Department

Request/Comment

Response from the Co-op

Comment:

I took the Last of Summer Harvest Canning Class on August 30. While the class was enjoyable and the teacher was knowledgeable and a good teacher, I don’t feel that the class fulfilled the objectives. In this class no canning was actually completed. The instructor described the canning process and gave a hand-out with recipes, tools needed, etc. But the only thing that was (partially) canned were pickles. Partially, as in, they were not completely canned, they ended up being essentially refrigerator pickles. Time was spent on making tomato sauce, and salsas, but these were not canned. If items are not actually going to be canned, then the description of the class should be changed to something like “chop ingredients for and make tomato sauce and salsa”. That was basically what we did. I went in having done some canning with limited success and I wanted to learn more about the actual canning process, not how to make sauce and salsa. I think a better “canning” class might just focus on one item and going through the whole process including the entire.canning process. After this class, I am still not “confident to keep preserving on my own” as the class description stated.

Email Response:

Thank you so much for joining our Last of Summer Harvest Canning Class and for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’m sorry to hear that you left feeling like you didn’t get the full experience you were hoping for. We always hope folks leave feeling confident and inspired, and we never want the class description to be misleading about what will actually happen, so I’m sorry this one didn’t fully meet your expectations.

You’re right that a true canning process can take 12 or more hours, which doesn’t fit into a three-hour class setting. To make it doable, the instructor demonstrated a shorter method, like refrigerator pickles, and then provided the full canning process in the handout so participants could try it at home. The idea was to give you both the quick version and the longer traditional version so you have options for preserving.

I will be sure to pass along your feedback to our instructor, Alisa, since we’re always looking for ways to improve. I’m also sharing Alisa’s email here: [email protected]. She’s more than happy to answer questions or help guide you further as you continue your preserving journey.

And just in case you didn’t bring a handout home, I’ve attached a digital copy for you.

Thank you again for being part of this class and for helping us grow our cooking classes to better serve the community.

-Anna, Outreach and Content Specialist

Request that we carry:

Hi , we have been out of organic pistachios and pecans for a bit. Possible to bring them back?

Response:

Thank you for using our suggestion box! We are currently creating a space for organic pecans to return to our bulk area. Please look near the conventional pecans to find the organic ones in the coming week. As for pistachios, we currently offer an organic option for pistachios in the shell. Were you interested in shelled organic pistachios? Please let me know!

-Ryan V, Center Store Manager

Request that we carry:

Seems like pumpkin pie spice disappeared in the re organization of bulk spices. I have been purchasing it for years, you seem to have greatly reduced your bulk spices to a less efficient way of displaying them

Email Response:

Thank you for using our suggestion box! I am happy to let you know that pumpkin spice is coming back for the holiday season! Expect it to arrive back in our bulk department later this week. If you need assistance finding it, please feel free to ask any staff member.

-Ryan V, Center Store Manager

Request that we carry:

Frozen Against The Grain rosemary baguettes + large bag of Pamelas Baking Mix

Email Response:

Thank you for using our suggestion box! Just to clarify, which of Pamela’s baking mixes would you like to see brought to the co-op? It looks like they have a few options from pancake, baking and general baking flour.
Unfortunately, the Against the Grain Rosemary baguettes are pending a future manufacturing disco, so they won’t be available any longer. If there is another frozen baguette you’d like to see, please let me know!

-Ryan V, Center Store Manager

Request That We Carry:

SAN-J “Noy Soy” Sauce made from pea protein

Email Response:

Thank you for using our suggestion box! I think that is a great suggestion! I went ahead and ordered this so look for it to make its way on the shelves in the coming weeks. I think it is important to offer a soy-free alternative for tamari. If you have any further questions, please let me know!

-Ryan V, Center Store Manager