Producer: Jaju Pierogi
Location: Boston, MA
Found at the Littleton Co-op: Frozen pierogi
Website: jajupierogi.com
“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” (President Jimmy Carter’s message designating March 2-8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week; a celebration that was soon expanded to National Women’s History Month). We’re taking the month of March to highlight and celebrate just some of the great women who have made an impact on our modern-day food system. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.
Jaju Pierogi is the brainchild of sisters Vanessa and Casey White, but is the culmination of the mix of food and family history stewarded by their Jaju (dziadziu, or grandfather in Polish). Their Jaju operated a Polish deli in Western Massachusetts that they were in and out of throughout child. Strong cultural roots and tradition also meant that pierogi was a well-revered (and well-stocked) food at home. Growing up and moving away from family meant straining their tether to high-quality pierogi and experiencing the yearning that ultimately inspired the creation of their business in honor of Jaju. When they took their original pierogi to their first farmers’ market, they sold out within an hour. Today, Jaju Pierogi is sold across the country in co-ops and national chains alike. The sisters even made an appearance on Shark Tank in 2025. Even as the business grows, Casey and Vanessa continue to make a commitment to cultivating positive community though hard work and enthusiasm – aka “the Jaju way.”
In addition to their delicious pierogi, Casey and Vanessa are known for infusing Jaju Pierogi with humor and spirit, whether that’s by making social media memes, wearing a literal pierogi costume, or supporting a local Polish American Women’s scholarship. Vanessa even appeared on the Littleton Co-op podcast, That’s Rad, back in 2024!
Status of product availability at the Littleton Co-op, and labeling of producers (such as local, Black-Owned Business, NH-made, etc) and product status or ingredients (gluten-free, vegan, etc) is based on available information at time of publication. The food world is an ever-changing landscape and information presented here may not reflect the most up-to-date information available.
