Littleton Food Co-op

a community-owned market

Producer Spotlight: von Trapp Farmstead

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Producer: von Trapp Farmstead

Location: Waitsfield, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: specialty cheeses

Website: vontrappfarmstead.com

Perhaps the first thing you think of when you hear the name von Trapp isn’t cheese, but maybe it should be. Or, at least be the second thing. Werner and Erika von Trapp started von Trapp Family Farm in Vermont in 1959 after immigrating from Austria. Von Trapp Farmstead is now run by Werner and Erika’s grandson, Sebastian, with other von Trapps running other businesses in the area. Growing up, Sebastian didn’t want a future on the farm; but, after a tenure in software, he found himself called back home. Werner and Erika farmed in a way we would now consider regenerative agriculture – no-till soil management, crop rotations, no chemical fertilizers, etc. – and the same practices have been continued to this day. In addition to creating a quality cheese product, Sebastian emphasizes that their regenerative agriculture practices primarily stem from a love of the land. He says “When you love something you want to tend to it. You don’t make it unsafe, you don’t poison it, you don’t turn a blind eye, or walk away when a challenge arises. Our connection to the land, the cows, the milk, the cheese and the people, make it impossible to exploit any part of the system. Since we live here on this land and we rely on these beautiful animals for our livelihood and the livelihood of our team, since we are nourished by the milk, cheese, yogurt, and meats… for these reasons, taking care of all the parts of the farm is non-negotiable.” Now, von Trapp produces four cheese styles – all of which have won numerous national and international cheese awards. 

Similar to the lasting legacy of the von Trapp family, the family pushes for Vermont’s cheesemaking industry to continue by hosting a yearly apprentice on site to learn about cheese making and food systems through the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund. 

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.

Producer Spotlight: Joe’s Brook Farm

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Producer: Joe’s Brook Farm

Location: Barnet, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Organic produce

Website: joesbrookfarm.com

For Eric and Mary Skovsted, the desire to farm and tend to the Vermont land was an inescapable pull they initially resisted. After meeting in college, the pair tried on different vocations and locations before returning to Mary’s hometown of Barnet, VT. The anchor to their dreams and eventual farm came in the form of a beaten up farmhouse alongside Joe’s Brook. The farm was originally just one tomato greenhouse and an oversized home garden, but within four years they acquired land along the Passumpsic River to expand growing land to total 17 acres. In 2022, that land allowed for growing over 130 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and berries.  Joe’s Brook Farm also expanded to employ year round and seasonal employees, including Eric and Mary’s daughters, Anna and Harriet, who can frequently be seen checking out customers at the Farmers’ Markets. However, the goal isn’t to continue buying land and increasing production. Instead, “It is a balancing act aimed at conserving our soil, maintaining a quality of life for ourselves and employees, and ensuring the farms financial viability, all while keeping the food we grow affordable and available to as many people as possible.” 

Unfortunately, Joe’s Brook Farm was a victim of flooding in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom in 2023 and 2024, both incidents resulting in over 90% crop loss. In 2025, they published a highly regarded series of resiliency strategies to arm against future climate change events. It includes adjustment to growing techniques, an emergency harvest plan, and how to supplement income to pay employees in the case of crop loss. In true farmer fashion, Eric and Mary also couldn’t help but look forward to future seasons and the increased soil nutrients the flooding provided, ultimately gleaning rays of hope from a devastating situation. 

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.

Producer Spotlight: Small Axe Farm

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Producer: Small Axe Farm

Location: Barnet, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Organic produce

Website: smallaxefarm.com

Small Axe Farm could be called the antithesis of big corporate farming not just because of their local farm status; their grounded, small-scale community approach reaches throughout their operations, philosophies, and even the farm design itself. Farm owners Heidi Choate and Evan Perkins own 45 acres of land, but conscientiously decided to only farm on one acre. Not only is that number far below the average farm acreage, but their chosen acre sits on a steep hill. The rest of their land remains forested and wild. Both decisions reflect their desire to work with the land, rather than tear against it. It also led to Small Axe being an off-grid, no-till farm and house. No till farming is a strategy to limit soil erosion, capture carbon in the soil to mitigate climate change, use less soil inputs, and use less petroleum-powered farm equipment. Evan, Heidi, and their crew have optimized their operations so that their small growing area doesn’t further limit their production. According to Perkins, they prioritize growing “high rotation crops,” and are able to turn over and replant a garden bed within one hour. 

While farming is their primary occupation, Heidi and Evan make sure to model for their son, Rowan, their employees, and other farmers that it doesn’t have to be all-consuming. In the winter you will often find the family on a lake in Vermont wild ice skating. Coverage of their balanced farm and active life has amassed Small Axe Farm a substantial social media following and coverage in Seven Days Vermont.

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.

The Radish Spring & Summer 2020 — Available Now!

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The Radish • Spring & Summer 2020

Cover by our very own Annie Stuart!

What’s a Radish? It’s a root vegetable and our Biannual Newsletter!

My fellow Cooperators,

As every advertisement that fills our screens and airwaves can’t help but tell us (repeatedly and at every opportunity) — we’re living in an unprecedented time. I hope you, your family, and your friends are now — and remain — safe, happy, and healthy. If you’ll indulge me, though, I’d like to change the subject for a moment:

Twice a year the Littleton Food Co-op produces a printed newsletter we affectionately refer to as The Radish — named for our logo which is also a root vegetable and which also happens to be a radish. When the COVID-19 crisis derailed a lot of our day-to-day we took a hard look at our marketing schedule — said “heck it” — and barrelled ahead. In our opinion, you — the good people of the Cooperative — deserve your Littleton Food Co-op news on time with bells on. So we did what we do and we made it happen!

You can grab yourself a copy of The Radish on your next quest to the Co-op, or you can check it out online now by *clicking here*

This time around we have:

• An Update on Current Goings-on from our Photographoperations Manager, Chris Whiton.
• We heard you like houseplants.
• I can’t fully explain this piece without ruining it — but it could be the Greatest Pokémon/Dr. Seuss Crossover of all time.
• The Monthly and Full totals on this year’s Partner of the Month (Y.T.D. 2020)
• Meet the Candidates 2020!
• Your nice words printed in our nice newsletter.
• Some new herb, spice, and seasoning recommendations to get your creative culinary juices flowing.
• Although this author would gladly advocate for the abolition of asparagus (were he asked, of course), we do have a really great write-up on the serendipitous time that is Asparagus Season — or, as I like to call it — Spring.
• My office has received information that we are also featuring three Asparagus recipes that — people who willingly consume Asparagus have advised me — are pretty easy and very delicious.

Many thanks to all of our contributors this issue including Chris Whiton, Becky Colpitts, Melissa Bridges, Customers and Members Like You, and Annie Stuart!

The Mystical Radish of Space and Time

I’d also like to take a moment to thank Sherwin Dodge Printers (Littleton, N.H.) for being the rockstars they are and printing the Radish for us in the middle of an international health crisis. We couldn’t have done it without them — be sure to give them a buzz should you need something printed.

That’s all folks! Stay safe, eat local, and Read the Radish!

Cooperatively Yours,
Jessy S.
Certified and Licensed Radish Hype Man









Upcoming Events

 

Meet and Greet the Artist: Dylan Young

Meet and Greet the Artist: Dylan Young

Come meet the July/Aug featured Co-op Gallery Artist Dylan Young in an intimate reception on Saturday, August 22nd from 1-3PM
Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day is on the 5th!
Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day is on the 5th!

View more events here!

 

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