August Feedback Responses 2024

Request that we carry:

Chobani Vanilla Oatmilk- You used to carry this but have discontinued it

Response:

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your interest in Chobani Vanilla Oatmilk! We understand how frustrating it can be when a favorite product is no longer available. Unfortunately, it was discontinued by both of our main distributors, which means we aren’t able to carry it at the moment. We’re always on the lookout for new options that might be a good substitute. If there’s anything similar you’re interested in trying, or if you have any other products in mind that you’d like to see us carry, please feel free to let us know! We really appreciate your feedback and your continued support of the Davis Food Co-op.

-Rocio, Operations Manager

Request that we carry:

Good Culture Cottage Cheese (not lactose free!) You use to carry it

Response:

Thank you for your suggestion and for noticing that we used to carry Good Culture Cottage Cheese. Unfortunately, right now our distributor is experiencing manufacturing issues, which is affecting our ability to restock it. We’ve been regularly trying to order it, and we’re hopeful it’ll be back on our shelves soon. We’ll keep an eye on the situation and bring it back as soon as it becomes available. We really appreciate your patience and your support of the Co-op. If there’s anything else we can help with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

-Rocio, Store Operations and Facilities Manager

What if the Co-op did this:

Please paint the Co-op floor! I have repeatedly supported this over the years! No response except once they said they had to move the shelving to a more permanent position. That was done long ago! Paint it a beautiful brown like Trader Joes. It will upgrade the store, bring in more customers who were appalled at the BLACK-MOLD looking areas on floor. WAKE UP!! It looks terrible! can you envision what a painted floor would look like and do for the store? Use your imagination and visualize it as you walk thru the store, please! Ps- A board member did try to contact me by phone but we didn’t connect.

Email Response:

 Thanks for reaching out with your capital expenditure suggestion. Redoing the Co-op’s floors has been an identified project and your comments shed light on its importance. There are many other projects that have also been identified through a comprehensive reserve study conducted in 2021. In the last few years the Co-op has invested in the facility through a new roof, on site generator, replacing of essential equipment and infrastructure in the back of the store, and completing a cheese department remodel. The Board works with the General Manager to understand the greatest needs for capital expenditure and plans accordingly for them each year. Sometimes it feels like we are in triage mode with the amount of deferred maintenance we are trying to prioritize and catch up on. We will be undergoing our next budget planning in September and can provide more of an update then on where the floor project stands in terms of funding. Please feel free to attend the September 9th Board meeting for more information or reach back out after. The meeting starts at 6pm in the Teaching Kitchen across from the store. In the meantime, the Co-op’s facility team ensures the floors are cleaned each day and are safe to use for patrons.

-Board President

Request that we carry:

Anderson Valley Boont Amber Beer. You use to carry this amber beer

Phone Response:

We order from our rep on Tuesday’s. We will try to order boot amber then and see if it’s in stock and if we can get it back.

Rachael A, Specialty Manager

Request that we carry:

Bolthouse dressings & Somen Noodles

Response:

Thank you for reaching out and for suggesting Bolthouse dressings and Somen noodles! We truly appreciate your input and enthusiasm for expanding our product offerings. We’re currently exploring options with a few of our vendors to bring both of these items to the Co-op. To help us better meet your needs, could you let us know which specific Bolthouse dressings are your favorites? There are many flavors available, and this will help us ensure we bring in the varieties you love. Thank you again for your valuable suggestions and for being an engaged member of our Co-op community. We’ll keep you updated on our progress and look forward to providing these items soon!

-Rocio, Store Operations and Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Too Good Vanilla yogurt 32 oz.

Response:

Thank you for reaching out and for suggesting Too Good Vanilla in a 32oz. We love hearing directly from our customers about products they’re interested in! Currently, one of our primary distributors does not carry this specific item, but we are actively looking into other distributors who might. We’re committed to exploring all options and will keep you updated once we have a final word. Your input is greatly appreciated, and we’re always happy to consider new products that align with our customer needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other suggestions or questions. Thank you

-Rocio, Store Operations and Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Traditional Medicinal Ginger Tea. It is the only one that has the medicinal quantity of ginger I need. The ginger aide and other traditional ginger mixes are too low in doses.

Response:

Item was manufacture out, but now is available and be on the shelf in the next couple days.

-Rocio, Store Operations and Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

My apologies for being blunt, but the wine selection has gone down hill again this past year, following the departure of the last wine buyer. I’ll grant you that he did put some expensive stuff on the shelves – perhaps too much. But, he at least paid attention to what was good authentic wine from California and beyond, and didn’t just stock the shelves with cheap plonk. Right now, wines imported by Kermit Lynch are your only saving grace. You would do well to consider bringing back more Skurnik wines. But, there are wines from several importers you should be carrying (and I can recommend many). Also, take a look at what Eric Asimov from the NY times is suggesting people drink from California. Mr. Asimov is one of the best, most thoughtful wine critics out there. You would never go wrong with his selections. I have started buying wine again from other sources because your wine selection is stagnant and mostly uninteresting. The coop has done better in the past. Please try harder. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/dining/drinks/californian-wines.html

Email Response:

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We truly appreciate your honesty and your passion for quality wine. Our department has been continuously evolving as we strive to stay current with industry trends and, more importantly, meet the preferences of our customers. We understand that the selection is a critical part of your experience, and your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve. We’d love to hear more about the wines and importers you recommend. If you could share some of your favorites, we’ll certainly explore whether our current distributors carry them. Our team is committed to making thoughtful selections, and input like yours is key as we continue expanding our offerings. Thank you again for your candid feedback. We hope to bring in more of the wines you enjoy and regain your confidence in our selection.

-Rachael, Specialty Food Manager

Request that we carry:

Bar Harbor Wild Petite Sardines

Response:

Thank you for your recent suggestion for the Bar Harbor Wild Petite Sardines. We’re excited to share that we found Bar Harbor Wild Petite Sardines through one of our distributors and will be bringing it into the Co-op soon. We’re currently making space for it on our shelves and can notify you as soon as it’s available. If you prefer, you can also keep an eye out for it during your visits! Again, thank you for your input and for your support of the Co-op. We appreciate shoppers like you who help us continually improve!

-Rocio, Operations Manager

Request that we carry:

Manhattan Clam Chowder-All you have is New England

Phone Response:

Item will be available for our customers by next week.

-Rocio, Operations Manager