-
Mount Fishtail Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc: I tried this wine when I needed to go to a dinner party and did not want to keep bringing the same wine every time. This white wine is a reasonable price and has a light, crisp flavor filled with hints of passion fruit, elderflower, gooseberry, and fresh mint. If you like it as much as I do, buy six of them at once and stock up to save 10% on your wine purchase. Plus, you get one of our durable wine bags for free!! Keep Calm and Wine On. Cheers! • Kristina
-
B&E’s Trees Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup: Aging this maple syrup in bourbon barrels elevates the flavor to the divine. It’s also notable that the owners, Bree and Eric, created an off-grid farm. • Maria
-
Booda Butter Daily Moisturizer: Booda Butter gets my skin through the long, dry Wisconsin winters. It’s more effective than any other lotion/balm/butter I’ve used on my hands and it smells amazing. The unrefined organic cocoa butter gives it a light, natural chocolate aroma (I think it smells like brownies). I love that it’s vegan, organic, fragrance- and dye-free, and only has five ingredients. • Hahna
-
Chemex Coffee Maker: I love the simplicity of it and that it fits in with many other housewares without the extra counter top clutter. I am also a sucker for plastic-free products! • Jess
-
Chestnuts: They are good for roasting or braising. Seasonal and limited supply. • Paul
-
Nutkrack Carmelized Pecans: First, a warning. These caramelized pecans are seriously addictive. Second, they makes an awesome gift for just about anyone without a nut allergy. Nutkrack goes great on a cheese board, but unless you get more than one you’ll probably finish them before you get your board set up. • Dan
-
Fix Tart Cherry Grenadine: All of their syrups are great and will up your cocktail/mocktail game, but the cherry one is my favorite. Add it to your Old Fashioned; you will thank me. • Amanda
-
Siren Shrub Co. Tart Cherry Sparkling Shrub: As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, I’m always on the look out for an interesting non-alcoholic drink that isn’t soda. Siren Shrub Co’s Sparkling Shrubs are such a nice non-alcoholic drink option for special occasions! The flavor is complex and pleasant not super sweet like sodas or juices. I would compare the taste to kombucha but with more prominent fruit and herb taste. For those who partake, the shrub can be used as a mixer in a cocktail (there are cocktail recipes on their website) but they’re amazing on their own. I also love that Siren Shrub Co. a local and woman-owned business! • Hahna
-
Tony’s Chocolonely Chocolate Bars: I almost always buy one of these yummy chocolate bars for my dad for any gift-giving occasion as they are his favorite. I have to say, he has awesome taste! This are big, chunky bars which is great because they last a *little bit* longer than a typical size bar. With awesome flavors like Dark Milk Pretzel Toffee and Dark Pecan Coconut, these are a guaranteed hit with your friends, family, and loved ones! • Abigail
-
Pacha Froth Bombs: Relax and unwind with a Froth Bomb from Pacha. There are several scents to choose from all of which are crafted with essential oils and ingredients that will leave your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Take some time for yourself, soak your loins, and escape from reality for a little bit. You deserve it!! • Sara
-
SFL Raclette: In many parts of Europe, Raclette is a household name like cheddar, gouda or Swiss is to Americans, but not a lot of people know about it here. A semi-soft, raw-milk, washed-rind alpine cheese with a mild fruity flavor, Raclette is made for melting above all. It’s fantastic heated over baked or boiled potatoes or broccoli, and its classic companion is the cornichon. • Matt
-
Bleu Mont Bandaged Cheddar: Aged at least a year in an underground cave, this cheddar strikes the perfect balance between sweet caramel flavor and toasty nuttiness. The mossy finish from the rind adds another layer of complexity to this classic English style cheddar. Pair it with the fancy IPA of your choice and settle in. • Dan
-
Pomegranates: To me, one of the best winter gifts I can receive is digging into a pomegranate to devour the beautiful, nutritious jewels inside. Full of minerals and vitamins, this is a fruit that will sustain you and bring you a bit of joy during the darkest days of winter! • Laura
-
Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tea: Every year I stock up on Candy Cane Lane and other teas that come out around the holidays. They are all decaffeinated blends of green or black tea and spices and are naturally a little sweet. • Caitlyn
-
Fever Tree Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer: These come in 4-packs and they are just the perfect size for mixers or on their own! • Laura
-
Potter’s Caramelized Onion Crackers: If you’re looking for the perfect cracker for a cheese plate, this is the one! Potter’s Crackers are made with organic and locally sourced whole wheat flour, milk, and butter in Madison, Wisconsin and most of their produce also comes from small, local farms. This flavor goes with so many cheeses, but I recommend it with Dream Farm’s Farmstead Goat Cheese! • Lacey
-
Castelvetrano Olives: My new favorite olive, which is saying a lot, own their spotlight. That bite! No mush, but firm. Light on the salty, they are mild and creamy. Castelvetranos are the highlight of any snack plate (warm with feta and olive oil, omg!) Better in flavor with the pits still in them, but now available here without, they are the perfect olive for Olive-Haters. I dare you to try one. Olive-Hater! • Amy
-
Driftless Provisions Saucisson Sec: This locally made, shelf-stable line of salamis make the perfect addition to any charcuterie board. Slice them on-the-bias about 1/4 inch thick and allow them to come up to room temperature to fully appreciate the funky flavors and unique spice blends of each salami. • Nick
More Staff Picks
Amanda
Tey-Art Alpaca Socks
These are the softest socks! So comfy your feet will thank you. They make great gifts or pamper yourself.
Lotus Foods Rice Ramen Noodles
These noodles are great for making ramen soup at home. It pairs well with the Co-op’s housemade bone broth for a nice flavorful bowl of soup.
Folkmanis Puppets
Who doesn’t love a puppet? It doesn’t matter how old you are, these are the best gifts. We have dogs and wolves and llamas oh my! We have owls and lizards and turtles oh my! I even saw a life cycle of a butterfly. You never know what animal is going to be here.
Emery
Satsuma Mandarins
They taste great, so sweet and juicy. They are easy to peel with just your hands, so they are great for kiddos to eat without extra help. Not to mention they make great healthy snacks and are easy to put in a lunch for school or work.
Caitlyn
Silk Road Bazaar Felt Ornaments
These cute ornaments are hand-felted and hand-stitched by artisans in Nepal. I got the Dolly Parton and Julia Child ornaments to put on my tinsel tree last year. Can’t wait to add to my collection this year! Also make fun gifts.
Vitruvian Farms Shiitake Mushrooms
Looking to add some more umami in your life? These locally grown mushrooms will give savory dishes a rich, meaty and buttery flavor.
Joe
Siete Grain Free Mexican Wedding Cookies
I was excited to see a grain-free version of one of my favorite types of cookies. The blending of almond, tapioca, and other flours with coconut oil and pecan pieces is perfect.
Carley
Willy Street Co-op Carribean Queen Juice
I love our fresh orange juice already, but then with that kick of ginger and extra citrus from the lemon to round out the flavor, it really just makes this juice such a winner. We just recently were able to bring this juice back into a constant rotation again and I am so excited about it. It has been my go-to afternoon treat.
Ben
Ember Foods Samosa 2-Pack with Chutney
This is such a delicious and comforting dish. When you heat them up they smell amazing and taste even better! The combination of cumin, potatoes, and green chiles makes for a satisfying meal.
Abigail
Kalamazoo Candles Obsidian Scented
I’m obsessed with the obsidian-scented candle from Kalamazoo! To be honest, I’m obsessed with most of the scents they offer. Straight from Michigan, these candles are long lasting, 100% soy, and are fragrant—but not sickeningly smelly. They also make great gifts (hint, hint)!
Little Secrets Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Pieces
Wow, wow, wow. My favorite candy we carry. We can’t get past a week without eating at least a whole bag in Health and Wellness at North. Creamy peanut butter encased in candy-coated chocolate that is totally better then the non-Fair Trade-certified options out there.
Shannon
Third Space Happy Place IPA
The old adage is that the easy choice is not always the right one. It might be easy to overlook this flagship IPA in the crowded sea of new and exciting local beers, but it would also be a mistake. It’s a perfectly balanced brew that knocks my socks off each and every time. Whenever I find a can in my hand, I am truly in my happy place.
Nicholas
Willy Street Co-op Hot Bar Queso Dip
I love making my own loaded nachos on Taco Tuesdays and pouring this queso all over the veggies, taco beef, and tortillas chips!
Laura
Santa Cruz Sangria Spritzer
Get your mimosa, minus the alcohol, on for brunch or anytime in need of a celebratory beverage. You can always add vodka for those who want the alcohol!
Angelica
Willy Street Co-op Spicy Collard Greens
I love heating these greens up for lunch with a slab of our Southern Fried Tofu. They are chewy, flavorful, and nutritious and an excellent addition to any fried meal, as the juices are perfect for dipping as well. The spice level is moderate but definitely palatable. It’s making me hungry just talking about them!
Evan
Miyoko’s Cheese Wheels
It’s a great food to bring and share with friends and family. Its got a great flavor and any of the varieties are a hit with my family.
Amy
Clasen’s Frosted Sugar Cookies
I love love love frosted sugar cookies! I pretty much have to have one every time I see one. Some are better than others, of course. These are delicious in a very classic sense…just what you’d expect. I personally don’t care much about the decorations on them, but our local Clasen’s cookies are SO dang cute and certainly at a higher artistic level than most. Who wouldn’t love you if you surprised them with one?! Not me (hint, hint)!
