An affair of the cart … Willy Street Co-op

February 6th, 2008

I’m in love with … my grocer. Sounds scandalous, but really it’s among the best relationships I’ve had. For a delivery fee, my grocer will shop for me from my very specific list, call with questions, pack it up and deliver it to my door per my instructions.

Something that makes your life this much easier sounds almost too good to be true. But, true it is and, thus, Willy Street Co-Op’s delivery service has stolen my heart. It’s saved me from torturous grocery shopping trips with the kids and made my life a little more stress-free.

Here’s how it works. Check out Willy Street Co-op’s web site. Become a member (see site for membership details and options — you’ll need to stop by the co-op at 1221 Williamson Street to officially sign up). Then, register for on-line shopping and fill your virtual cart. Delivery fees depend on where you live in Madison, but generally are up to $10. Delivery days also vary by region. And, if those don’t work for you, you can always pick up your order at the co-op — packed and ready to go — for a mere $3.

This was my experience: I placed my order at 9:30 one Tuesday morning and by mid-afternoon, vóila, my groceries were delivered. My order ran the gamut from bulk items (like flours, and baking supplies and dried fruits and nuts) to frozen foods, fresh organic produce to and heatlh and beauty products — from face and shaving lotions to deoderants and vitamins. The delivery staff even called me a few times to clarify: They didn’t have a one-pound turkey breast as I’d ordered; the smallest was 6 pounds … did I want that whole bird? Or, how ’bout a small roasting chicken instead? Perfect. Thanks for checking.

The fact that you can give special instructions on the order — where to leave it, where to reach you, etc. — is a major bonus, as is the fact that you can choose how you’d like your bulk items packed (in plastic bags or bottles, or you can purchase other packaging if you prefer). And, if you’re not in the know, the co-op is about the best place in town to find organics, satisfy special dietary needs and philosophies (gluten-free, wheat-free, vegan) and purchase locally grown and produced foods and products. Its got a great deli and bakery, too. (We always order our birthday cakes there. Can’t beat the banana cake: moist and delicious; thick cream-cheese frosting; feeds a crowd; only $20.)

Really, this service is a sanity-saver. We’ll be ordering weekly, especially as it’s a great way to help track and control the grocery budget. Usually, when it comes to keeping tabs on my spending in any grocery store, well, forget about it. By the end of a trip with the kids, I’m just throwing things in the cart, or dashing for the door with only half my order. The co-op lists all weekly and monthly specials, and I find looking at the list online and adding/deleting items to my cart that way infinitely easier than returning to aisle 1 to reshelve a product while my 1-year-old protests.

For more details check out the co-op’s site or call (608) 251-6776. This is definitely one retail affair worth having!

Mama Kate

Entry Filed under: food item,health,service,shopping