Date

Request/Comment

Response from the Co-op

What if the Co-op did this:

I would be interested in many of your tea blends-however, not knowing the ingredients keeps me from purchasing

Email Response:

Thank you for reaching out and expressing your interest in our tea blends. We understand how important it is to have complete ingredient information when making purchasing decisions, especially for products like tea.

We are currently in the process of revamping our bulk department’s layout, including our tea section, to make it easier for our shoppers to find the products they love. As part of this effort, we are actively working with our vendors to obtain more detailed ingredient information for all our tea blends.

We appreciate your patience and are pleased to let you know that this information should be available soon. Please keep an eye out for updates in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you have any further questions, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to assist.

Thank you again for your feedback, and we look forward to serving you!

-Vince O., Point of Sales/Receiving Manager

Request that we carry:

Quinoa Choc Chip cookies-You used to carry more varieties of cookies with whole grains. Return quinoa choc chip and more Jovial Einkorn options.

Email Response:

Thank you so much for your suggestion! For the Quinoa Chocolate Chip cookies, we did carry them from the brand Andean Dream, but unfortunately, both of our warehouses have discontinued the item, so it’s no longer available. However, we can definitely look into bringing in more Jovial Einkorn products and expanding our whole grain cookie selection. If you’re looking for something specific, we always have the option to place special orders, so let us know what you’d like, and we’ll do our best to assist you. Thanks again for your feedback.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Peach Black Tea CBD drink by Zentopia- The mate ones taste bad

Email Response:

Thank you for your suggestion regarding the Zentopia drink.
We still currently carry this item. It is out of stock at the moment and we are working on spacing to fit all of the flavors.
It should be back on the shelf soon.
If you can’t find it in the grab and go section, try looking in the wellness fridge near the wellness desk.

-Rayvyn, Wellness Manager

Request that we carry:

Bulk bread- I am requesting you carry this product because I think it would be really helpful for bread makers. I go through around 1.5kg of flour a week, so I finish bags of flour very quickly. Thank you for your consideration.

Email Response:

Thank you for your request for bulk bread flour – we really appreciate your input, and it’s great to hear that our products are helping fuel your baking!
For the bulk bread flour, we’re currently working with our UNFI representative to see if they can help us bring it in. Unfortunately, it’s not listed in their catalog, but we’re continuing to search for a way to get it on our shelves. As soon as we’re able to secure it, we’ll make it available.

Thanks again for your patience and for being part of our community. I’ll be in touch with any updates, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other suggestions or requests.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Mt. Capra Protein Powder.
Thank you for the great service whenever I visit the Co-op. I am requesting that you carry their protein powder because it is much cleaner than other brands, meaning that it is easy to digest and it doesn’t have random filler ingredients that may cause gut issues. Thank you for your consideration

Email Response:

Thank you so much for your product suggestion regarding Mt. Capra protein.
Please give me time to look into this product. If it is available to us through a distribution we order from we will bring it in and try it out. If it is unavailable to us I will look for other options that are comparable.
I understand this specific protein is derived from goats, however we do have a very clean, minimal ingredient protein powder available on the shelf but it is a plant based powder. The brand is called Truvani if you want to look into it.

Thank you again for bringing this brand to our attention.

-Rayvyn, Wellness Manager

Request that we carry:

I’ve seen a variety of syrups, but not carob syrup. Carob syrup is used in some Middle Eastern dishes as well as being useful for baking, having over ice cream, making carob milk, or even using to make a teriyaki style sauce. It’d be nice not to have to drive 400 miles to get some. https://karabetian.com/product/carob-molasses-salloum-bros-brand-12-800-g/
Just FYI, I recently had a UC Davis student from Portugal ask me where to buy carob powder and I had to steer them elsewhere because the Co-op doesn’t carry it.

I’d be happy to teach a class on carob in the Co-op Teaching Kitchen.

Email Response:

Thank you for reaching out and sharing more about the uses and demand for carob syrup and powder. I completely understand the need for these specialty items and can imagine the extra effort it takes to find them!
For carob syrup, I’ve checked with our primary warehouses, and unfortunately, none currently carry it. However, I’m reaching out to other independent suppliers to explore all possible options, and I’ll keep you updated as soon as I have any news.

As for carob powder, we’re aware of the demand, and while it’s currently out of stock due to manufacturing issues, we’re in line to receive it as soon as it becomes available.

Thank you for your patience, and for steering that UC Davis student our way – we’re always here to help! I’ll be in touch with updates, but in the meantime, please feel free to reach out with any other product requests or questions.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Ripple plant based chocolate (or other flavors) protein shakes individual servings.

Email Response:

Hi Amy, Thank you for your recent suggestion. I’m happy to let you know that we do carry chocolate Ripple plant-based protein shakes. You can find them in individual servings on aisle 13, located on the top shelf. If you need any further assistance while you’re in the store, feel free to ask! We’re always happy to help.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Plantlife Herbal Lip balm-You use to carry it. It’s my favorite. It’s a salve and heals wounds too!

Email Response:

Thank you for your suggestion.
We added this item to our order. If it is in stock with the company we should have it on our shelves within 2 weeks.

Thank you again.
Have a great week.

-Rayvyn, Wellness Manager

Request that we carry:

Gluten free Muesli

Email Response:

Thank you for reaching out with your request for gluten-free muesli! We appreciate your feedback and understand how important it is to have gluten-free options available.
We’re currently in touch with our UNFI representative to see if we can bring in a suitable gluten-free muesli option.

As we continue to explore possibilities, we want to thank you for your patience as we work to expand our selection to meet your needs. Please feel free to reach out with any other requests or feedback – we’re always here to help

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

No salt added version of the Organicville stoneground mustard

Phone call response:

Item is going to be available instore by next week.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Franklin Farms Chickpea Tofu

Email Response:

Thank you for your suggestion that we carry Franklin Farms Tofu! We’re always on the lookout for new and interesting products to carry in our store. We have looked into the availability of this product from our suppliers and it seems like the product is currently showing an Out of Stock status. We will continue to make an attempt to bring this product in, but currently we cannot guarantee when that will be. In the meantime keep an eye out for future updates! Thanks again.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Gallon-sized apple juice or apple cider- in glass!

Email Response:

Thank you so much for your suggestions.  We looked through all of our main distributors but, unfortunately we were only able to bring a 96oz apple juice in glass.  Is going to be available in-store by the end of the week.  We reached out to other vendors to hope we can find a gallon size apple juice or apple cider in glass.  We hope to find a way to bring it to the Co-op in the near future.  Thank you for your understanding and for sharing your suggestion with us.  

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Rennet tablets for cheesemaking (might be freezable)

Email Response:

Thank you for suggesting we carry rennet tablets.
Unfortunately, we haven’t found rennet tablets available through our main distributor, UNFI, but we’re continuing to research other potential sources. This process may take some time, but I’ll keep you updated as we look for a way to bring it in.

Thank you for your patience, and please feel free to share any additional suggestions in the meantime. We’re here to help.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Please consider stocking smaller notecards (thank yous, blanks, etc.) Small cards are good for thank yous. Thee Co-op used to have good ones.

Email Reponse:

Thank you for your suggestion.
We will be sure to add smaller notecards to our set.

Our notecards are more a seasonal item, so you will see a bigger selection during the holiday season.

-Rayvyn, Wellness Manager

Request that we carry:

Salt free Mustard- You use to carry salt free (what happened)

Phone call response:

item is going to be available instore by next week.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Stools in bathrooms for kids to wash their hands

Response:

No response wanted but we did order new step & wash stools for the restrooms as this is a good idea. 

-Ed, Maintenance & Facilities Manager

Request that we carry:

Braggs Amino Acids (pocket sized)

Email Response:

Hello Christopher,
Thank you so much for your suggestion.  We looked through all of our main distributors but, unfortunately couldn’t find Braggs Amino Acids (pocket sized) you’re looking for.  We’ve since reached out to one of our reps for additional support, but at the moment, we aren’t able to carry this item.  We hope to find a way to bring it to the Co-op in the near future.  Thank you for your understanding and for sharing your suggestion with us. 

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager 

Comment:

Please bring back the smaller sized shopping carts. They were perfect size and maneuvered around the store well.

Email Response:

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback. We understand the preference for the green metal carts and appreciate that their size has been ideal for many members. The switch to larger carts was based on customer feedback. However, we’ve kept the same number of green metal carts available, as we know they’re a favorite for many. The smaller carts have been more frequently removed from the store, so our team works hard to collect and return them from around town.

We also want to note that the green metal carts are now stationed in the cart corral located in the parking lot. So next time you visit the Co-op, please check that area to grab a green cart. Your input is invaluable, and we’ll keep it in mind as we continue to make improvements for the Co-op.

-Rocio, Operations & Facilities Manager

Comment:

Why the switch from the green metal grocery carts to the big black plastic grocery carts? The green ones are a good size, not too large and not plastic.

Email Response:

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback. We understand the preference for the green metal carts and appreciate that their size has been ideal for many members. The switch to larger carts was based on customer feedback. However, we’ve kept the same number of green metal carts available, as we know they’re a favorite for many. The smaller carts have been more frequently removed from the store, so our team works hard to collect and return them from around town.

We also want to note that the green metal carts are now stationed in the cart corral located in the parking lot. So next time you visit the Co-op, please check that area to grab a green cart. Your input is invaluable, and we’ll keep it in mind as we continue to make improvements for the Co-op.

-Ed, Maintenance & Facilities Manager