by Anya Firszt, General Manager
HELLO DEAR OWNERS
Welcome November—the start of the 2022 holiday season or, as I like to say, the Holidaze—those wild and crazy days between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. November is also the month that brings a cold bite to the air—the reminder that winter is upon us whether we like it or not.
Food selection also changes with the season and brings to my kitchen more warm and savory cooking with squashes, Brussels sprouts, stews, and of course delectable treats as well with cranberries, pomegranates, pears, and glorious citrus! I confess this is my favorite season and I look forward to this time of year with great joy and anticipation. I enjoy nothing more than looking through my recipe collection, making my shopping list, putting on my apron, pushing up my sleeves, and getting to cooking! But, more than that, I love sharing these tasty treats and dishes with friends and family.
HOLIDAY FAVORITES
And, with that, here is my annual reminder to you that you can find everything you need at the Co-op to prepare your family holiday favorites for your festive feast and gift giving. The Bulk department is stocked with a wide selection of nuts, dried fruits, grains, flours, herbs and spices, sweeteners and honey, and oils for your cooking needs and shopping list. We’ll have pies—whole and half—if pie baking is not your cup of tea. Turkey can be had, or if you’re jonesin’ for not-turkey options, we’ll have that too.
OPERATIONAL UPDATES
If you have not been to Willy East recently, there have been a few fairly significant changes on the retail floor. The Juice and Coffee Bar counter is no more and the space is being used for expanded packaged grocery. Bottled juice can be found in the beverage case at the end of the produce run of cases, and coffee is located at the back of the store opposite the Salad Bar. Check it out!
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) UPDATE
As I reported last month, we are continuing the work of our three DEI workgroups focused on initiatives to advance DEI with our employees, customers, and vendor partners. If you are interested in seeing how we are tracking progress on our goals, we plan to launch our DEI Dashboard mid-month. This is a baseline report that will be updated quarterly and can be found on our DEI webpage (willystreet.coop/DEI).
BOARD ELECTIONS
At the Special Member Meeting held on October 26, the results of the 2022 Board election were announced. I would like to thank those Owners who decided to run for the Board and congratulate those who were elected. The results of the election can be found on page 4.
FY2022 ANNUAL REPORT
You can expect to receive our last fiscal year’s Annual Report in your mailbox or inbox in the coming month. FY22 was a good year; we earned income, and we were able to profit share with our employees, and we will be distributing patronage to Owners! Stay tuned for more detailed information in the next issue of the Reader.
DON’T FORGET: WIL-MAR NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER PIES!
The Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center Thanksgiving Pie sale is going on now! Louisiana Sweet Potato, Pecan, and Sour Cream Apple pies can only be ordered by calling 608-257-4576.
DATES TO THINK ABOUT THIS MONTH AND NEXT
• November 8: ELECTION DAY
• November 24, Thanksgiving Day: stores are open until 2:30pm
• December 24: stores open until 6:00pm
• December 25: CLOSED
• December 31, New Year’s Eve: Regular hours
• January 1, 2023, New Year’s Day: CLOSED
• January 2, 2023: stores open at 10:00am.
May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with delicious food.