buildings or on private property so we don't always find them all.
I'm happy to report we do have more shopping carts coming. Unfortunately, I don't have a delivery date at this time. We've also started discussing other options out there that could help us hold on to our shopping carts. Be on the lookout for new carts in the coming months. Best, Jenny Skowronek, North Store Director
Online Newsletter
Q: We love Willy St and shop there weekly. We no longer need to receive the monthly newsletter in the mail. We can easily go online or pick up a copy when we're in the store. So please cancel that mailing. Thanks
A: I'm so glad you enjoy shopping in our stores. We are so happy you are a part of the Willy Street Co-op Community! Thank you for being an Owner and supporting our cooperative.
I have updated your account so that you will no longer receive the mailed version of our newsletter. -Rosalyn Murphy, Owner Records Administrator
Full Cakes
Q: I'm hoping to order a full cake from your bakery/catering services, can you point me in the right direction? Do I need to stop in person to order, or can I do this online? Thanks so much!
A: Great news. We do sell whole cakes. We have them pre-made and frozen and they are sold by a preorder. If you are in need of one right away, please call the East side and ask for the deli supervisor. If it can wait until tomorrow, then Bob the Deli Manager or Max the Deli Assistant Manager will get back to you tomorrow. Thanks for inquiring! -Amanda Ikens, Owner Resources Coordinator
Peaches
Q: I purchased a peach from West last Friday, August 5th. It looked good, but when I cut into it, there was absolutely no flavor! I just expected better from the Co-op.
A: First, I'd like to thank you for leaving a comment with us about our peaches. We appreciate all feedback from customers. Second, I'd like to apologize that the peach you purchased here recently was not up to par for you. Our turnover rate on most product is so quick, we can't always have only the ripest on the floor. I know a lot of our stone fruit comes in under ripe and as such is going to be less flavorful. Some other reasons for the lack of flavor could be harvesting too soon or the trees were in too cold of temperatures. We strive to bring in top notch product and are constantly working to ensure only the best is out on our shelves. We did recently receive a shipment of Colorado peaches and these tend to be more flavorful and sweet.
Again, thank you for writing in with your concerns. Cari Johnson, Produce Manager—West
Brand Questions
Q: I noticed that we carry 7th Generation, Mrs. Meyers, Ecover, etc.- all of which are owned by either Unilever or SC Johnson. Why do we support these greenwashed brands?
A: Thank you for your question! These are brands we have traditionally carried over the years from when they were independently owned until today. We also carry cleaning products from Better Life, Ecos, and Biokleen. Many Owners seem to enjoy these cleaning brands, as evident by their purchasing habits, which is why we sell them. I am wondering what brands you would like to see on our shelves? Have a nice day! -Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
More Stores?
Q: Are there any plans in the future to open stores that are more accessible to Fitchburg/Verona/McFarland/Oregon area? I'd love to shop here, become a member, and support the cause, but it's hard with the distance. Appreciate any insight.
A: I appreciate your interest in and inquiring about our plans to open a south location.
We are not planning to open a fourth site in the foreseeable future.
If/when we are in the position to consider a fourth store, I imagine the area you suggested will be considered.
Best regards, Anya Firszt, General Manager