Comment: Please provide separate utensils for Bulk products that have allergens in them like the peanut pretzels. I would hate to unknowingly use something with peanut on it if I were allergic to peanuts while bagging something supposed to be free of peanuts! Especially since the coop is a place where people can buy safe food hard to find elsewhere for special Diets! -Margaret

Response: That is a good suggestion but unfortunately its unenforceable. If the utensils were marked there is a strong chance they will be used in undesignated ways. There is no way for us to control that usage and it’s cost-prohibitive to monitor at all times. People with severe allergies should buy bagged foods that they know are safe. -Seth, Bulk Buyer

Comment: I love how Moscow Food Co-op has only organic foods not greasy foods. I give this place 5 stars! -Mike

Comment: Thanks to Joan for her very diplomatic but hopefully effective article on not tying your dog up outside the store. Having to be on one’s guard when entering the store is not a pleasant way to begin what otherwise is a pleasant and enjoyable experience. -Barbara

Comment: In the July “Community News” one of the staff contributors was responding to either verbal or written complaints about dogs being tethered near the front of the Co-op. The bottom-line decision was “leave your dogs at home” and that dogs should not be brought to the Co-op and left by themselves outside.

I understand the concerns people may have about unknown dogs being left in fromt of the Co-op. However, I am one of the people who routinely walks with my dog to the Co-op to shop. My usual scenario is to ride my bike home from work, grab the dog, and go shopping. Our dog nees to get our and around, so I get to shop and the doge gets his exercise.

It is obvious that I am not alone in choosing to combine a good walk for our dog with some shopping. I think a total ban on dogs is counterproductive to the goals of having people shop at the Co-op without driving. I would ask the staff and management to look for another solution to the issue. The Co-op used to be a dog-friendly place, with a bowl of water often left out front for pets to use during the hot summer months. Would it be possible to allow dogs to be tethered somewhere else on the property? Under the front overhang is ideal to get the animals out of the weather (be it hot sun, rain, or snow) but a designated area away from the front would be workable.

Please consider another solution other tan banning dogs from the store area and inform the members and public of your decision. Even if you decide to ban dogs from the Co-op premises, signage would be appropriate to let people who have come to expect to tether their dogs out front know of the new guidelines.
Thank you for your consideration. -Paul.

Response: From my article:
“If your animal is tethered outside the Co-op doors and we deem it an impediment to shoppers we will page you and ask you to move your animal. We don’t want to impound your pet so please be considerate and either leave your dog at home or tether it elsewhere in consideration of our customers.”

This article asks folks to use their judgment and keep their dogs away from the entrance where they may intimidate customers. There are several areas outside the store that will work for leaving your dog while you shop. We intentionally did not designate a specific area as the usage of outdoor space changes throughout the day. We are not banning dogs, but asking that customers be considerate of others when choosing where they leave their pet.  Thanks -Joan, Interim General Manager Team Member

Comment: Joseph was so helpful to us today. Aubrey is always very helpful and so is Charlie and Seth. Thank you very much.- Camela

Response: Thank you for acknowledging our wonderful staff. We agree with you: they are amazing. -Joan

Comment: I wasn’t able to find any locally made (or even regionally made) tortilla chips! I know there’s a company from Hood River OR and one from Spokane, so it is possible. I think it would be a great addition to the lineup. -Peter

Response: We agree. Please let us know the names of the companies and we will investigate. -Alex, Grocery Buyer

Comment: Is it possible to start carrying Organic tradition products. They are a wonderful company and have great products.

Response: I wanted to contact you and ask what types of products this company carries. Our distributor does not have this line. When I looked online there were multiple companies with a wide selection of products. We will need more information before we can evaluate this line. -Alex

Comment: Thank you for being nice, friendly and helpful. I always have fun when I shop and eat at the Co-op. Service beyond service. Also, one of your workers, Erin, helped me to charge up my car battery. Thank you. -Sri

Response: Thank you in return for the kind words. -Joan