After the holidays, we usually find our pocket books a little lighter. Here are a few favorite Co+op Basics items our staff turn to when the money is a little tighter.  

I love Tinkyada Organic Gluten Free Spaghetti prepared al dente in a winter bolognese or broken into pieces in my lentil soup. Made in Canada, this is the best gluten free pasta I’ve ever tasted and it doesn’t break my budget. At 25% less than our nearest competitor, it’s the best price in town- I’ve checked! Stephanie Koerella, Education Coordinator

Host Defense MyCommunity is my favorite packaged product in our whole store. I turn to it when I have the first signs of a compromised immunity. It’s a blend of 17 medicinal mushrooms that work together to provide powerful immune support. James Dills, Wellness Department

Our Fuji apples are everything you could want in an apple. I keep mine in a bag in the refrigerator and pull out one a day (keeps the doctor away). They are the perfect middle-of-the-night snack, too. Have you ever eaten one in the dark? Try it! It takes the experience of eating an apple to a whole new level. Organic. Crisp. Perfectly sweet. The ultimate superfood. Why eat dessert when you can have an apple? Michelle Guerrie, Demo Coordinator

Organic, raw sunflower seeds are surprisingly inexpensive and very healthy. They are high in vitamin E, copper, B vitamins, phosphorus and selenium. Also, they are high in fiber and amino acids which make up the building blocks of protein. They come packed with essential fatty acids like polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid. With these great health benefits, plus the great price, this "super-seed" is hard to pass up. Aaron Smith, Bulk Grocery Department

To me there is nothing simpler and more cost effective than our Co+op Basics Organic Smart Chicken. I love to roast a whole chicken on the weekend with a side of vegetables, use the leftovers to make a few sandwiches and save the bones for a lovely stock. Mahlea Rasmussen, Outreach Assistant