Q&A

Suggestion Box Q Q &

A A

Q: Glad Peanut Butter & Co. comes with no sugar! Why do you buy others with plastic jars? A: Glass jars are typically more expensive than plastic. We offer a wide range of varieties for our diverse shopping community.

Q: The guide to recycle/compost/trash in dining area needs updating, especially since reusable utensils are gone. Will they return ever? A: We agree that it needs updating. We’ll get on that as soon as we can. We have no plans to bring back the reusable utensils. Feel free to bring your own. [ed. note: HWFC does supply compostable cutlery in the dining area.]

Q: Why do you sell organic Imagine roasted turkey flavored gravy with cane sugar, turkey skins, and caramel coloring? A: The organic cane sugar, organic turkey skins, and organic caramel coloring are approved ingredients in our Food and Product Manual.

Q: Mother Earth Store (organic store in Kingston, NY) sells Wild Rice Sticks in [its] bulk section. These sticks are wonderful and salty! A: That’s a good tip! We’ll look into those. Thanks!

Q: Distilled water dispenser. White vinegar dispenser. A: We have no plans for a distilled water dispenser. We do provide a dispenser for white vinegar in our Bulk Dept. Our reverse osmosis dispenser is the closest we have to distilled.

Q: Jean’s Greens Mandala Centering Tea… It’s THE BEST!! ♥ A: Thanks for bringing that flavor to our attention. We’ll look into bringing it in. Q: Self-serve cleaning station for table surfaces. I’d suggest just white vinegar and water and lemon labeled in a spray bottle. Not everyone will use—but it will be available for those who do. Inexpensive, easy way to reduce viral loads.☺ A: We strive to keep the café clean. Please notify our customer service desk when the tables need attention in addition to our regularly scheduled cleaning. [art?]

Q: Please carry Blue Buffalo cat food. XOXO ☺ A: We carry a few flavors of the Blue Buff. “Tastefuls” canned cat food. We also have Blue Wilderness chicken flavored kitten food in cans and their senior dog “Freedom” variety in cans. Please let us know if there is a specific variety that you would like us to carry.

Q: Please carry Taste of the Wild pet food! A: We could potentially get Taste of the Wild pet food for you. It has a very large selection, many of which are out of stock. Could you please specify what type of animal, size of package, and flavor that you wish to purchase?

Q: Love, love the hot bar! Hate, hate that if a meat dish runs out, [it] takes too long to replenish, 5–10 minutes, half hour. They don’t consistently monitor when dishes are empty, especially the meat protein dishes. This happens too often. I saw 6 people wait + then give up. Co-op is losing $$. We all don’t have enough time to wait that long. A: We’re glad that you love our hot bar. Please be aware that we continue to face staffing shortage and strive to replenish the hot bar as quickly as possible.

Q: Please consider a different source for your organic Honey Crisp apples. They often seem old and Whole Foods [apples] are way better. A: Our organic Honey Crisp are from the same harvest and state (WA) as WF. May we suggest that you try the local Honey Crisp apples from Knight Orchards?

Q: Great burgers by the kitchen. A: Thanks! We’re glad that you like them.

Q: Ashanti at the front desk. He is sweet, courteous, professional, and always pleasant! Such an asset to H.W.! A: Thanks, we agree! Ashanti is definitely one of our valuable team members.

Q. Your deli is amazing! Thank you! They do seem a bit understaffed at 5pm—but they are really kind + make the best sandwiches. A. Thanks so much for your patience. We’re trying our best despite staff shortages. We appreciate the good energy!

Q. Once Again Peanut Butter 16 oz. jars “No Stir”: Palm kernel oil—is deprecated due to deforestation, orangutan habitat, etc. A. Once Again uses RSPO-certified palm fruit oil that is organically sourced. The mission is to transform the palm oil market into an environmentally and socially sustainable enterprise. Please see www. rspo.org.

Q. Matcha please. ☺ A. We have no plans to add matcha to our café selections. We have matcha available in our bulk tea section.

Q. Angelic Bake House sprouted breads from Cudahy WI makes both low sodium & no salt added—greatly missed since the demise of Vermont Breads. A. We can order Angelic’s sprouted low sodium and no salt for you. Please speak with a grocery worker for assistance. Update: No-sodium Angelic Bake House bread is now available in our freezer section; low sodium wraps are on the lower bread shelf.

Q. Suggestion Box doesn’t always answer the question! A. Please rest assured that all questions are seen. We hear your suggestions and will continue to address them to the best of our ability and within the guidelines of our triple bottom line: people, planet, profit.

Q&A responses come from a variety of personnel. Honest Slate makes every effort to clarify each answer.