May 2008
Can change be good for the soul?
Q: Although the new “look” and better organization is pleasant and functional, I can see that Davis, like many other places, is stepping out of the “small town” image I am accustomed to. But, change is good for the soul.
- A.H.
A: Thank you so much for your flexibility and for taking the time to make a comment.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: This place has become a Nugget clone!! If I wanted to shop at Safeway or Nugget, I would!! As a member, I’d prefer lower prices to these absurd “renovation” projects that only seem to make the Co-op into a mainstream market clone.
- Anonymous
A: I’m sorry the new items and recent changes in our store don’t appeal to you. In a recent survey, many of our shoppers told us what they liked about other local stores. We listened and have tried to include many of the items and services they asked for in our remodel plan. Our sales have increased, so we know by one measure we’ve succeeded. Of course we can always do better, what specifically would you like to see in the store?
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Part of the renovation should include putting in a solar-powered retractable roof so on beautiful sunny days, such as this, we can all enjoy the weather and get out from the artificial light. I’m sure the cost would be minimal.
- C.
A: Six years ago we installed several banks of conventional solar panels on the roof. Three years ago we re-roofed with a solar roof—photovoltaic panels laminated to the roofing material. In addition to saving thousands of dollars on energy costs, we avoid releasing 58,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: In the January 2008 newsletter, I couldn’t help noticing the 3 “suggestion box” letters objecting to the dramatic rise in Co-op prices. I have similar concerns. For example, Chandler walnuts are now $9.66/lb! Ouch! In June ’07, they were $5.55/lb (I checked an old receipt). $9.66/lb is the highest price locally, as far as I can determine. Even Nugget charges considerable less, $6.99/lb. And at Farmer’s Market last week, I happily bought one pound of Chandler walnuts from McDonald Orchards for $6.00. Nugget is known to be the priciest store in this area, yet the Co-op now charges more than Nugget for several items I routinely buy. I understand Beth Tausczik’s response to the 3 letters. But I’m also afraid that if the pricing trend continues, the Co-op will become a place where only a small segment of the population will be able to shop.
- R.F.
A: I’m sorry that we have disappointed you; we remain committed to providing healthy food for the entire community. We have the same our overall pricing structure that we have had for years. However we do raise prices in response to cost increases. For 2008 the USDA projects a 3.5 to 4.5 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food-at-home (groceries). The CPI increased 4.2 percent between 2006 and 2007 for food-at-home, the highest annual increase since 1990. We also occasionally make pricing errors; a number of months ago we had an incorrectly low walnut price.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Please move the pastry/cookie tables out of the main walkway. Also the produce aisle is a nightmare.
- Anonymous
A: Thanks for taking the time to comment on the traffic flow just inside the South entrance. I agree it hasn’t been easy to negotiate that area. We’ve made some changes opening up a larger aisle way between the deli, the bakery tables, and the produce. We’re consulting with our interior designer and will continue to fine-tune the layout until we get a workable set-up. Thanks for all your patience with us.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The new colors are good. The green near the checkout needs to go, though. It’s too blue-green, not warm or comfortable. Also, the area near the milk/dairy products is way too congested. It looks like the plan is to change the layout, though.
- Anonymous
A: Colors do evoke strong emotions. I agree that particular green in that spot does feel unfriendly. I’ve talked to our interior designer he assures me the ambiance near the cashiers will change once we re-hang our local landscapes the rest of the store is painted with the new colors.
Yes, you are so right that is the worst, most annoying bottleneck in the store. It will months before are finally able to totally fix that area. In the meantime we will be replacing the current bread shelves with slimmer metro shelves and eliminating that congesting stack of wine on the North end of the bread.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The tables of baked goods at the entrance create a traffic jam of carts and people, and the wine display that is close to the self-serve deli does the same. This arrangement may be temporary, but it’s not the most welcoming feeling when coming in to shop. Seems like it’s a case of “fashion” over “function.”
- B.A.
A: We’ve made a number of changes to the area just inside the South entrance. In November and December we were so ecstatic with the tremendous increases in bakery and wine sales that we got overly enthusiastic with displays and created a real traffic problem there. In response to customers’ concerns we have widened the aisle and rearranged the displays. I hope it feels more welcoming to you now. Please let me know if you are still struggling with ambiance up there.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Please warn readers of Co-op News that a group soliciting outside our store, Environment California, used intimidating, pressuring techniques to get $ out of my teenager. It sounded very unethical, even calling him to continue pressuring him to donate via a monthly deduction from his credit card.
- J.M.
A: Thanks for alerting us to the problem with Environmental California. Doug Walter, our Membership Director, oversees free speech activities on our patio. He has spoken with the supervisor of Environmental California’s canvassers. She promises to retrain the canvassers not to solicit from teenagers under 18 years old. Please let us know if you have any additional problems with any free-speech activities on the patio.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Please decrease the volume of the overhead announcer. It is too loud and annoying. Thank you.
- J.M.
A: Thanks for letting us know that the store intercom is too loud in the bulk area and near the produce displays. We will try to fine-tune it. Unfortunately it is really old–almost 20 years old— and temperamental. If the volume isn’t more to your liking by the time you read this just let us know. We will be happy to try again.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The metal shelves are too high. The sale items should be moved to the middle shelf. I don’t buy the top items sometimes because the HABA workers seem so busy. Sometimes I go instead to another store. Like when Tea Tree pads were on sale (top shelf), I went to Trader Joes instead (bottom shelf).
- Anonymous
Q: In general, the new vertical approach puts some of us at a disadvantage. I cannot reach what is displayed on the upper shelves in all departments.
-S
A: I’m truly sorry that many shoppers find the new shelving too high. Given the limited space in the store, number of requests for additional products that we regularly receive, and the age of our old shelving, we decided to switch to Metro shelving. We’ve been able to add new products and sales have increased in the remodeled areas. We have tried to place the most popular products in the most accessible locations. In a typical month we put over a thousand items on sale, and we just don’t have enough labor to rearrange the shelves so sale items will always be in the middle of the displays. If you have specific suggestions about products that you would like to see permanently moved we’d love to hear them.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: We always seem to be out of pink special order forms.
- A.G.
A: Our apologies for the oversight. You can ask any staff member for a special order form and they will get you one. We will do our best to keep them stocked.
- Seth McOmber, Marketing Coordinator
April 2008
Eat delicious soup, drop the plastic
Q: Greetings. You sell San Francisco Soup Co. products. Delicious soup. However, the containers are #5 plastic, which cannot be recycled in Davis. Only #1 and #2 are recyclable here. We cannot buy SFSoupCo products while the company uses #5 plastic containers. Cheers.
- S.H.
A: Our staff will encourage SF Soup to source containers that can be recycled at curbside. You can drop off rigid-sided #5 plastics (as well as #3, #6, and #7) for recycling at the Davis Waste Removal Drop-Off Recycling Center (2727 Second Street). The drop off center is open 24/7 for recycling paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastic (all but #4) Thanks.
- Eric Stromberg, General Manager
Q: We always seem to be out of all Village Bakery sourdough breads (including rustic rolls, Levain, etc). We’ve been here 7 or 8 times in January and you almost never have it. Very frustrating!
- B. & L. W.
A: I’m sorry you ran into this frustrating experience. We made numerous requests to increase our bread order from Village Bakery, only to discover miscommunication had our requests falling on deaf ears. We just recently repaired the channels of communication and expect the situation to improve. Additionally, we’ve added anew line of fresh-baked breads (Acme Bread, which comes to us from Berkeley), which should help with demand.
- Mark Vander Werf, Grocery/Bulk Manager
Q: The blueberry muffins are frequently pale and anemic looking. They used to be golden brown, now they look under-baked. Has the equipment changed?
- L.
A: There’s been no change in the equipment, but we have been training new staff. I’ve asked them to bake the muffins a little longer, which will hopefully return the blueberry muffins to their former golden glory.
- Valerie Alden, Bakery Department
Q: Please keep paper towels by the water-filling stations.
- Anonymous
A: We do try to keep paper towels by the water filling stations, as keeping our floors dry and spill-free is a major safety concern for us. I’m sorry that they were not there when you were in. We will check on them more often.
- Becky Santos, Bulk Department
Q: We should have cheap, wrapper-less bar soap in bulk, so for the same price as Ivory, you don’t have to waste all that plastic and paper and still get cheap soap.
- E.B.
A: Unfortunately, not many companies provide this item with a workable display. There is one that does, but the price on their product would definitely not be as cheap as the Ivory soap we currently carry. I’m glad you brought this up, because it’s something we’ve considered in the past, and we will consider it in the future.
- Rose McFadden, General Merchandise Manager
Q: The price/barcode stickers leave a sticky residue on the stone hearts, etc. Can’t we put the price on the basket/container holding these products instead of pricing them individually?
- R.F.
A: This is not an item we will be carrying regularly (they were a specialty item for Valentine’s Day), so unfortunately I think the damage is already done for this year. If we bring them back next year, I will keep this suggestion in mind.
- Rose McFadden, General Merchandise Manager
Q: What happened to the Thai Curry Cashews? I love those nuts! Where did they go?
- Y. & E.
A: Thai Curry Cashews will be back soon. We had to take them off the shelf (so to speak) temporarily due to space issues. Thanks for letting me know that you enjoy this product!
- Becky Santos, Bulk Department
Q: Thanks for carrying Maui Taro Burgers. My family absolutely enjoys a soy-free vegan burger. Than you SO much for carrying it here at the DFC! I can never find it anywhere else! Yum! Thanks again!
- C.L.
A: Thank you for your feedback! Unfortunately, our distributor has stopped carrying this product, and it will soon be disappearing from our shelves.
- Mark Vander Werf, Grocery/Bulk Manager
Q: I was disappointed to see Brother David Beer has increased by ~ $1.50, while Nugget sells for $4.99. Is this permanent?
- K.C.
A: Unfortunately, this price increase is one of the first you’ll see in beer prices across the board both at the DFC and at other stores. There’s been a worldwide shortage of barley and hops, causing brewers to pass their costs on to the consumer. For more information, see this article on NPR’s website: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16245024
- Mark Vander Werf, Grocery/Bulk Manager
Q: According to some health experts, probiotics in pill form need an enteric coating to allow the organisms to pass through the stomach without being damaged by stomach acid. They then reach the intestines in viable form, where they are used by the body after the enteric coating is disintegrated by intestinal enzymes. At the Co-op, I buy 2 types of probiotics. One, Nature’s Way Primadophilus “original” is “enteric-coated” for “targeted delivery.” The other, DFC Freeze-Dried Acidophilus, does not have an enteric coating… or if it does, it is not stated on the bottle. I would appreciate hearing how the Co-op product survives stomach acid. Thank you.
- R.F.
A: They use a polysaccharide matrix which is insoluble at a low pH. “The gel matrix dissolves in the duodenum where the pH is increased and the probiotic bacteria are then released in their full biologically active state. The laboratory and clinical tests confirm survival of probiotic bacteria with the polysaccharide matrix after exposure to extreme acid conditions in vitro and after passage through the stomach in vivo.”
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Greetings – I am seriously concerned about the amount of Horizon dairy products carried by our store. I have read the Cornucopia Institute’s report on organic dairy operations in the US and was disturbed to learn that Horizon, among others, was in violation of the USDA’s (somewhat weak) organic standards.
I have several issues with the Co-op carrying Horizon products. Firstly, it is not actually organic. Through its refusal to pasture their cows and through the addition of conventionally raised cows to their herd, Horizon is clearly not practicing good organic farming. Secondly, because it is adding conventional cows to its herd, there is no assurance that these cows have not been fed blood meal or treated with rBGH. Thirdly, it is not local, nor even Californian, and thus emits significant greenhouse gases due to long-distance transportation of its products. Fourthly, some of their suppliers engage in labor abuses. Given these points, I suggest that carrying Horizon products is a violation of Board policy E1.
I buy organic milk for several reasons. I don’t want to be exposed to unnecessary antibiotics. I don’t want to be drinking/eating milk contaminated with pus due to mastitis, and I don’t want to run the risk of mad cow disease. Additionally, I do not want to support the mistreatment of animals that is routine in conventional dairies. In the course of my work for Solano County, I have had to tour some of our local conventional dairies. I could describe the practices I have seen, but I think you would be lucky to keep your breakfast if I did.
There are several Californian truly organic dairies in our area: Organic Pastures Dairy, Clover Stornetta, Humboldt Creamery, Strauss Family Creamery, Wallaby Yogurt, and Natural Choice (ice cream). Carrying their products would seem to be much more consistent with the Co-op’s principles.
- E.G.
A: Thank you for your concern. Co-op staff is aware of the issues surrounding Horizon and Aurora dairies. Horizon milk and butter has not been in our dairy case for some time.
The Davis Food Co-op dairy case has no Horizon milk or butter. There is a limited selection of Horizon yogurt in diary, and aseptic (shelf stable) single serve milks in the soy milk section. Horizon yogurt sells slowly and may soon be discontinued. We also do not stock Woodstock Farms milk, made by Aurora.
We do feature Strauss (dairy and ice cream), Clover, Organic Pastures, Organic Valley (California Pastures), Wallaby yogurt, Humboldt Creamery (ice cream), Natural Choices (ice cream) and many local cheeses as well.
Information about Horizon and Aurora had been posted in-store by the dairy case and on the food issue information board when the story first broke. I hope this addresses your concerns.
- Eric Stromberg, General Manager
Q: Produce department needs help!! Many items have not been ordered and others look spoiled. Not the usual quality. I was told Manager was sick and Asst Manager on vacation. Can some one plan for a backup person?
- L.W.
A: I’m sorry that you had an unpleasant shopping experience; we are currently working to correct what we can, though some factors are, practically speaking, beyond our control. For instance, the cold and flu season hit our department very hard this year—as we work in very close quarters; it’s possible to end up short a few people at once. We are currently working to cross-train employees from other departments to help when we’re short-staffed in produce. There are also seasonal considerations: during the winter months, much of the produce we carry has traveled long distances or been in controlled storage, so its quality is not as prime as it is during the rest of the year.
- Bija Young, Assistant Produce Manager
Q: Please mark the bulk teas if they are herbal (caffeine free), decaf or caffeine.
- Anonymous
A: Thank you for the suggestion. As we update our signs for the Bulk spices and teas, we will include this information.
- Becky Santos, Bulk Department
Q: It would be really helpful if all of the different chilis in the bulk spice area had their heat units listed.
- R.
A: We will list this information as it becomes available.
- Becky Santos, Bulk Department
Q: I can’t believe how ugly the Co-op is now! The metal shelves look like a warehouse and are way too tall! Sign says, “Please don’t reach,” but then I have to go up and down aisles trying to find someone and if I want to look at more than one item, does the employee just stand there and/or I feel rushed and therefore, not get anything? There should be signs where items used to be directing customer to where they are now. Organic & conventional produce are next to each other so easy to get wrong thing and there seems to be less organic produce. Two workers agreed. CRAZY.
- C.C.
A: We have installed a specially-made plexiglass divider to separate the conventional produce from the organic produce—hopefully this will clear up the confusion. We remain committed to providing a wide selection of organic produce, and our organic selection continues to make up about 70-75% of our department. The perceived decrease in our offering of organic produce is most likely attributable to two factors: first, we are carrying a greater number of items, so the displays may seem smaller; second, we’ve been moving displays and fixtures as we figure out the best way to ease congestion and provide the easiest access to items. We are indeed diversifying our conventional produce to include many items that are either unavailable or cost-prohibitive to carry organically.
- Bija Young, Assistant Produce Manager
Q: Please carry mystery cases (12 packs) of mixed beers (example 2 American Lagers, 6-ish mixed quality & style domestics, 4-ish international brews). They’re great for entertaining.
- Anonymous
A: We would need Superworker help if we were to bring back the Personal Selection Beer 6 packs, as creating them was very labor intensive. (We were able to order blank 6 pack holders, but not 12 packs.) Any volunteers?
- Mark Vander Werf, Grocery/Bulk Manager
Q: Please clean the bulk organic long grain brown rice bin. It has been nasty for over a year. I have never been able to buy this here and have complained several times.
- C.B.
A: I’m sorry that this bin was not clean; we have taken care of it.
- Becky Santos, Bulk Department
IN BRIEF
Yes, we do have
• Rechargeable AAA batteries (and looking to stock other sizes)
• Replacement lids for glass bulk water jars
• Mrs. Meyers 64 oz detergents (Lemon, Lavender and Geranium)
• Acme Cranberry Walnut Bread
• Coffea Cruda homeopathic remedy
These are coming soon
• Mrs. Meyers Fabric Softener
We’re trying to get:
• Western Family Applesauce 43 oz
• More Kosher products
• Caffeine free organic blackberry tea
Thanks for the suggestion. We’ll look into:
• Whole Wheat Baguettes
• Gins Gins BOOST
Sorry, we don't have soace but may be special ordered:
• Newman’s Own Advanced Dog Formula 25 lb bag
• More raw food products
• It’s Alive Raw Sprouted Sauerkraut Crackers Sea Vegetable (special ordered by the case)
• Bread & Butter Pickles (special order by the case)
• Happy Baby Hash frozen organic baby food “cubes” (special order by the case)
Discontinued due to slow sales:
• Other varieties of Carr’s crackers (can be special ordered)
• Bulk Hawthorne Berries (can be special ordered)
• Tasty Bites Gang Pha Soup
• Columbia Gorge canned peaches, apricots and pears
March 2008
Carbon reduction of 58,000 lbs./year
Q: How about solar energy on the roof? That would be really cool!
N.K.
A: Hot, hot, hot, our roof is very hot especially during long cloudless summer days. And fortunately it’s also generating electrical energy for the store. Six years ago we installed several banks of conventional solar panels on the roof. Three years ago we re-roofed with a solar roof—photovoltaic panels laminated to the roofing material. In addition to saving thousands of dollars on energy costs, we avoid releasing 58,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The tables with baked goods are wonderful–but I cannot navigate my cart through them. Can they be spaced apart?
- R.T.
A: Within the next several months we will be shifting the bakery tables in the same general area to make room for our new salad bar and self-service hot food bar. I’m not sure that we will ever have enough space to make really wide aisles in that area of the store. There are so many products customers have asked for and only so much space. If you have a solution I’d love to hear from you.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: These tall shelves make our store look like a warehouse! This is not Food for Less where they stack everything up. Also coming through the North door one is almost immediately confronted by them–not at all inviting. The lady next to me at the checkout stand agreed. Are we alone in our opinion?
- E.K.
A: I’m sure that you aren’t alone. Many shoppers do like the changes, although others are dissatisfied with various aspects of the remodel. I’m sorry that the height of the shelves diminishes your shopping experience.
In a recent survey, many of our shoppers told us what they liked about other local stores that we don’t offer. And as always we’ve been keeping track of the products that customers have requested, that we haven’t had room for. Our renovation plan includes some of the aspects of other stores that members wanted such as the olive bar and more room for additional products. Unfortunately, without enlarging the building that meant higher displays. We are still learning how to make those displays both space-efficient and customer-friendly.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The sushi department of the store is outstanding. Presentations, customer service and quality of food are great.
- E.F.
A: Thank you for the compliment about the sushi. Sithu (pronounced “see two”) was very pleased. He is meticulous about presentation, and is a genuinely kind and caring person. It is rewarding to hear positive feedback! Thanks again.
- Eric Stromberg, General Manager and Sithu Tun
Q: Since the remodel of the produce everything looks great, but there are less signs about the origins of the produce. It would be cool to see these come back so I can try to buy local stuff. Thanx!
- L.T.
A: Thanks for noticing the innovation and hard work of the produce crew.
Co-op marketers, Seth McOmber and Melanie Madden, and the produce folks have been working hard on the new produce signs. They have already made all new place-of-origin signs—it was a huge job. Additionally the new signs will have the distance to each of the California farms that we buy from. Go local!
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Please put a stepstool in the produce. We short folks don’t want to try to select veggies when we are keeping someone waiting. It is embarrassing.
- J.M.
A: We have received a number of comments about products being either too high or too low in the new cases and on the new shelves. I’m so sorry that you were inconvenienced. We are still learning how to make our new look both space-efficient and customer-friendly. As a staff we are always happy to help reach products, please just ask. We will also be placing stepstools on the sales floor. Thanks for your patience.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: I think you should carry better chocolate. Your selection is weak. There are so many good and diverse chocolates out there.
- N.
A: Excluding conventional candy bars, we have 127 different chocolate bars from 18 different companies. If you’ll let us know what else you’d like, we can try to get it in.
- Julie Cross, Classes & Food Demonstrations
Q: I am no longer buying as many greens–bottom shelf & top shelf stuff because it is too hard to see the choice available & when I reach in behind to get what is there, I damage the greens.
- M.R.
A: We apologize that you find selecting your produce difficult. We have lowered the top shelves as much as possible and have organized the case to prolong the shelf life of the items on display. Every morning we sort and stock fresh produce so there is no need to take items from behind, as they are all fresh and of the same quality. Thank you for taking the time to voice your opinion.
- Bija Young, Assistant Produce Manager
Q: You would do a great service to your customers who are trying to avoid dairy products by clearly indicating that Soy-Station Cheese Alternativeand other dairy alternatives actually contain casein, which is milk protein. Thank you.
- A.
A: We have labeled these products as containing casein, a milk protein.
We recommend to anyone with dietary restrictions that they carefully read product labels. There are so many different kinds of food sensitivities, allergies, alternative diets and products that we are unable to do all of the point-of-sale labels that we might like to do.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Most canned food is now packed in cans made with Bisphenol A (BPA). We’ve pretty much stopped buying canned food here because we don’t know which brands, if any, do not use BPA cans. Trader Joe’s is the only safe store we know for BPA.
- J.B.
A: Nearly all can liners contain BPA, according to the director of government relations at the Can Manufacturers Institute. BPA is a controversial chemical that can leak out of the can linings into food. According to its critics, BPA mimics naturally occurring estrogen, and may cause a wide variety of health problems.
We’re well aware of the controversy around BPA. If we could find a source of BPA-free canned goods we’d get it to you in a second. Lacking BPA-free cans and given our limited resources we have opted to encourage people to eat fresh unprocessed foods through cooking classes, school outreach, and member education.
Perhaps we would all profit from following Michael Pollan’s advice. Don't eat anything your great-great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food. — Michael Pollan, Unhappy Meals, New York Times Magazine, 1/28/07.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Please return the hanging scale to the vegetable/fruit department. It’s an unsurpassed tool for price savvy shoppers. Much appreciation!
- I.S.
A: The scales were taken down temporarily but another scale now in place. Sorry for the inconvenience.
- Bija Young, Assistant Produce Manager
Q: It isn’t necessary to highlight the boxed salad greens especially since, I believe the company producing it is the one that had the E. coli problem. The other day (Saturday, I believe) I saw it prominently displayed on low shelves and spaciously arranged, while the fresh unpackaged produce is crowded on high shelves making it very difficult for customers to examine.
- M.H.
A: In 2006 two companies, Natural Selection Foods LLC and River Ranch Fresh Foods, recalled spinach and spinach-containing products because of contamination by E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly bacterium. Eventually 199 people in 28 states were infected, resulting in 141 hospitalizations, and three deaths. Natural Selection LLC packs under more than twenty-five different brands including Earthbound Farm, O Organic, and Trader Joe's. None of the Earthbound Farms products were found to be contaminated.
We have carried packaged spinach and lettuce mixes for a number of years, and prior to the remodel we frequently received requests for more packaged greens. In the months that we’ve carried many more Earthbound Farms mixes they have sold briskly. For years we’ve made a commitment to be a full-line grocery that meets the needs of a diverse membership. Clearly these products are popular with many of our members.
The fresh greens and salad mixes grown by the local, organic farmers we’ve known for years are given what we feel is the more prominent display area—right in the center of the produce department. I’m sorry that your produce shopping experience wasn’t fully satisfactory.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: I am very unhappy with the produce display. I want the vegetables to be graciously displayed–not cramped into a space that is deep and hard to get. I know that lettuce is purposely placed to show the root end, but I prefer to see the leaves. Also a couple of times lettuce that I’ve selected is crushed resulting in some loss of leaves.
We do not need so many (!) cheeses displayed nor do I think we need so much wine. The olive bar shouldn’t be there–leave these items to Nugget & Valley Wines. We should concentrate on bulk and local vegetables and produce.
I am always pleases with the vegan/vegetarian “meat” and “dairy” options.
–M.E.
A: I’m really sorry that our new displays are aesthetically displeasing to you. Our previous produce cases were old, difficult to keep clean, and undersides were almost rusted out–they needed to be replaced. Nearly all contemporary produce cases feature a vertical look because it is more space and energy efficient and kinder to the vegetables. We’ve noticed the amount of produce that we cull out of the new displays is much less than what we used to lose from the old displays. I promise you we will continue striving to improve the way we use the new cases.
The expanded cheese area is quite popular with customers; our sales have increased by forty percent. Wine sales are also quite strong and customers have been consistently asking for more olives. We are committed to providing a good selection of the products that members want, and they are buying wine cheese and olives. I’m happy that we can at least provide dairy and meat alternatives that meet your needs.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: I’m very well pleased overall, however please separate the organic and conventional produce. It’s confusing and sometimes I grab the wrong ones & get conventional when I want organic.
Love the info about which conventional products are low pesticide.
- Anonymous
A: I’m glad the information about the relative amounts of pesticide residues in produce was useful to you. Although the organic and conventional items are currently displayed separately as is required by the organic foods production act, it’s not always easy to see the division. Thanks for pointing out the problem. We ordered custom-made plastic dividers several months ago. I’ll check with our maintenance crew to find out why the dividers haven’t been installed yet.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: It is really difficult to shop in the produce dept. now. Barely enough room for 2 carts to pass, but then the constant restocking carts make the experience nearly impossible. Maybe as customers figure out where the vegetables are, we can more efficiently move, but now it’s ghastly!
- K.L.
Q: I dread shopping in the newly arranged produce section because the traffic flow is so poor. Any time there are more than a couple customers and /or employees stocking in the area, I spend more time trying to maneuver my body and cart around others than paying attention to what I want to buy. Could you have a professional (not the firm that designed the area) study the actual traffic flow with real people and see what they come up with?
- Anonymous
A: Thanks for taking the time to let us know how we can improve. I will make sure that the produce workers are much more observant about how and where they use their carts. I apologize that you were inconvenienced.
Do you have a professional grocery store traffic flow analyst in mind? I would love to consult with Paco Underhill author of Why We Buy: The Science Of Shopping, but I’m afraid he is far out of our price range.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Great progress. I suggest 2 or 3 small tables with chairs near deli area where shoppers could sit & sip a coffee/chat (as at NUGGET) t’would be very nice in chilly weather.
- N.S.
A: I’m thrilled that you like the changes we’ve made so far. I agree it would be wonderful if we had more indoor seating. I’m not sure if we are going to have room close to the Deli. In the next phase of the remodel we’ll be adding a juice and coffee bar and installing a salad & a hot-food-to-go bar. Tables might make the traffic in that area just too daunting for customers.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The vegetables are too cramped, high, crowded, low, and tight between rows.
- Anonymous
A: I’m so sorry that you were inconvenienced. We are still learning how to make our new look both space-efficient and customer-friendly. Do you have specific suggestions for improvements? Thanks.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The more it looks like Whole Foods the more it is deceptive. High cost of lighting electricity costs must rise with the overdone “melodramatic” lighting Showcase? Show buzz? Too bad the “image” was on Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s! Look at Rainbow Grocery/Cooperative Store in S.F. for the difference!
- R.M.
A: Rainbow Grocery is an amazing store; it’s vibrant, chock-full of interesting products and a really fun place to shop. It’s a worker-owned collective with a long and rich history. I’d urge anyone that has an opportunity to check it out. Rainbow is located in San Francisco’s Mission District at 1745 Folsom Street right under the central freeway.
The same ideas look different in different spaces we are using the same designer that did the last remodel at Rainbow. I’m sorry that the lighting in the store is making you uncomfortable. Lighting preferences are very subjective; it’s difficult to find a light level or style that suits everyone. Our old lights were the most we could purchase efficient 15 years ago; we’ve been assured the new lights are even more efficient.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: I’m sorry to see so much good space go to boutique-like paraphernalia. The hope was for wisely-utilized room. Sad.
- Anonymous
A: I’m sorry the new items and recent changes in our store don’t appeal to you. In a recent survey, many of our shoppers told us what they liked about other local stores. We listened and have tried to include many of the items and services they asked for in our remodel plan. Our sales have increased, so we know by one measure we’ve succeeded. Of course we can always do better, what would you like to see in the store?
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: At the Santa Cruz Co-op they have very small amounts of cheese for sale—I think they’re ends or something. They cost less because it’s a smaller bit = more affordable for students who still love cheese.
Also at the S.C. Co-op—a box at each register to recycle receipts. Very handy. And a program of giving 5¢ tickets instead of 5¢ bag credit for bringing a bag. They have several non-profit orgs. that participate in the program. You get a ticket for each bag you bring in. You put your tickets in baskets for whatever org. you want to donate 5¢ to. Easy money for the non-profits, however, more admin. Work for the Co-op but very cool.
- R. O’D
A: I’m thrilled that you loved your old co-op and have taken the time to tell us about what made it special. Was it the Kresge Food Co-op at UC Santa Cruz?
Our experienced cheese cutters are quite successful at cutting a variety of sized pieces while avoiding any waste–no cheese bits here. We strive to keep our prices as affordable as possible while keeping our business strong and healthy for our members.
Unfortunately the thermal printers at our registers only use non-recyclable tape. These save a lot of money and time because they break down far less often than impact printers.
During a year we donate thousands of dollars to over a hundred different non-profit organizations. We really don’t have the labor to track tickets, or space at the registers to collect them. Perhaps you could save your receipts for a year–they show the bag credit–and make a donation to your favorite organization.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Where is the Plum pudding for the holidays?
- C.
A: Here’s the recipe for Plum Pudding from my grandmother’s 1953 edition of The New Joy of Cooking. I’ve made it several times and it came much better than any store bought version I’ve eaten.
Plum Pudding
24 Servings
Sift:
1 cup all-purpose flour
Prepare and dredge lightly with part of the flour:
1 lb. chopped suet: 2 cups
1 lb. seeded raisins
1 lb. washed currants
½ lb. chopped citron
Resift the remaining flour with:
1 grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon mace
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons sugar or
½ cup brown sugar
Combine the dredged and the sifted ingredients. Add:
7 egg yolks
½ cup brandy or sherry
3 cups grated bread crumbs
Place on a platter and whip until stiff:
7 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
Fold them lightly into the raisin mixture. Pour the batter into a greased pudding mold Cover it closely. Steam the pudding for 6 hours, see Rule for Steaming Puddings. Serve it with Hot Sherry, Rum, or Wine Sauce.
Rule for Stead Puddings
Steam the pudding mixture in a pudding mold, or in tin cans with tightly fitting lids. Grease the molds well, and then sprinkle them with sugar. Fill them only 2/3 full. Place the mold on a trivet in a steamer over 1 inch of water. Cover the steamer or Kettle closely. Use high heat at first, then as the steam begins to escape use low heat for the rest of the cooking.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: A subject = incomprehensible price tag
The Sappo Hill Sandlewood price tag says “$.04 per oz, 3.5 oz" with a total price of $1.79.
It seems that the “oz” should read “grams”—then the price should be $.64 Here’s the disturbing problem. No one, or most customers DO NOT mentally fathom grams-in-a-pound. They only comprehend, understand, mentally, estimate, the 16-ounces-in-a-pound weight concept. You are perceived as being deceptive, conning, deceptive, deceiving!! You know what’s happening here. Customers are aware of this and it is a “down”…a “negative.”
- Anonymous
A: You are so right the unit price on that tag and on many of our other tags are incomprehensible—they’re just plain wrong. Our label making software is ancient, from the mid-nineties. Rachel Quinn, our Scan Coordinator, does a valiant job coaxing the cranky software into action. She makes sure that all 40,000 things we sell have tags and that we sell those products to you at the price on the tag. It’s a big job and she works diligently. The last thing in the world any of us want is to deceive you. We are all looking forward to the day when we retire the old software.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Dear Co-Op management and board, Along with this VERY EXPENSIVE remodel, why not consider spending $100 to purchase two new Public Access Terminals? Or, even less for good used ones at the Bargain Barn?
- A long time full share member
A: I’m sorry you found the Davis Community Network’s public access computers inadequate. Since 1994 we’ve been one site in DCN’s free Internet access program. DCN uses refurbished, used computers to provide this extremely popular service to the Davis community. If you are interested upgrading our site please contact DCN or talk to Doug Walter our DCN liaison within the store.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Although you already carry another supposedly 100% pomegranate juice “and other natural flavors.” Pom juice is 100% pure juice. The other brand has a funny color and settling at the bottom. Thank you.
- D.W.
A: I’m sorry that you missed the seven kinds of Pom, including 100% pomegranate, that we carry in the grab and go refrigerators by the South entrance. Pom makes delicious products but they must be kept refrigerated–were you perhaps looking on the non-refrigerated shelves?
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: You need to more completely label aisles, e.g. canned fruit. PLEASE (Help!)
- N.S.
A: I apologize that you weren’t easily able to find the canned fruit. When we remodel the dry grocery section of the store we will be ordering new directional signs, & we will keep the canned fruit in mind. Until then please just ask any worker with a green apron to guide you to anything you are having trouble finding.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Can the Co-op supply the coupons for Earth’s Best baby food at the aisle like Safeway?
- O.M.
A: Mark VanderWerf, our grocery manager, is asking our Hain Celestial representative if they will supply us with coupons. I hope they will offer our single store the same incentives that they offer chain stores.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Please carry boxed or canned onion soup. Pacific has it, I think. I’ve seen it at Whole Foods in another state & it makes a great soup base. All the oniony soup products you have now have MSG.
- K.V.H.
A: Thanks for the suggestion. Mark Vander Werf, our grocery manager, will bring it in. Look for it aisle 6 with the other soups.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Request that we carry pickled herring.
- L.N.
A: I’m so sorry that we lost the Lascco Pickled Herring after the big power outage. Bruce Johnson, our deli/meat manager will make sure that it returns to the refrigerated grab and go case in the front of the store.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Could you please sell quart size mason jars individually. Thank you.
- Anonymous
A: Unfortunately, mason jars only come in packages of twelve. The extra handling involved in breaking up those packages makes selling individual jars prohibitive.
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: Please get Mochi Ball Ice Cream.
- B.
A: We re looking for a source, but we haven’t found one yet. Where do you usually buy it? We did find a great instruction on how to make it yourself http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Mochi-Ice-Cream
- Beth Tausczik, Store Manager
Q: The per-unit prices shown on the shelf labels are often wildly wrong. For instance, yesterday, 10 ounces of Stahlbush frozen corn was priced at $2.25. The per unit price was therefore listed correctly as 22¢ per ounce. However, the unit price for 10 ounces of SnoPac corn ($2.65 a bag) was listed on the shelf label as 2¢ per ounce. There are numerous examples of such discrepancies throughout the store. Comparison pricing is essential to those of us on a budget. What is the difficulty here?
- Anonymous
A: Our apologies for the incorrect unit pricing. It’s a problem we’re experiencing with our label software, and we’re currently working to resolve the issue.
- Rachel Quinn, Scan & Technology Coordinator
Q: Our Maranatha Natural Creamy & Raw Almond Butter is about $3 to $4 a jar cheaper at Nugget.
- Anonymous
A: Thanks for letting us know. We will check our price.
- Mark Vander Werf, Grocery/Bulk Manager
Q: I am sick of having to go to Nugget for my organic yellow onions.
- Anonymous
A: We’ve increased our order to 250 lbs every 2 days to accommodate the demand. I’m sorry we disappointed you.
- Julie Cross, Classes & Food Demonstrations
IN BRIEF
Yes, we do have
• Small size coffee cups at the Deli counter
• Celestial Seasonings Peppermint Tea (Aisle 4)
• Sport Tea (Aisle 4)
• Banner Mountain Sprouts (in cooler)
These are coming soon
• Black eyed peas in bulk
• Soken Ramen
We’re trying to get:
• Whole Wheat Lasagna Noodles
Thanks for the suggestion. We’ll look into:
• Black decaf bulk tea
• Pomegranate Lemonade flavor Juice Squeeze
• Local supplier of organic jam
• Organic and/or local relish
• Large jars of Maille Dijon Original Mustard
Not available to us:
• Adina Gin Jah
• Four Peaks Kiltlifter Beer