The Best of 2020: Boise Co-op Staff Picks
2020 was one for the books here at the Boise Co-op. Luckily we’re supported by the best community we could ask for! We loved to see that in 2020, our shoppers did a lot of amazing gift-giving, curbside pickup orders to help keep our community safe, and we all got much more creative in the kitchen.
So what were some of the favorites that flew off the shelves this year? Below is a curated list of the most popular items of 2020, according to you, our shoppers, as well as our team of department experts!
WELLNESS DEPARTMENT
Four Sigmatic: Amazing coffee mix with a twist. As a brand it is one of our favorites. We carry almost everything they make, and their Chaga Coffee is a customer favorite.
Oregon's Wild Harvest: Their Aller-Aid with Quercetin is an herbal supplement and a staff favorite since being introduced at the Co-op.
Camamu Brand Happy Hair Shampoo Bar: Camamu's shampoos are made from eight different oils that create a lovely lather and gently cleanse—and we love that they are plastic-free!
Cheeky Mochi Face Masks: Made by a mother-daughter team from Nampa, Idaho who delight in the whimsy and joy of midcentury patterns and artists.
PRODUCE DEPARTMENT
Cosmic Crisp Apples: These apples are the remarkably delicious result of 20 years of study and research by Washington State University’s world-class tree fruit breeding program.
Shoots and Greens: These microgreens and sprouts come from a small family-owned nursery and farm with greenhouses in Caldwell and Wilder, Idaho who are on a mission to provide the healthiest, most sustainable produce possible.
CHEESE DEPARTMENT
Rogue River Blue: Known for being the World Champion Cheese of 2019 and 2020 - this stuff flies off our shelves.
A Boring Life Raw Honeys: A perfect way to elevate any cheese platter; great with brie cheeses, camemberts, blues, mild cheddars, and goudas.
Beehive Cheese: Known for their flavored cheeses such as Barely Buzzed, Red Butte Hatch Chile, Pour me a Slice, Teahive, and Apple Walnut Smoked.
Sartori: You can never go wrong with a Sartori cheese such as Bellavitano Gold, Merlot Bellavitano, and Raspberry Bellavitano. The perfect addition to any cheese platter.
MEAT & SEAFOOD DEPARTMENT
Wagyu Beef: The best tasting beef, period. American Wagyu is the ideal combination of the exceptional intermuscular marbling of purebred Japanese Wagyu and the intense meaty flavor of traditional American cattle. Snake River Farms is the pioneer of American Wagyu with a complete line of roasts, briskets and the best steaks.
Housemade Burgers: We can’t make these fast enough. They fly off the shelves, especially during grilling season. Not to mention our housemade sausages, all made on-site from simple ingredients and easily paired with our burgers for all backyard BBQs.
Steelhead Trout: Fresh Trout farmed in the U.S. in freshwater net pens is a "Best Choice."
DAIRY DEPARTMENT
Alexandre Farms Organic A2 Milk: “100% real milk that’s easier on digestion and may help some avoid discomfort.”* Hands down one of our favorites on this list.
Picabo Desert Local Goat Yogurt: This yogurt comes from a small family-owned and operated artisan goat dairy. Specializing in creating the best goat yogurt and goat cheese available, and boy do they knock it out of the park.
Oatly Oat Milk: Amazing plant-based vegan oatmilk. Easy on the stomach, easy add to your cart. *quote from Alexandre Family Farm
FROZEN & REFRIGERATED FOODS
Kula Connection: Known for their creative cashew cheese, Kula Connection delivers on their promise of “Good Mood Food.”
Kelsi’s Kitchen: Mouth-melting cacao bites with zero fillers and zero refined sugar. Need we say more?
Olli Pops: Nothing like a can of pop to bring some much-needed brightness to your life (and to your gut). This brand is drawing a line in the sand for a healthy alternative to soda.
Kodiak Pancakes & Waffles: These waffles are 100% whole grain, protein-packed, and non-GMO. A new pantry staple for many Boise Co-op shoppers.
GROCERY DEPARTMENT
Brook’s Broth: Soup broths and healthy alternatives to getting your vitamins are all the rage right now. Brook’s Broth delivers on healthy flavorful broth, plus they’re local!
Gorongosa Coffee: With every coffee purchase, you support people, wildlife, and the planet in Gorongosa National Park, in partnership with Zoo Boise.
Seeds, Roots, & Shoots: Locally-made international vegan mixes; each delicious, nutritious mix makes it simple to explore world cultures through food!
Direct Access Coffee: Delicious local coffee with an international cause. Coffee farmers need to make a living and many are already being forced to replace coffee with other, more profitable crops. When you purchase Direct Access Coffee, you can help save specialty coffee.