Like so many things, charcuterie board assembly is an art and a science. Luckily we have a fabulous team of in-house scientists– ahem, sorry, cheesemongers – to help us out. They are master cheese recommenders, board assemblers, and accessory pair-ers. While they’re not going to be with you next time you’re assembling a board (sorry, we don’t do house calls), here are some easy things to remember when putting a charcuterie board (or really any type of spread) together: 

Individual taste – Do the pieces on your board taste good by themselves? If you or the majority of your guests aren’t fans, it’s unlikely there’s a “perfect pairing” out there to take it from a 0 to a 10. Don’t try and convince yourself that “the rules” say you need to have something you aren’t a fan of. Save your money and avoid the bad egg all together. 

Pairing taste – Can the individual pieces on your board be combined with other pieces on your board for an enhanced tasting experience? I often draw up the same question when cheese shopping as I do when clothing shopping: how many “outfits” can I wear this individual piece with? Your “cheese wardrobe” will work the best when you maximize the number of pieces that can be mixed and matched. And yes, there are certain times when we want to buy that fancy top because it will pair so nicely with those specific pants, and that’s okay. But your guests, and your wallet, won’t appreciate the rules around eating. Think of it this way: unless you want to stand in front of the cheeseboard all night and explain everything to your X amount of guests, they will be left to their own, less knowledgeable, devices

Presentation – Even if your guests aren’t the kind of people who say “the phone eats first,” presentation can still be important. If you didn’t care at least an ounce about the appearance of your food, you would be serving everything separately in its original packaging. Appearance can also play a role in how food tastes. Now, this is not to say that your board has to be outlandish, perfectly crafted, or difficult to assemble. But even something as simple as a clean, straight knife cut or breaking up a sea of off-white with food of another color can enhance your presentation – and your perceived taste. Board organization is also your opportunity to subtly suggest pairings to your guests.

A bottle of wine is not an uncommon gift to give whoever is hosting you for the holidays. But sometimes, for whatever reason, that’s not the gift most appropriate to give. Now what? We put our in-house cheesemonger team to the test to put together The Ultimate Gift Basket™. Not just limited to hosts, this is a timeless, ageless, and genderless gift idea for anyone you want to treat in your life. It gives all the presentation of a thoughtful gift that took hours to put together– with none of the actual work or hours required. We did all the prep for you, all you have to do is choose what looks good to you (or your recipient) from our collection down below, and choose an appropriate vessel to present it in. And if you need any further advice or recommendations, chat with the Specialty Cheese team in store or check out their holiday serving recommendations here.

Basket above includes:

• Firehook Baked Sea Salt Crackers
• Le Broye du Poitou pure butter shortbreads
• Effie’s Oatcake Biscuits
• Vermont Farmstead Cranberry Windsordale
• Tillamook Maker’s Reserve White Cheddar Cheese
• Mountain Fire Farm Hot Pepper Maple Cream
• Jasper Hill Harbison
• Champlain Valley Creamery Truffle Triple
• Blake Hill Tart Cherry Preserve
• Nettle Meadow Maple Fromage Frais
• Vermont Farmstead Blueberry Windsordale
• Crooked Mile Goat Feta
• Santori Tennessee Whiskey Bellavitano
• Sartori Merlot Bellavitano
• Vermont Salumi Salami (various flavors)
• Vermont Farmstead Brie

 

Recommendations Straight from the Speciality Cheese Department

When picking a cheese or two for your next hosting gig, it might seem that the easiest course of action is to walk into the Littleton Co-op and ask one of our cheesemongers “What’s your favorite?” Especially for a BIG hosting gig, like a holiday party, or even the main meal. But asking a cheesemonger to pick their favorite cheese is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child: it changes throughout the year. While our cheese team can’t be at your house to oversee your cocktail hour or appetizer set up, we can pass along some of their personal tried and true favorites for this time of the year.

Meg

(L to R): Jasper Hill Willoughby, 34 Degrees Original Crisps, Brabander Goat Gouda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travis

(L to R): Colston Bassett Shropshire Blue, Brebirousse D’Argental, Cranberry Almond Maine Crisp)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catherine

(L to R): Effie’s Gruyere Biscuits, White Stilton w/ cranberries,

 

So! Much! Food! Don’t think of what’s left in your fridge the day after as sad leftovers — they’re brand new possibilities! There’s nothing wrong with the classic go-to of the “leftovers sandwich,” but sometimes you want to step outside the box a bit. We’ve compiled a list of some ideas to use all of your leftovers, and all the combinations therewithin. Enjoy!

Full Meal Leftovers

Thanksgiving Leftover Tacos 

Pull Apart Thanksgiving Leftover Stuffed Bread

Leftover Turkey Hand Pies

Turkey

Turkey Cobb Sandwiches

Dad’s Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Best Ever Turkey Chili

Turkey Enchiladas Verdes

Mashed Potatoes

Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi 

Crispy Rosemary Potato Cakes 

Leftover Mashed Potato Pizza

Sweet Potato Kale Frittata 

Kale Roasted Sweet Potato Hash 

Stuffing

Leftover Stuffing Waffles

Second Day Fried Stuffing Bites

Cheese

Leftover Cheese Dip 

 

What’s your go-to way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers? Let us know if you try any of these recipes!

The Perfect Wine for Thanksgiving

You’re either going to love or hate the answer to this one. 

What is the perfect wine to pair with my Thanksgiving meal? That’s the question on everyone’s lips this season, and the answer may surprise you. The ultimate Thanksgiving wine for 2024 is: whatever you want it to be. Is this disappointing or relieving? Probably both, and maybe a little upsetting since we really set you up for the Ultimate Grand Answer™ there, huh. We could get into quasi-scientific explanations about tannins and underbelly notes, but the truth of the matter is that wine pairing, and Thanksgiving, is about drinking wine you love with food you love with people you love. You can scour the internet’s most clickbait recommendation lists (like we did) and still come up empty handed. Bloggers that start their entry with “this is my tried and true pairing framework” will end with “my favorite find ignored my own advice completely.” Premier cooking and baking publications whose “budget friendly bottles” start at $50. And out of all of the corners of the internet never seem to list brands available in a 100-mile radius. 

That’s where your friendly local Littleton Food Co-op steps in! We did all the Google searches, all the expert-asking, and all the laborious tasting (labor of love, right?) so you don’t have to. And obviously, everything listed is available at the Littleton Food Co-op. Everyone is welcome to shop here, no membership required! 

General Guidelines 

Unless you’re the world’s top wine connoisseur (in which case, why didn’t you write this article?), your friends and family are likely not coming for Thanksgiving exclusively based on your wine selection. They’re coming for YOU…and maybe the food. So relax! It’s really not that serious. But, if you’d like to choose a wine that is most likely to compliment your meal and satisfy your guests, follow these general rules: 

Avoid a high alcohol content. Even if you don’t like wine, you can agree that a drunken family brawl leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Reducing the likelihood of that possibility is just one of the benefits of a low ABV. In general, lighter alcohol wines better allow all the flavors of a meal to shine through. You don’t want your extended family praising your candied yams and how they tasted “just like Bordeaux,” do you ?

Acidity is a friend. There’s a reason your post-Thanksgiving meal ritual includes unbuttoning your pants – and it’s not just about how much you ate. Typical Thanksgiving foods tend to be very rich, even downtrodden, with butter, cream, and the like. A wine with some acidity will help counterbalance those flavors, but also ensure it doesn’t get masked by the food in your attempt to not do the opposite. Key word is sum – with so many choices and flavors in one meal, it’s best not to go to either extreme in any key profile area. 

O Tannin-baum. Or should we say NO (or low) tannin-baum. Tannins are the compounds in wine that give you that dry-mouth feeling, usually after a deep red. Unless you’re having steak, or want to make a classic-Christmas-song-pun, you don’t need ‘em here. If you’re going for a wine strong in tannins, it needs a strong flavor to match its energy. And as much as you can praise your favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal, none of the bare-bones traditional choices are strong enough in flavor to compete, so don’t make them try.

Red Wines

Domaine des Nugues Beaujolais-Villages

Even though the general descriptions above tend to lead you towards a white, the Beaujolais is a classic holiday pick! Sometimes described as “the only white wine that happens to be red”, Beaujolais Nouveau is made from the Gamay grape and is produced in the south of France. This is a juicy red with aromatic expressions of red fruits, black fruits, and spices in the background. The acidity and crisp aftertaste provide a nice contrast.

 

Rossino Merlot

This Merlot lands softly on the tongue with ripe red berries, but hits the nose with some spicy notes of black pepper. The choice stands out as a well-structured offering that pairs well with rich poultry dishes.

 

 

 

OMEN Rogue Valley Oregon Pinot Noir

An earthy option, but very on-season; a powerful mix of cranberries, crushed marigold flowers, and oregano. Savor this wine over time and you may also uncover raspberry flavors and traces of coffee and bacon. There is a pronounced acidity within the crisp texture and light body, leading to a delicate finishing texture.

 

White Wines

Rossino Chardonnay

Aromatically, this chardonnay is exploding with stone fruits like nectarine and backed up by a citrus backbone. They combine for a fresh feel on the palate and a tropical, yet balanced, flavor. The acidity is also well-balanced.

 

 

Forge Cellars dry Riesling Classique

Forge Cellars, located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, specializes in Bone-Dry Rieslings and this one is no exception. This wine manages to maintain all of a Riesling’s natural flavors while still exploring a depth and complexity with aromas of ripe lemon, green apple, tangerine, and white floral. A bright and long acidic, refreshing finish.

 

 

Bread & Butter Chardonnay Sliced

This is a new low-calorie, low-alcohol take on the classic Bread & Butter favorite. Tropical fruit notes play out on the main stage, but supported with a hint of almond and rich, sweet vanilla. Bright, buttery, and balanced. A great option for any guests concerned about caloric consumption who’d still like to have a refreshing glass.

 

 

And more!

Lamarca Prosecco

Bubbles are a great way to liven up any celebration! And since Thanksgiving is perhaps the holiday with the least amount of built-in sparkles, your tablescape may be making a desperate call for Ma Marca Prosecco. Its palate is delicate, but the liquid still sparkles with lively bubbles and a pale golden color. The aromas of citrus and honeysuckle blossoms combine with notes of green apple, juicy peach, and ripe lemon for a crisp and clean refreshing finish.

 

 

Zorvino Z-Labs Orange Cranberry Wine

A wine that’s also a mixer! To make this wine, local Zorvino Vineyards’ project Z Wine Labs fermented 400 lbs of Cape Cod Cranberries and 30 lbs of fresh oranges together and topped it off with a hint of ginger. These ingredients come together for an aromatic, zippy, and refreshing option. But don’t worry, you won’t make a sour tart face — the moderate levels of residual sugar tame the natural cranberry tartness.

The Bulk Department is staffed by a small but mighty group of Co-op employees. They’re the ones ordering product, stocking the shelves, and doing those mandatory, arduous taste tests of all the new items 😉 Together, they’ve likely logged over 10,000 hours* of packaging mango for you all. Between making new snack and sweet pretzel mixes, refilling those fresh coffee beans, and answering your questions, they found time to give themselves a “group name.” They call themselves The Bulkies. What a bunch of a-dorable people (if you’re a Guardians of the Galaxy fan you get the reference). Anyways, ahead of the big Bulk Sale coming up, they also took a moment to share their personal recommendations. Maybe you’re already familiar with these products, or maybe you’re not. Either way, Bulk-O-Rama is a great opportunity to either try a new product on sale, or stock up on a favorite. Let us know if you share any favorites with any of The Bulkies!

Matt – Department Manager

Matt’s favorite bulk item is the pineapple gummy bears. This is a new product that came to Bulk in summer 2024. And they were an instant hit! Matt likes them because even though they started trending in warm weather, he knows they’ll taste like “a bite of summer” during the cold NH winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexa – Department Assistant Manager

When we asked Alexa what her favorite item to purchase from the Bulk Department was, it was clear we were asking a VERY difficult question. “But I love so many things in Bulk!” she cried. She went up and down every aisle in Bulk trying to make a final decision. Her ultimate choice of Magical Mystery Trail mix should feel so honored that it was picked as the top spot. So what about this trail mix is so great? Alexa is an avid hiker, and she describes the Magical Mystery Trail mix as the perfect hiking mix. It’s packed with protein, but the sweets mixed in are a great little summit reward. “Plus,” she adds, “it’s so aesthetically pleasing to look at.” We agree!

 

 

 

 

 

Peter

Peter’s go-to choice from the Bulk Department is their organic dill cashews. These were another instant classic that gave Everything Bagel Cashews a run for their money when they arrived in early 2024. Of the cashews, Peter says “They’re the perfect balanced snack, combining the buttery cashews and the zest of the dill. A perfect match!” Fun fact: Our Marketing Coordinator first discovered these in the Bulk Department of River Valley Co-op – and then subsequently ate the whole container before leaving the parking lot. She then begged The Bulkies to bring them in, and will never let them forget they were her suggestion.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Mike joined the Bulk Department and quickly grew very fond of the sour power belts. When asked directly what makes the sour power belts so great, he simply said “because they’re awesome.” Okay, fair. But when we pressed further, he also shared that they’re great for all ages, and he has been known to share a bag (or two) with his daughter. But be careful if you buy a bag with the intention of sharing — you might be surprised how quickly sharing turns into “I need these all for myself.” Customers have also appreciated the unique mouth feel the shape of the candy gives as compared to other (re: boring) sour candies.

 

 

 

 

 

Madison

Madison’s favorite bulk item is the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Turbinado Almonds, which might surprise you if you know that she really prefers savory things. But, she says that these are not too sweet. In fact, they might even be labeled “the perfect amount of sweet.” Plus, they don’t have that lacquered smoothness we’ve come to expected from a chocolate covered something. The minimally-processed turbinado sugar on the outside lends to a unique texture that separates these from the rest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire

Bulkie Claire’s favorite product in her department is Grandy Organics’ Dark Chocolate Coconola. For Claire, it’s a granola that she can have with an oat allergy. But more than that, it’s a protein-packed snack with Fair-Trade dark chocolate, coconut chips, seeds, and nuts. With all that, who’s going to miss the oats?

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope you got some shopping list inspiration for things to add to your cart during our big Bulk-O-Rama sale! At the very least, we hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about our Bulkies. Stop in and say hi to them next time you’re in store!

 

 

*Statistic unconfirmed

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15th – October 15th. National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Food is an important component of culture across the world. Learn more about some Hispanic and Latinx-owned brands you can shop at the Littleton Food Co-op:

Local Brands

High Points Bakery/ Bonilla Bread

Co-op customers anxiously await for our weekly deliveries of Bethlehem-based Bonilla Breads. Sweet-tooths will love their quick breads that emerge in a new flavor rotation monthly. But everyone can get behind their Dutch-Oven yeast breads in artisanal flavors like Tomato Basil, Potato Rosemary, Garlic Parmesan, and more. Learn more about Bonilla Bread here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Brands

Siete Foods

The matriarch of the Garza family of seven (siete!) was inspired to create delicious grain-free foods after encountering personal health challenges. Starting with grain-free tortillas, the brand has expanded widely into seasoning packets, beans, and more. Their motto: Family First, Family Second, Business Third.

Fillo’s

Founders Daniel and Antonio Caballero’s memories of childhood meals revolve around sofrito — vegetables, spices, and herbs cooked in olive oil. Not to forget their cultural roots, they decided to “push traditions forward” and dream up inventive takes on Cuban food. Not only have they made beans exciting, Fillo’s is the creator of the “Walking Tamale.” We could describe what that means, but it’s much better if you try one for yourself.

SOMOS

Who doesn’t love Mom’s home cooking? However, when friends Miguel, Rodrigo, and Daniel emigrated to the US, they found the best Mexican food was only accessible through expensive take-out options. They filled their loss, and ours, through SOMOS. To come full circle, their website has a host of recipes ranging from traditional options to Mexican-American fusion. Pro-tip: we love that you can sort the recipes on their website by cooking time!

And more! All available at the Littleton Food Co-op!

Loisa

Melinda’s Hot Sauce

Grain Trust

Chosen Foods

Graza

And more! 

 

* Food brands are known to publicly and privately change ownership as they grow and change. The information presented here was accurate to the best of our research at the time of publication and may no longer be so when you are reading. If you are curious about whether we still carry a product or brand, it is always best to contact the store directly. The Littleton Co-op does not endorse or support the views of any brand mentioned.

Announcing the 2024 Winners of the Member Choice Awards

 

AND THE WINNERS ARE…….

Best Local Produce: Four Corners Farm Strawberries (27%) –> two time winner!

Best Local Bakery Item: Bonilla Bread Dutch-Oven Kalamata Olive Bread (34.1%)

Best Local Deli Prepared Food: Co-op Made Potato Salad (27.4%)

Best Local Pantry Staple Award: White Mountain Apiary Organic Raw Honey (51.2%)

Best Local Meat and Seafood Award: North Country Smokehouse Uncured Applewood Smoked Bacon (44.3%)

Best Local Specialty Cheese Award: Crooked Mile Honey Lavender Spread (31.6%)

Best Local Granola Award: Small Batch Organics Cran Maple Crunch (27.3%)

Best Local Dairy Item Award: Sweet Cow Maple Yogurt (44.4%)

Best Local Frozen Item Award: Crum Bum Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (40%)

Best Local Beverage Award: Champlain Orchards Apple Cider (52.1%)

Best Local Savory Snack Award: Port City Tasty Ranch Dill Pretzels (25.4%)

Best Local Sweet Treat Award: Fuller’s Sugarhouse Maple Candies (30.9%)

Best Local Alcoholic Beverage Award: Schilling Beer Co Alexandr Czech-Style Pilsner (28%)

Best Local Wellness Product: Elmore Mountain Lavender Goat’s Milk Soap (46.4%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for voting, and congratulations to our winning products! Check back in Summer 2025 for a fresh round of nominations and voting.

So how was this decided?

This year’s nominees were chosen by managers and employees of the Littleton Food Co-op. Employees were polled on their favorite local products based on the department they work in. Department managers also gave their input and collectively gave their stamp of approval to the slate of nominees at a group meeting.

Nominees must be classified as a local product at the Littleton Food Co-op (made in NH, VT or within 100 miles of the Co-op, as a general rule). Nominees in each category were chosen based on a number of factors including employee recommendations, previous nominations/wins, sales data, and representation of the scope of each department.

Then, voting was opened up to all Co-op members! Members voted online and in-store from July 17 through July 27, 2024. Members could also write-in their own nominees for each category, as long as they met local qualifications. The results of member votes are those you see above. The power of cooperation!

Want to be part of it all?

Become a member of the Littleton Co-op today!

About the Member Choice Awards

Calling all Littleton Co-op members: it’s time once again to use your voice and share your favorite local foods. We at the Co-op are big fans of local foods and democracy, so we’re teaming them up once again for the Member Choice Awards. The Member Choice Awards is your opportunity to vote on the best (in your opinion) local foods in a variety of categories across the store. It’s like the Golden Globes teamed up with your favorite locally-owned grocery store. Yeah, it’s that big of a deal.