STORE IS NOW OPEN: 9am – 7pm Every Day
Check out this Member Survey Word Cloud
on handling the shutdown** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Closed on Independence Day, Saturday July 4
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Closed on Labor Day, Monday September 7
** The Co-op will close at 5pm for Inventory on Wednesday September 30 **
Sorry for any inconvenience
*** The Co-op will be OPEN today, Friday 8/7/20 from 12-6pm. ***
*** The Co-op is again CLOSED today 8/6/20 due to a power outage. ***
We may reopen later if the power comes back on. Stay safe!
Holiday Hours – Memorial Day
The Co-op’s Curbside service will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020 – orders will not be filled and there will be no pickups.
Online ordering will be available on our normal schedule – Sunday 6pm through Friday 6pm – and will not be affected by the holiday.
Thanks, and have a fun and safe holiday weekend!
WILLIMANTIC FOOD COOP’S PREORDER REBOOT!
In response to member requests we will be once again taking preorders!
We had stopped doing them after we closed the store to shoppers for a couple of reasons. One reason was that our access to many goods was limited. Do you remember that huge shopping spree that many people went on right as Covid came to town? Our average basket size went from $35 to $100 almost overnight! Manufacturers and wholesalers struggled to recover from that, leaving us with some empty shelves. Over the last 3 months, most of the supply problems have lessened, but we are not where we were in terms of product availability. The other reason was the huge amount of work needed to keep the Curbside Orders getting filled didn’t leave much staff time for processing preorders.
Going forward we will reboot our preorder program with the following changes and disclaimers:
- We reserve the right to delay ordering any preorders if that order will compromise the ability of the coop to continue to serve its membership as a whole.
- We may need to limit the number of cases anyone orders of any one product, depending on supply.
- We will do our best to keep you informed when a product will be unavailable for a long time.
- Preorders can be placed on Curbside orders, but know that they will take approximately 7 – 10 days to come in and will be processed separately.
We know how important preorders are to many of you. They offer value, convenience and sometimes the only way for you to get a product that we don’t normally carry. Please email us here if you have any questions or would like to place a preorder.
COVID-19 ACCOMMODATIONS FOR CUSTOMERS
As a grocery store, the Co-op is an essential business serving the public many hours each day. We are committed to putting reasonable procedures in place to limit risk to our staff and customers.
To aid in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus and for the safety of anyone and everyone in our store, we will no longer allow anyone in the store without a mask.
Currently COVID-19 is a recognized threat in the workplace. Under applicable law, businesses are allowed to consider reasonable modifications and accommodations when there is a direct threat in the workplace to ensure the safety of our staff, customers, and vendors. We are committed to providing everyone access to the Co-op’s goods and services. For our customers who are not able to wear a mask or need additional support for any reason, we are offering the following accommodations:
Curbside Pickup
The Co-op Curbside Pickup program is available for anyone to use and serves as an accommodation for our customers who are at high-risk and for those unable to wear masks. For customers who attest that they are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition or disability and thus cannot shop in the store, we will waive the picking fee, regularly $5 per order (picking fee is also automatically waived for shoppers paying with SNAP benefits).
Please click on the “Curbside Co-op” button on this page, where you will find instructions for placing a curbside order. If you have questions, need technical support, or do not have access to a computer or the internet, call the store at 860-456-3611, and we will assist you in placing an order for curbside pickup.
Curbside orders can be placed online 24/7, and there is generally a 24-72 hour wait time, depending on order volume. Orders may be picked up anytime the store is open, 9am-7pm every day.
If you need something outside the parameters of this service, please call the store at the number above and let us know what you need. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Text or Written Instructions
The hearing impaired may request email, written or text communication with our staff in the store or through our Curbside service.
Other barriers and requests:
There is no one-size-fits-all accommodation, so if you are encountering challenges in accessing our services, please call 860-456-3611 and ask for a Manager and let us know what you need so we can work with you to find a resolution.
Hello! We are pleased to announce that the Co-op will be reopening on Thursday June 11, 2020 at 10 am. We are excited to have all the life that our members and shoppers bring back inside our store once again. We appreciate your patience as we figured out the best and safest way to meet the needs of our very diverse community and provide you with the food that sustains us all.
Open 9am-7pm Every Day
Masks Required
Limited Number of Shoppers
Social Distancing at All Times
Curbside Available for a $5 Fee
(Fee effective June 11, automatically waived for SNAP shoppers)
As much as I would like to say everything will be like it was before, that just isn’t possible.
We are looking at this reopening as our ‘next normal’. What will be the same is our staff – the majority of us are here and we have missed you! A few have chosen not to return to work because of Coronavirus. The food and other products you are accustomed to seeing on our shelves are here. You may not find your favorite Grab and Go or Bakery items, but we are hoping to restock our full selection soon. A few things have been hard to come by, but for the most part, we are fully stocked. Local produce is just beginning to come in, and you will find vegetables from many familiar farms in our produce department.
The Bulk Department is very important to our members and a big part of what makes the Co-op the Co-op! It is also where you will see the biggest change as we reopen our store. We have chosen to have our staff fill your bulk food needs and not allow shoppers into that aisle. There is no realistic way that we could keep up with the recommended sanitizing protocol for all of those bins, jars and scoops. We also will not be allowing you to refill your own containers – it is just too easy to unwittingly spread the virus this way. We realize that this is sad, given the huge amount of work we all had been doing to reduce plastic and other waste in our shopping routine. It breaks my heart when I see the signs telling us how many 5 cent rebates we gave for the containers we reused. We worked really hard. My hope is that one day we can continue that work, but right now is not the time.
The Wellness department is also a challenge, particularly the middle aisle that is filled with a zillion small bottles! We have decided to close that aisle to shoppers – it is just too narrow to have more than one person in it at a time. We will have it fully staffed at all times to be sure that these products are available to you, and that a Wellness staff person will be there to answer any questions.
We ask that when you come to do your shopping you keep in mind and respect the safety of our other shoppers as well as the staff by following the guidelines that we have put in place.
To achieve this, masks are required by everyone, always. Six-foot social distancing is required. Handle as few things as possible, particularly in the produce department. We will be limiting the number of people in the store at any one time, so we ask that you come by yourself and with a list. Our store is small, which is one of the things that we love about it, but that also makes keeping our distance difficult.
We have instituted a regular cleaning and sanitizing routine throughout the day and hand sanitizer will be available in many locations.
The café area will be closed – instead it will be used for our Curbside order holding area. We will continue to offer the Curbside Co-op option to people who need it. Because of the additional labor, we will now charge a $5 fee. The way we have been doing Curbside was clearly the right thing to do once we closed the Coop to shoppers, but it is not sustainable financially.
We are prepared to change how we do things as our reopening plays out. Please let us know what works for you and what doesn’t.
Know that we are working hard to meet your needs for food and safety!
Alice Rubin, General Manager
Effective Saturday March 21 Our
Curbside Co-op program will continue, but
we are closing the store temporarily to all shoppers. We do not know when we will reopen. We are doing this out of concern for the safety of our shoppers and our staff.
We are committed to getting food to everyone who needs it and feel that we can best do this with curbside pickup for the time being. We believe we can do this more safely and effectively if the store is closed to the public.
Curbside Co-op – Order ahead and pick up
Effective Friday April 3
The NEW CURBSIDE ORDERING HOURS will be Sunday 6pm – Friday 6pm
All ordering will be unavailable between Friday 6pm and Sunday 6pm.
This will give our staff the chance to get caught up on outstanding orders and do some much needed cleaning and housekeeping at the store.
The NEW PICK UP HOURS will be Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm
The Co-op will be COMPLETELY CLOSED on Sundays.
This will give our staff the time to recover from running to fill orders all week long, allowing them to rest and take care of themselves so that we can continue to provide safe, excellent curbside service to our members and the community.
This has been a challenging time for all of us. We are doing the best that we can to get food to the Co-op, but there are still supply problems. We are grateful for our ability to remain flexible and positive amidst great fear and confusion. We have made the decision to change our ordering and pickup hours so that the Co-op can continue to bring food to our Member-Owners as safely as possible while maintaining the health and wellbeing of our incredibly dedicated and hard-working staff. We are grateful for your patience, flexibility, and support while we navigate through these difficult circumstances. We love and appreciate you!
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Closed on Easter, Sunday April 21
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Closed on Memorial Day, Monday May 27
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Closed on Independence Day, Thursday July 4
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Closed on Labor Day, Monday September 2
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 28
Closed on Friday November 29
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Open 8am – 3pm on Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24
Closed on Christmas Day, Wednesday December 25
** HOLIDAY HOURS **
Open 8am-7pm on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday December 31
Closed on New Year’s Day, Wednesday January 1
** INCLEMENT WEATHER HOURS **
Closing at 6:00 PM on Tuesday 12/17/19
** INCLEMENT WEATHER HOURS **
Closed on Tuesday 3/13/18
** INCLEMENT WEATHER HOURS **
We will be closed for business at 6pm on Tuesday 2/12/19
** The Co-op will close at 6 pm for Inventory on Monday September 30 **
Sorry for any inconvenience
**We will be closing at 6 pm for a Staff Meeting on Wednesday February 19**
Sorry for any inconvenience
**We will be closing at 6 pm for upgrades on Tuesday November 12**
Sorry for any inconvenience
***Coronavirus statement from WFC***
** NEW BUSINESS HOURS **
We will be opening at 9AM and closing at 6PM
Dear Willimantic Food Co-operators,
Beginning on Friday, March 20, at 9am, the Co-op will be limiting the number of shoppers in the store to 10 at a time.
We will ask shoppers to form a line outside the store, remaining six feet apart, until it is your turn to go in.
Seating will be provided.
If you are unable to wait in line, please designate a friend to hold your spot.
Preferably, use our curbside pick-up service.
We hope that this measure will help keep our staff and patrons safe and healthy.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and most of all, your co-operation!
** Now taking orders for our Fedco Bulb Group Order! See instructions. **
NOTE: The Board Meeting scheduled for December 6 has been postponed and rescheduled for December 13. The location has changed (for this month only) to: Access Community Action Agency, 1315 Main Street. This is the building next to Super Stop and Shop, where Planet Fitness is now. The entry door is facing Valley St. despite a Main St address.
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Welcome to the Willimantic Food Co-op!
It is often the case, in difficult times, that our Coop is an important resource for our community. The potential presence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our area is proving that this continues to be true.
You have come to us in recent days to stock your pantry, replenish cleaning supplies, and prepare alongside others in the community. As a grocery store, our co-op is in the unique position of offering essential services for our community while also doing all we can to minimize risk to our staff, members, and shoppers.
In light of the situation our community finds itself in, I want to share the things our co-op is doing to best serve you, care for our staff, and be a responsible member of our community:
- While we have had no reported COVID-19 infections in our co-op, we have asked any staff exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness or fever to stay home and notify their physician. Our co-op has a generous sick and vacation policy, and we are working with employees on a case-by-case basis to ensure they have the support they need.
- We are making hand sanitizer and wipes available at the entrance, exit and near the carts. Staff are also frequently cleaning all high-touch areas throughout the day – cart and shopping basket handles, cooler doors etc
- Our co-op prides itself on its cleanliness and food safety standards. This includes frequently sanitizing high-touch locations like credit card machines, scales, bathroom areas and, as mentioned above, carts and handbaskets. We have heavily invested in training our store’s management teams on food safety, with the majority of store and department leaders having their Serv-Safe certificates.
- We have temporarily ceased all sampling.
- All repacking of Bulk Foods is always done while wearing gloves.
- We are doing all that we can to be sure that our shelves are well stocked. This is very challenging – supplies are running low in all of our supplier’s warehouses. Sometimes there is a delay in deliveries and sometimes the product is truly not to be had. We will continue to work closely with our suppliers to ensure we have the essentials that you are seeking, like pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and health and body care items.
Throughout all of this, we are making additional efforts to demonstrate our gratitude to our staff who continue to work each day with commitment, compassion, and kindness to ensure our store is stocked, clean, and ready to serve you.
We will continue to monitor closely and be nimble in adjusting our operations to prioritize the health and safety of you and our staff.
Sincerely,
Alice Rubin
General Manager
Our store is open to members and non-members alike.
We hope you will find what you are looking for here and, please, come see us at the store! The Willimantic Food Co-op is a member owned and operated food store. We carry a full line of grocery items, produce, cheese, juices, grains, spices, vitamins, dairy products, homeopathic remedies, and paper goods.
- Members pay shelf price and have the option of working at the store to receive an additional discount.
- Non-members pay 10% above shelf price.
- We accept Credit and Debit Cards (MC, Visa, Discover). We also accept SNAP Benefits.
Employment at the Co-op
Job Opening – Part-time Cashier
NOW HIRING: Cashier/Wellness Clerk. Part time, 24 hours. Click
here for full job posting.
NOW HIRING: Assistant Front End Manager. Full time. Click
here for job posting.
Click
here for full job description.
NOW HIRING: Produce Department Team Member. Part time. Click
here for job posting.
AHORA CONTRATANDO: Miembro del departamento de alimentos frescos. Haga clic
aquí para la publicación de empleo.
NOW HIRING: Part-time Cashier. Click
here for job posting.
AHORA CONTRATANDO: Cajero a tiempo parcial. Haga clic
aquí para la publicación de empleo.
After submitting your application, please wait to be contacted by a hiring manager. We consider all applications, keep them on file for a year, and review all previous applications each time we have an opening. We are not able to call or interview every applicant. If you are not contacted, please feel free to call or come in and update your application when there is a new job post.
We accept unsolicited applications, download one here:
Interested in Proposition 138 which has been introduced in the CT legislature to enhance the existing CT Co-operative statutes and encourage more co-ops to incorporate in our state? The bill was initiated by the Willimantic Food Co-op, Fiddleheads Co-op in New London and developed with the support of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association. It was passed by the CT House and Senate and signed into law by the Governor on June 26, 2019.
Effective Saturday March 21, the Co-op will continue with curbside pickup but
we are closing the store temporarily to all shoppers. We do not know when we will reopen. We are doing this out of concern for the safety of our shoppers and our staff. We wish we could have given more notice for this drastic step, but we are in unprecedented times.
We are committed to getting food to everyone who needs it and feel that we can best do this with curbside pickup for the time being. We believe we can do this more safely and effectively if the store is closed to the public. Even so, it might take 24-72 hours to fill orders. We will pre-arrange pickup times.
Curbside Co-op – Order ahead and pick up
We are doing the best that we can to get food to the Co-op, but there are still supply problems. We ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility during this very challenging time. We love and appreciate you!
