Matt
Organic Red Beets
It’s a well-known fact in the food world that beets are delicious, but some of you still choose not to eat them. Come on…..they’re good for you. No? If you’re a card-carrying beet hater, please try the beet/tahini/goat cheese axis. I’ve actually converted several stubborn anti-beet types into shameless beet lovers by adding some nice goat cheese and a savory lemon tahini dressing to the roasted red roots they refuse to touch, usually with some quinoa or in a wrap. You’d be amazed at how they sniff skeptically and try a bite, then thank me and apologize for being so pigheaded.
Philip
Atoms to Apples Liberty Apples
Sounds like an heirloom variety, but they’re actually a modern American apple variety developed specifically for disease resistance. Makes beautiful pink applesauce because of the skin and flesh color if you include the skin.
Cate
Rancho Gordo Yellow Eye Beans
OMG! On the packaging it says that these beans are “A HAMHOCK’S BEST FRIEND!” I wouldn’t know but what I DO KNOW is that I cooked them with garlic using a bit of olive oil and covered with water, and they were super, fantastic, so yummy, good! The end result was so flavorful! They are kinda sweet, kinda savory, kinda earthy. They held their texture very well, swelling to a nice bite-size. Plus they are aesthetically pleasing with a nice two-tone color. Additionally, the Rancho Gordo company is creating a market for all sorts of heirloom beans and the farmers that have a long tradition of growing them. I gotta lotta love for these beans!
Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Organic Virgin Olive Oil
I love the exceptional aroma and slightly spicy flavor of this olive oil. It is fairly traded, organic, cold-pressed and produced by small-scale farming cooperatives in the West Bank. I highly recommend this as your staple olive oil.
Kadota Figs
These figs are a real treat and seasonal favorite of mine. I love the sweet yet earthy flavor. The texture is soft but the seeds give it a little crunch. As the season progresses they become sweeter and sweeter. They are absolutely delicious.
Leah
Willy Street Co-op Hot Toddy Concentrate
Boost your immune system with this great drink made right in-store! Delicious with hot water added per the directions, or you know, throw in some brandy or whiskey like your parents used to do!
Emily
Cedar Teeth Large Marge
On this very night, ten years ago, along this same stretch of road in a dense fog just like this, I ate the best frozen pizza ever, it was the Large Marge by Cedar Teeth! Seriously, the crust is so good.
Blue Mont Dairy Cave-Aged Bandaged Cheddar
This local cheese is so delicious! It is full of complex, aged cheesy flavors. It is my kid’s all time favorite cheese.
Dan
Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve
Pleasant Ridge Reserve is a grass-fed, farmstead, Alpine-style cheese—think Gruyere. It’s also the only cheese to ever win Best in Show at the ACS competition three times. It’s the perfect fall cheese—it goes great with squash, apples, and cider. To top it off, it’s made by some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Emma
Willy Street Co-op Nitrate-Free Beef Strips
I get kinda jerky when I’m hungry. These beef strips really do the trick. Made from grass-fed pastured raised local cows! The conscious carnivore dream! Perfect snack or addition to your lunch spread.
James
Epic Bars Bison & Bacon Bars
These meat bars are really one of a kind when it comes to flavor, texture, and price! I opt for them over traditional jerky almost always. They have a good amount of chew to them but with the benefit of not getting stuck in your teeth as much as thin, dry jerky. I find that they are a great addition to camping and hiking trips, and anytime you just need something quick while on the go!
Amanda
Willy Street Co-op Bone Broth
We now carry beef, turkey, chicken and pork broth. This is such a fresh, clean broth. Why make it at home when our Meat department makes it for you? All meat bones, except the chicken are locally sourced. But since we make it all in-house, we consider them all locally prepared. Flavors may vary by store.
Ellie
Annie’s Sesame Shiitake Vinaigrette
This dressing is delicious and so versatile. You can use it on more than just salads; it’s great on rice, roasted veggies, stir fry, or anything that needs some extra “umami” flavor!
Benjamin
Wonderstate Summer Solstice Coffee
All of the Wonderstate coffee’s are amazing! This bright and fruity blend is my personal favorite. I respect the decision to rebrand and I love the new name and packaging. It looks and tastes so good that I like giving their coffee as a gift to friends.
Kjerstin
Amy’s Cheddar Cheese Burrito
De-li-cious. All Amy’s burritos are really good (I also love the Southwestern and the Black Bean+Veg), but I eat one of these for breakfast pretty much every day. It is a fantastically yummy bundle of bean-y, cheese-y, burrito-y goodness. And it’s a satisfying meal that gives you sustained energy. Also, Amy’s is one of the few major brands that hasn’t yet been bought up by a horrifying corporation—they are still independently owned!
Shelley
Deep Indian Kitchen Naan Pizza Margherita
The crust is crispy and a little fluffy. Perfect size for one person or an appetizer. It is a must-have for my freezer for an emergency snack.
Dustin
Delish Fish
If you enjoy other fish-shaped red candies then you’ll love these! Made with real ingredients and just as tasty!
Caitlyn
Origin Breads Sourdough Sandwich Loaf
Any loaf from Origin Breads is amazing. The sourdough is made with wild yeast, they source their grains from Meadowlark Organics in Ridgeway, Wi and Lonesome Stone Milling in Lone Rock, Wi grinds the flour using an old-world stone-milling technique. Then it is hand-formed and baked just down the street from Willy East on East Washington Ave. I pinky promise you will love this bread.
Michaiah
Driftless Organics Sunflower Oil
Olive oil of the Midwest! I’m grateful to have the opportunity to support small and local business as well as ethical and sustainable practices, making my act of consumption a vote for a world in more harmony. Fewer imports, fewer fuels to pollute, more ground for a vibrant community of people, animal, plant, and the like.
Danielle
Equal Exchange Coconut Milk Chocolate Bar
Once you try this chocolate bar, it may very well become your new favorite!!! I won’t lie, when the Equal Exchange representatives talked it up to me I was a little apprehensive… But they were right—it’s AMAZING. I’m not a huge fan of coconut or milk chocolate in general, but this bar is my new go-to! Not only is it Fair Trade, but it’s a dairy alternative made with coconut milk and sugar. It’s SO creamy and smooth, it basically disintegrates in your mouth. I highly recommend this new bar to everyone looking for a nice milk chocolate.
Amy
Omena or Farmer’s Market Canned Organic Pumpkin Puree
Not just for pies. Pancakes, enchiladas, chili, dips, oatmeal, pumpkin butter, sauce for pasta, breakfast egg custard, SO much more and so easy! It’s. A. Vegetable. Winning!
Jon
Van Der Hagen Traditional Safety Razor
This is the last razor you’ll ever buy. Get rid of the plastic and enjoy the heft of stainless steel. I bought one of these 20 ago and it’s still going strong. Replacement razor blades cost a fraction of modern multi-blade plastic razor heads. Welcome to sustainable shaving!
Abigail
Sunbeam Candles Wise Owl
This candle is so cute and spooky! It’s made from 100% pure beeswax and the company that makes it, SunBeam Candles, is a solar energy-run company. This candle burns super cool and adds a great ambiance to any room. Highly recommended for anytime of the year!
Kelly
Natural Vitality Calm Gummies
They work, and my kids love them. Great digestion aid as well as calming.
Nordic Naturals Vitamin C Gummies
These gummies are tasty and offer a nice amount of daily vitamin C. I have had a hard time getting my children to drink vitamin C, so these are nice when we are not getting it from our food each day.
Joe
Enviro Products Premium Shower Filter
I noticed the difference right away when I put one of these on my shower—no more chlorine smell! The replaceable filter lasts so long I keep forgetting to replace it.
