member deals

Spotlight on Aura Cacia

As Co-op Month continues, we’re casting our Member Deals Spotlight on cooperatively-owned Aura Cacia. All of their products are 20% off for member-owners from October 15-21.  

As part of Frontier Co-op, Aura Cacia shares the same cooperative values that guide us here at the Co-op—care for people, care for the planet, and a commitment to doing business in a way that benefits both.

Aura Cacia believes in the power of positive change—both in personal well-being and in the world we share. Their essential oils, skin care oils, and aromatherapy products are made from simple, pure botanical ingredients that harness nature’s ability to support health and balance.

Every ingredient is carefully and sustainably sourced from growers around the globe. To ensure safety and integrity, every shipment of essential oil is tested to verify its purity and quality. From field to bottle, Aura Cacia’s process reflects a dedication to transparency and trust—so customers can feel confident about what they’re bringing into their homes and putting onto their skin.

A History Rooted in Purpose

Aura Cacia began in 1982 in Weaverville, California, when a small group of aromatherapy enthusiasts set out to share the benefits of essential oils. In 1993, the company joined Frontier Co-op, strengthening its connection to cooperative values and its commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability.

Since then, Aura Cacia has continued to lead the way in aromatherapy—becoming the first brand to offer a full line of certified organic essential oils in 1995 and later moving its operations to Urbana, Iowa, near Frontier Co-op’s headquarters. Now, more than forty years later, Aura Cacia remains a trusted name in aromatherapy, rooted in purpose and inspired by possibility.

The Positive Change Project

Aura Cacia’s commitment to positive change extends far beyond their products. In 2016, they launched the Positive Change Project, a grant program that supports nonprofit organizations helping women and girls transform their lives.

Since its founding, the program has granted over $1 million to organizations that help women overcome barriers such as domestic violence, housing insecurity, and economic hardship. Past recipients include:

  • Climb Wyoming, which helps single mothers gain job skills and financial stability.

  • Calvary Women’s Services, providing trauma-informed healthcare, housing, and life skills education.

  • Resonance Center, supporting women impacted by the criminal justice system through counseling and mentorship.

  • Catherine McAuley Center, offering housing, mental health services, and community support for women rebuilding their lives.

Every Aura Cacia purchase helps fund these programs, and serves as small act of support for women striving for independence and well-being.

Discover and Create

Be sure to check out Aura Cacia’s impressive collection of recipes to unleash the full potential of their essential oils. Whether you’re looking for DIY recipes for facial care, body care, or home cleaning products, they’ve got something for you!

Co-op Connection Business of the Month – County Tire

Winter weather is just around the corner, so it’s a great time to start thinking about winter tires.  We invite you to check out our Co-op Connection Business of the Month – County Tire! Not only can they fix you up with new tires, but they also offer a wide range of automotive services and they have a special deal for Co-op member-owners! Present your member card to receive 10% off parts and 5% off tires! Read on to learn more about the oldest locally-owned tire shop in Addison County:

If you need tire or automotive care, trust County Tire Center, Inc! Located at 33 Seymour Street Middlebury, VT 05753, County Tire Center, Inc. is your trusted source for all of your automotive and tire needs. Owners Steve and Lisa are there to ensure that your visit to County Tire Center, Inc. will not only solve all of your automotive needs but will be one that you will be sure to share with others. They take pride in quality service and the ability to meet customers’ needs in a timely manner.

Servicing customers in the greater Champlain Valley of Vermont and New York, County Tire Center, Inc. has the automotive expertise and friendly, reliable service you need to get you back on the road fast! From tire sales and batteries to shocks, struts, brake, and transmission services, they can handle all of your vehicle needs to keep you running in top shape.

With their years of experience, they offer quality parts and services at the best prices possible. They take pride in their work and strive for great customer satisfaction on each visit. Their goal is to keep your vehicle running in the best possible condition and they will not settle for “good enough.” They went into business in order to bring a higher quality to automotive work in the Middlebury area and intend to have each customer leave happy while offering the most competitive prices in the area.

With their excellent selection of Bridgestone, Firestone, and Nokian tires, they can fit any vehicle make and model. They strive to ensure customer satisfaction and vehicle safety and will do whatever it takes to make sure that you and your vehicle only receive top-quality tires and equipment. They understand that your vehicle is a large investment and they welcome your business in protecting that investment.

If you need general automotive services, computerized tire balancing, general tire service, oil changes, brake service, custom auto detailing or performance tires, consider County Tire Center, Inc. Do you have an electric or hybrid vehicle? County Tire Center, Inc. is an authorized Hybrid/EV repair center offering a wide range of services to keep your hybrid or electric vehicle in top condition. Please feel free to contact them at 802-388-7620 or online to discuss the many options and services offered.

How do they stay small and sell big? It’s simple: years of experience. County Tire Center, Inc. has been in business since 1982. Their mission is to offer you the latest in parts and products, at the best prices with unparalleled service. They pledge their best efforts to make your experience both beneficial and enjoyable. Once you try County Tire, we’re sure you’ll be back for more!

 

Spotlight on Equal Exchange

October Member Deals Spotlight: Equal Exchange
Celebrating Co-op Month, Fair Trade Month & Non-GMO Month

October is a month dedicated to values that matter—cooperation, fairness, and transparency in our food systems. That’s why we’re shining this weeks Member Deals Spotlight on Equal Exchange—a worker-owned cooperative that’s transforming global trade by working directly with small farmer co-ops. From October 1-7, all Equal Exchange products are 20% off for member-owners!

Equal Exchange was founded in 1986 to challenge the exploitative global trade model that favors large agribusiness and multinational corporations. Instead, they work with small-scale farmers, helping them gain access to international markets on fair terms. Every Equal Exchange product is:

  • Certified Organic
  • Fairtrade Certified
  • Produced by cooperatives
  • Non-GMO

From coffee and chocolate to avocados and bananas, Equal Exchange creates a trade system that is rooted in equity, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment

To read more about their history, click here.

 

 Bananas
The banana industry is known for harmful labor practices and environmental degradation. Equal Exchange partners with co-ops in Ecuador and Peru—like AsoGuabo and CEPIBO—where farmers have collective ownership, democratic control, and access to fair prices. This not only sustains their land and livelihoods, but reinvests in local communities. Buying Equal Exchange bananas means supporting a model that respects people and the planet.

 

Community members of Asoguabo Co-op and Equal Exchange Worker Owners in Ecuador

 Avocados
In Michoacán, Mexico, small farmers from co-ops like PRAGOR and PROFOSMI produce organic avocados despite pressure from large industrial agriculture. These farmers face challenges like market access and pricing volatility, but Equal Exchange offers a lifeline through long-term, stable partnerships.
One inspiring example is Las Mujeres Polinizadoras de Tingambato, a women’s beekeeping co-op started with fair trade premiums to empower women through sustainable, income-generating work.

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Equal Exchange visiting the farmers from the PROFOSMI avocado cooperative

 

Coffee
Coffee is where it all began for Equal Exchange. In 1986, they introduced Café Nica, sourced from Nicaraguan farmers, as the first fairly traded coffee in the U.S. market. Today, Equal Exchange supports coffee farmers worldwide through initiatives like:

  • Women in Coffee Series – spotlighting women leaders in the coffee supply chain
  • The Congo Coffee Project – raising awareness and over $100,000 in support of Panzi Hospital, which helps survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

 

 

 

 Chocolate
The global chocolate industry often relies on child labor, forced labor, and poverty wages. Equal Exchange’s cocoa is grown by small farmer co-ops in Peru, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, under strict Fair Trade and labor standards. Even the sugar in their chocolate bars comes from a small farmer co-op in Paraguay, creating a fully ethical supply chain.

Why It Matters

Equal Exchange proves that business can be a force for good. Their success is built on solidarity—not charity—and their model connects consumers with the people behind their food. Every cup of coffee, bite of chocolate, or slice of avocado toast is a chance to support a system that values dignity, democracy, and sustainability.

Spotlight on Old Road Farm

As our Eat Local Challenge rolls on, we’re shining a bright Member Deals Spotlight on our friends at Old Road Farm! All of their glorious organic produce is 20% off for member-owners from September 10st – 16th! Read on to learn more about these VT  farmers, the diverse experience they bring to this challenging profession, and their commitment to real organic farming:

Meet the Farmers

A transplant from New York, Gabby Tuite came to Vermont to attend the University of Vermont where she received a bachelor’s in Community Development and Applied Economics. While studying at UVM, she took an internship at the Shelburne Farms’ Market Garden where she first got her hands dirty and fell in love with farming. After UVM, Gabby worked at River Berry Farm for two seasons. Here she learned how to grow on a larger scale, taking note of the efficiencies required to run a profitable farm. Between growing seasons, Gabby has worked at the City Market Onion River-Coop as a Produce Buyer and Team Leader giving her insight into marketing and merchandising, supervising employees as well as the local food chain from a buyer’s perspective.

Gabby Tuite and Henry Webb

Henry Webb grew up with large vegetable gardens and has fond early memories of visiting his father working at the UVM dairy barn. Starting in his teens he spent eight seasons working for Last Resort Farm, a Certified Organic vegetable, berry, and hay farm. He learned to maintain and work on the farm’s equipment and infrastructure as well as organic vegetable farming practices. Henry also spent two years at New Village Farm where he worked with a small herd of Normandie cattle producing raw milk and beef. At New Village, he was given the opportunity to manage and expand the farm’s market garden and gained experience producing for a small CSA, a farm stand, and the Shelburne Farmers Market.

About the Farm

Gabby and Henry shared a dream of owning their own farm and first began their adventure in the Fall of 2015 on a quarter-acre plot in the old field below Henry’s childhood home in Monkton, Vermont, mostly growing vegetables for a few area farmer’s markets. In the Fall of 2019, they were able to secure their dream “forever farm” with the help of the Vermont Land Trust. This gorgeous farm is nestled in the fertile river valley of Granville, Vermont, surrounded by National Forest land.

They specialize in growing fresh, high-quality salad greens and seasonal vegetables for local markets with a deep commitment to the highest standards of ecologically sound, regenerative, and innovative vegetable production. Their produce is Certified Organic by VOF and they are also certified by the Real Organic Project, a grassroots, farmer-led movement created to distinguish soil-grown and pasture-raised products under USDA organic. Gabby and Henry share that they choose to be certified by the Real Organic Project (ROP) because their farming practices are inherently tied to the land and the soil that they farm.

 

Gabby shares that “In Vermont, we are really fortunate to have the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) and its certifying body, Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF), who share that commitment, but on a national level, we agree with the ROP that industrialization has in some ways diluted the intent of the organic label. We really don’t like to be critical of anyone’s farming practices, but there are currently things allowed under national standards that we don’t think fit people’s perception of what an organic farm is and we think that consumers have a right to an informed decision about what they are buying. We see our farm, our land, as not just a medium for production but a deeply complex living system that we ultimately bear the responsibility to steward. ROP is an advocate for that view.” 

 

Here at the Co-op, you can find an abundant array of Old Road Farm’s produce, including spinach, chard, salad mix, arugula, collards, sweet peppers, cauliflower, radishes, patty pan squash, broccolini, watermelon, and scallions, each in their respective seasons. If you find yourself traveling Vermont’s iconic Route 100 through Granville, be sure to stop for a visit at their farmstand, where you can find a colorful mix of all the produce grown at their farm, which includes the usual lineup of goodies you can find at the Co-op, along with eggplant, tomatoes, squash, celery, and more! 

Business of the Month – Stone Leaf Teahouse

It’s that time of year again—the days grow shorter, the evenings turn cool and crisp. Picture a whistling kettle, the warm spice of simmering chai, and a quiet spot to sit, relax, and savor the moment. That’s the experience waiting for you at our September featured Co-op Connection Business, Stone Leaf Teahouse. As a Co-op member-owner, you’ll receive 10% off your order at the teahouse. You can also find Stone Leaf’s premium loose-leaf teas right here in our Bulk Tea department.

The staff at Stone Leaf knows tea inside and out. John, the owner, has traveled to many of the farms where their teas are grown, giving him a firsthand connection to the people and places behind each leaf. That depth of knowledge shows up not just in their teahouse but also online, where you’ll find their handy “Tea Guru” tool to help you discover your perfect match.

About Stone Leaf

Founded in 2009, Stone Leaf Teahouse is tucked into the Marbleworks in Middlebury, where stone walls help keep fresh teas fresh and allow aging teas to mature gracefully. Their mission is simple: connect tea drinkers to the families and gardens that have grown and processed tea for generations.

Each year, they travel to tea regions across China, Taiwan, India, Nepal, and Japan to source directly from growers. By bringing back the best harvests multiple times a year, Stone Leaf ensures that what’s in your cup is as fresh and flavorful as it gets.

 

 

Workshops & Learning

Curious to learn more? Stone Leaf offers workshops throughout the year, with opportunities to deepen your understanding of tea culture and traditions. 

 

Explore the Menu

Stone Leaf Teahouse serves an extensive menu of unique teas, many of which are certified organic. View the entire menu here.

Spotlight on Bee’s Wrap

We’re shining this week’s Member Deals Spotlight on a mission-driven local business creating innovative, award-winning products to help us curb our dependence on plastic — Bee’s Wrap! From August 27- September 2, all Bee’s Wrap products are 20% off for member-owners, so it’s a great time to stock up on these reusable, rugged, eco-friendly, locally-made, fully compostable wraps. Read on to learn more about this local company, its mission, and its fierce advocacy:

 

 

The story of Bee’s Wrap begins in Vermont, where founder Sarah Kaeck, a mother and gardener, sought a healthier, more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. Drawing inspiration from traditional methods, she began experimenting with infusing organic cotton with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin in her home kitchen. The result was a reusable, breathable wrap that kept food fresh naturally. What started as a homemade project in 2012 has since blossomed into an internationally recognized brand

 

 

Each Bee’s Wrap is made with thoughtfully sourced materials. The cotton is certified organic and meets the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Beeswax is harvested from responsibly managed hives, while the jojoba oil and tree resin are also organic and natural. These ingredients create a flexible and self-adhesive material that can be washed and reused for up to a year.

Sustainability is woven into every step of Bee’s Wrap’s process. The wraps are handmade in a solar-powered facility in Vermont. Packaging is completely plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable—even the cellulose window is compostable. As a Certified B Corporation and Green America Certified Business, Bee’s Wrap maintains the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.

 

 

The impact of switching to Bee’s Wrap is significant. One wrap can eliminate hundreds of square feet of single-use plastic wrap annually. If every household in the United States made the change, it could prevent more than 212 million square feet of plastic waste each year. Beyond individual use, Bee’s Wrap partners with organizations like 1% for the Planet and the 5 Gyres Institute to actively combat ocean pollution and support conservation efforts worldwide.

But Bee’s Wrap isn’t just about function—it’s also about beauty and craftsmanship. Each wrap is handmade by a dedicated team in Vermont and features designs from local artists that change with the seasons. From simple kitchen use to creative gift wrapping, Bee’s Wrap combines aesthetics with utility in a way that’s both practical and inspiring.

 

With every use, Bee’s Wrap becomes a small act of environmental care. It’s washable, compostable, and thoughtfully made to reduce our collective dependence on plastic. Whether you’re storing leftovers, wrapping sandwiches, or packing snacks, Bee’s Wrap makes sustainable living easy—and a little more beautiful.

It’s not just about replacing plastic. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that values quality, care, and the planet we all share. Bee’s Wrap is a daily reminder that small changes really can make a big difference.

Explore more at beeswrap.com and take your first step toward a cleaner, greener kitchen.

 

 

 

Spotlight on Cascadian Farm

We’re shining this week’s Member Deals Spotlight on Cascadian Farm. Their full line of organic products are 20% off for member-owners from August 13th-19th, so it’s a great time to stock up and save! Read on to learn more about their commitment to providing healthy, organic foods for over 50 years:

 

From a Dream in the Mountains: The Story of Cascadian Farm

Every great movement starts with a single step—or in our case, a single seed.

The story of Cascadian Farm began in 1972 with Gene Kahn, a grad student from Chicago with big dreams and even bigger ideals. Gene wasn’t just interested in farming; he was passionate about doing it differently. He believed in a future where agriculture could nourish both people and the planet, and he was willing to take the hard road to make that vision real.

 

Armed with little more than determination and a deep respect for the Earth, Gene found a small patch of land tucked into the breathtaking Cascade Mountains of Washington. There, he began farming the only way he knew how: through trial and error. It wasn’t easy, but Gene was committed to learning how to grow food in harmony with nature, without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

 

Gene’s work laid the foundation for something bigger. He realized early on that true change wouldn’t come from one farm alone—it would take a community of like-minded growers dedicated to farming with the future in mind. That insight became the heart of Cascadian Farm.

Today, Cascadian Farm has grown far beyond its original plot of land. But our commitment remains rooted in Gene’s vision. We’re proud to support a network of farmers who use organic and regenerative practices—farming in ways that heal the land, protect biodiversity, and help build thriving communities.

 

 

 

Co-op Connection Business of the Month – Green Peppers!

Looking for a satisfying slice of pizza, a hearty calzone, or a crisp, refreshing salad? This August, we’re excited to spotlight Green Peppers Restaurant as our Co-op Connection Business of the Month. MNFC member-owners can enjoy a 10% discount on orders year round.

 

Located in Shaw’s Plaza in Middlebury, Green Peppers has been a fixture in the community for over 40 years. Since opening in 1982, the restaurant has been proudly family-owned and operated by Mark and Donna Perrin. From the beginning, they set out to offer high-quality, affordable meals in a warm and welcoming environment—and that tradition continues today.

 

 

While best known for their delicious pizzas, Green Peppers offers a wide-ranging menu full of comfort food favorites. Guests can enjoy hearty pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and chicken parmesan; stacked sandwiches such as Philly steak and black bean burgers; and fresh, customizable salads like the popular buffalo chicken salad. Shareable appetizers round out the menu, and there are gluten-free pizza crusts and vegetarian options to suit different dietary needs. For larger gatherings, their ready-to-order pasta trays—serving 10 to 12 people—are perfect crowd-pleasers, with choices like baked ziti, mac and cheese, and chicken broccoli alfredo.

 

 

Green Peppers is more than just a local eatery. Mark Perrin has long been a dedicated community advocate. Over the years, he has served on several local boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Investment Board, and Middlebury Business Association. He’s also an active member of the Addison County Hunger Council, working closely with Hunger Free Vermont to address local food insecurity. From 2013 to 2019, Mark brought his commitment to equity to the state level, serving on the Vermont State Board of Education and advocating for fair access to education for all Vermont students.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, planning a family dinner, or catering a party, Green Peppers offers comforting, quality food with a side of community spirit. They currently offer curbside pickup and takeout only, making it easy and convenient to enjoy your favorites at home or on the go. Don’t forget to show your Co-op Membership Card to receive 10% off your order!

Spotlight on Stonyfield

We’re shining our Co-op Spotlight on Stonyfield this week to highlight their commitment to organic dairy, the family farmers that make it possible, and the Earth that sustains us. Member-owners can enjoy 20% off their full line of organic dairy products from July 30- August 5!  Read on to learn more about Stonyfield’s history and mission and their commitment to Vermont organic dairy farmers:

History:

While Stonyfield is best known for making yogurt, yogurt wasn’t the way the founders of Stonyfield thought they’d change the world. In 1983, Stonyfield co-founders Samuel Kaymen and Gary Hirshberg were simply trying to help family farms survive, protect the environment, and keep food and food production healthy through their nonprofit organic farming school.

Just to keep things running, the duo started putting their farm’s seven cows to work making yogurt. They knew they were making a healthy food grown with care; what they didn’t expect was how much people would love it.

People went crazy for the yogurt from Samuel and Gary’s little farm school, and the two knew they had found a way to make a real difference. With this yogurt business, the two organic farming teachers could show the whole world that a company could make healthy, delicious food without relying on toxic chemicals that harm the environment and public health.

So, the two went all-in on yogurt and, over 30 years later, the folks at Stonyfield continue to honor the example their founders set. They’re still located in New Hampshire, just 30 miles east of the old farm. And now, their organic ingredient purchases support a huge network of food producers made up of hundreds of organic family farms, thousands of organic cows, and over 200,000 organic acres!

They‘ve also pioneered planet-friendly business practices—from offsetting emissions at their production facility to making yogurt cups from plants instead of petroleum to making their own renewable energy, and much more.

The thought and passion that started Stonyfield Organic in the first place have only grown stronger, and they’ve never stopped working for healthy food, healthy people, and a healthy planet.

Commitment to Organic:

Stonyfield’s products are all 100% certified organic – made without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs.  Eating organic isn’t just good for you and your family, it’s straight up good for other people and the planet. One of the main goals of organic farming practices is to avoid contamination of our precious soil, rivers, drinking water, and air with toxic persistent chemicals. This also means that organic farmers, farmworkers, and their neighbors aren’t exposed to potentially carcinogenic herbicides. Organic agriculture not only means less dependence on fossil fuels, but it can also actually help reduce climate change. It’s estimated that converting all of America’s cropland to organic would have the same carbon-reducing effect as taking 217 million cars off the road!

There is also compelling evidence to support the notion that organic dairy is more nutritious than its conventional counterpart. Why? Because it comes from cows that are actively grazing on grass, as nature intended. Organically raised cows spend their days outside on pasture so the milk they produce is significantly higher in Omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), heart-healthy fats that can help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. There is a lot to be learned and said about organic farming, and Stonyfield hopes you will join them in the journey towards healthier, more resilient food systems.

Saving our Region’s Organic Dairy Farms:

In the fall of 2021, Danone, the parent company of Horizon Organic, announced it would stop buying milk from 28 farms in Vermont and a total of 61 in Maine, New Hampshire, and New York. The deadline was originally set for August of 2022, but it was later extended to February 2023. Shortly thereafter, 46 organic family farms in eastern New York received similar notices from their processor Maple Hill Creamery.  The 135 termination notices placed a large percentage of the region’s organic dairy farms in financial jeopardy and created an urgent wake-up call for our region. Unless we take swift action, our hard-working family farms – and the promise of a climate-positive, secure food system supported by their organic methods – will face dire consequences.

Stonyfield quickly sprang into action, launching an internal task force of senior company leaders to work alongside various state departments of agriculture, nonprofit organizations, retailers, and institutional food customers to find ways to keep more of these farms alive and in business. Stonyfield ultimately agreed to take on five of those contracts and was active in forming in the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership (NOFFP) to help increase commitments from both consumers and retailers to purchase locally-produced organic milk in an effort to maintain a viable market for these farmers. Organic Valley also stepped up in a big way, offering membership to 90 of the farms affected by the contract losses. Stonyfield accepts milk through Organic Valley and directly from farmers as part of its Direct Supply Program. The farmers dropped by Danone will be part of Stonyfield’s Direct Supply Program, and new farmers’ contracts will look the same as the company’s contracts with current farmers. 

We are grateful to Stonyfield and others who have stepped up in such a big way to support our region’s organic dairy farms! We’re also grateful to consumers who are committed to supporting our region’s organic dairy farms. Our friends at NOFA-VT said it best: “by purchasing certified organic milk and dairy products, you’re supporting farmers who feed Vermonters, steward our land, and provide a massive cultural and economic value to Vermont’s rural communities.”

Spotlight on Late July

This week our Member Deals Spotlight shines on Late July products! All of their products are 20% off for member-owners from July 23-29.  Read on to learn more about them:

 

 

Late July is named for that sweet spot of summer when life feels simple, pure & good and it’s also their philosophy on snack-making. They believe that the best parties need a few simple things — great friends, good stories and delicious food! At Late July, these three things always come together around a big bowl of delicious tortilla chips. That is why they take so much care in using the highest quality ingredients without sacrificing on taste. They care deeply about using organic and non-GMO ingredients and making chips for everyone at the party. 

Their snacks stand out in a crowded snack aisle, not just because of their delicious taste, but also because of their commitment to sourcing the highest quality organic and non-GMO ingredients that are free of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. You’ll find a variety of gluten-free, vegan, Kosher and nut-free offerings to please every palate.

 

They hope that you enjoy eating their snacks as much as they enjoy making them!