This holiday season, give gifts that tell a story. Choose items that reflect your values and contribute to a stronger and more sustainable community. Check out our staff picks for the perfect holiday gift ideas that are not only unique and thoughtful but are also budget and eco-friendly and align with cooperative values.
Organic Satsuma Mandarin Oranges
Johansen Ranch, Orland, California
5 lb. Gift Box: $16.99 Dec. 13 through Dec. 19
Rich Johansen, a second-generation grower, is a true pioneer in organic Satsuma production. Operating in Orland, California, he tends 48 acres of Satsuma trees planted by his father and uncle in the 1960s. Johansen’s dedication to quality is evident in his professional picking crew, who return each season to harvest the sweetest Satsumas on the market.
Certified organic since 1990, Johansen Ranch leaves 25 acres fallow for natural habitat, employing sustainable practices like keeping a grass mat on the ground to absorb heavy rain. Recognized as a true pioneer, Rich Johansen’s commitment to excellence has earned him a reputation in the industry. Satsumas from Johansen Ranch, known for their super-sweet flavor, juiciness, and easily peeled “zipper skin,” stand as a testament to his expertise and dedication to organic fruit production.
Délice de Bourgogne Triple Cream
Fromagerie Lincet
Burgundy, France
$7.99 per lb. (reg. $13.99) through Dec. 19
An indulgent triple-cream cheese, Delice de Bourgogne is a rich and creamy French cow’s milk cheese made with full-fat cow’s milk and fresh cream. It boasts a rich, voluptuous flavor that is both tangy and sweet. This buttery soft cheese is perfect for serving with crackers and baguette and pairs well with sweet fresh strawberries and chilled Champagne.
Fromagerie Lincet is based in the towns of Saligny, Vaudes, and Brochon, nestled in the heart of the Côte de Nuit vineyards—a region that unites the cheese-making traditions of Champagne and Burgundy. Fromagerie Lincet takes pride in its local ties and commitment to sustainability.
Over 50 years of collaboration with 61 local farmers, Fromagerie Lincet ensures a constant supply of quality milk, fostering trust and loyalty. Their long-term contracts guarantee fair returns, emphasizing the shared future between the dairy and farmers.
Environmental responsibility is a priority with safe water treatment stations since 1999, and consistent reductions in water and energy consumption over two decades. Fromagerie Lincet’s dedication to both local heritage and sustainable practices makes it a perfect holiday co-op gift.
Rush Creek Reserve
Upland’s Cheese, Pleasant Ridge, Wisconsin
$36.99 per wheel
Rush Creek Reserve is a seasonal delight produced exclusively in the fall, crafted from the rich milk of cows transitioning from summer pasture to winter hay, this cheese, often likened to savory custard, is a decadent experience. Encased in spruce bark, each wheel exudes a subtle woodsy flavor. Best enjoyed at room temperature or gently warmed, the soft interior reveals deep yet delicate, rich, and savory flavors perfectly complemented by cured meats, roasted root vegetables, and off-dry white wines.
Uplands Cheese Company This 500-acre pasture-based farm, sitting on a ridge untouched by ancient glaciers, boasts rolling hills and valleys shaped by rivers and streams over millennia and is committed to sustainable practices and traditional farming. The landscape serves as an ideal setting for the farm’s seasonal, pasture-fed herd. Grazing on diverse grasses, legumes, and wildflowers, the cows are moved daily, ensuring the production of healthy, flavorful milk and promoting sustainable pasture regeneration. With a focus on raw milk and traditional alpine cheese-making methods, Uplands Cheese Company emphasizes environmental consciousness by maintaining a closed herd and crossbreeding nine types of cows for enhanced adaptability and reduced ecological impact.
Big Dipper Wax Works Candles
Select Big Dipper Wax Works candles on sale through Dec. 19
Big Dipper Wax Works was founded in 1993 on the Olympic Peninsula and remains a pillar in craftsmanship and sustainability in handcrafted candles. Inspired by the Big Dipper, the artisanal venture emerged from a desire to create natural, hand-dipped beeswax candles.
Craftsmanship Skilled artisans hand-pour, dip, and shape each product, infusing values of love for the craft and respect for nature. The candles are not just visually appealing but are crafted with precision and care.
Sustainability 100% pure beeswax sourced from Northwest beekeepers, naturally filtered through clay. This organization practices fair trade partnerships and emphasizes the use of locally sourced materials and eco-friendly dyes. It also practices and supports sustainable beekeeping education and outreach. Eco-friendly practices like using recycled packaging and encouraging customer container reuse are fundamental principles of the business.
Pasta Dinner
Sales through Dec. 19
Rao’s Pasta Sauce $5.99 per 24. oz. jar (reg. $9.99)
Sfoglini Organic Whole Grain Reginetti $3.99 (reg. $5.99)
Zoë Olive Oil 3 liter $13 off (reg. $52.99)
Zoë Olive Oil $15.99 per 34. oz container (reg. $19.99)
Organic Driftless Coffee (12 ounces)
Wonderstate Coffee $10.99 through Dec. 19 (reg $14.59)
In the heart of the Midwest, Wonderstate Coffee has been crafting exceptional coffees since 2005, demonstrating that size doesn’t dictate impact. From their 100% solar-powered roastery, the company has made strides in sustainability. Notably, Wonderstate became one of the world’s first coffee roasters to generate all power from an on-site solar array in 2015.
Beyond solar initiatives, Wonderstate is committed to a resilient future. They offset shipping emissions, source 94-97% of their coffees from certified organic producers, and champion climate resilience. Understanding the impact of climate change on coffee producers, they actively support regenerative agricultural practices and equitable compensation for farmers.
Wonderstate’s pursuit of spectacular coffee is rooted in their gratitude for coffee farmers. From ensuring farmer stability through long-term partnerships to promoting climate resilience, pay transparency, and innovative collaborations, Wonderstate strives for a just and resilient coffee future.
Gifts like Wonderstate coffees contribute to a sustainable coffee culture that transcends the cup, making a positive impact on both producers, local communities, and the planet.
DIY - Gift Jars!
Check out the recipes in the links below for some fun gifts that you can make at home on a budget. You can find many of the ingredients for the red lentil soup in the bulk section and the hot cocoa can be made dairy-free, vegan or plant-based!