Littleton Food Co-op

a community-owned market

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Open Daily 7am - 8pm
Meat Counter: 7am - 7pm
Deli: Sun - Thu 7am - 6pm / Fri & Sat 7am - 7pm

Impress Your Guests with Four of the Coolest Spots Around

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We love when family and visitors come to the North Country of New Hampshire! Sometimes, our area gets a bad rap when folks assume our distance from major metropolitan areas means there’s nothing to do. Not only is there plenty to do in the Littleton area, there are certified (by us) cool things to do. These are hidden gems that will help show your visitors the vibrancy that lays in our small town. These are great stops if you want to impress any tween/teen/young adults, but all can be family-friendly. And hey — what’s cooler than a grocery store owned by thousands of community members? Make sure to stop by the Littleton Co-op before you go exploring for some adventure fuel and some well wishes.

Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga is a unique retailer in downtown Littleton that’s perfect for those with eclectic style. They are officially dedicated to “the woods and the weird,” but everyone can appreciate their artfully designed store and POV in capturing the North Country’s beauty. Full of things you won’t find anywhere else!

Super Secret Ice Cream

Ice cream so nice it’s worth mentioning twice! While this booming Bethlehem shop also graces our “Cultural Classics” list, Super Secret Ice Cream also makes this list for it’s superior dessert quality and fun interior space. Owner Kristina Zontini is a twice James Beard Award nominee who’s dedicated to hand-packed ice cream with local ingredients and “no weird stuff.” The shop also provides a great place to recoup after the holidays in a warm, comforting environment decorate with bold colors and any ice cream-related decor you could imagine.

Little City Thrift Store

The holiday season is not typically the time of year we have extra cash to throw around on new clothes and wares. Lucky for Littleton, tucked behind classic Main Street is Little City Thrift Store. Don’t let the small square footage fool you; this shop is chock full of treasures and fun finds. It’s a great place to pop by for a minute or dedicate a couple of hours to for the thrill of the hunt.

The Loading Dock

The name doesn’t lie: this non-profit performing arts venue tucked behind Littleton’s Main Street is a converted loading dock. Except now, instead of receiving goods, visitors to the Loading Dock get to experience up-and-coming talent from near and far in an intimate yet professional venue. Tickets are always reasonably priced and guarantee a great night out.

Stress-Free Holiday Shopping from Your Local Co-op

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The 2025 Littleton Co-op Gift Guide is here!

Yes, we sell more than food! But also yes, food makes a great holiday gift! Gifting from the Co-op might require going outside of your comfort zone (and your regular grocery list), so we put together some easily giftable ideas that are bound to fit someone on your list. The best part may be that they’re all available at the Littleton Co-op 🎄 One stop local shop!

Gifts for the Host with the Most graphic. Text list below.
Gifts for the Sustainable Queen or King graphic. Text list below.
Gifts for the Trend Reporters graphic. Text list below
Gifts for the Coffee Worshiper. Text list below.
Gifts for the New Hampshire at Heart. Text list below.
Gifts for the "Ramen Every Meal" type graphic. Text list below.
Gifts for the Thrill-Seeker graphic. Text list below.
Gifts for the Vermont to the Core graphic. Text list below.

Gifts for the Host with the Most

1. Wozz! Kitchen Creations spread 2. Fuller’s Sugarhouse maple cream 3. Vermont Bakery Douglas Sweets cookies 4. Terra Farm curry cashews 5. Woodstock Inn Brewery root beer

Gifts for the Sustainable Queen or King

1. Klean Kanteen water bottle 2. Humble Plastic Free deodorant stick 3. Ingredients Matter laundry soap 4. Bees Wrap food wraps 5. Eco Bags reusable produce or bulk bags

Gifts for the Trend-Reporter

1. Mike’s Hot Honey squeeze bottle 2. Fishwide tinned fish 3. Terra pom pom keychain 4. Leonessa Dubai chocolate cones 5. Jade Leaf Ceremonial grade matcha

Gifts for the Coffee Worshiper

1. Jenna’s Promise Roasting Co. coffee 2. Effie’s Biscuits 3. Nut Pods creamer 4. Chocolate covered espresso coffee beans 5. Brach’s peppermint stir sticks

Gifts for the NH at Heart

1. White Mountain Images calendar 2. White Mountain Apiary holiday honey 3. Mount Cabot Maple Organic maple syrup 4. Polly’s Pancake Parlor pancake mix 5. Port City Pretzels savory pretzels

Gifts for the “Ramen Every Meal”

1. Mr. Bing chili crisp 2. Ocean’s Halo Ramen Broth 3. Immi Veggie Topping Mix 4. Ocean’s Balance Organic whole leaf dulse 5. Momofuku noodles

Gifts for the Thrill-Seeker

1. Angry Goat Pepper Co. hot sauce 2. Gopal’s energy bars 3. Chunks of Energy Bulk snacks 4. Hurry Slow Hat Co. beanie 5. Vermont Smoke & Cure meat sticks

Gifts for the Thrill-Seeker

1. Back Home Bakery granola 2. King Arthur Baking Co. mix kit 3. Lake Champlain Chocolates nonpareils 4. Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind maple sriracha 5. NEK Grains wheat berries

Holiday Hotlines to Save you from your Kitchen Disaster

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The holidays can be stressful and bring up new questions in the kitchen you didn’t know you have. There are pros out there that live for this time of year — and they offer great resources to help you achieve success, too. Click on each resource name to explore more.

Meat and Eggs

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline

Call or email for information about the safe storage, handling, and preparation of meat, poultry, and egg products.

Jennie-O’s Turkey Hotline

Call number for turkey support from one of the most well-known turkey brands. Available 24/7 for the month of November.

Butterball Turkey Talk-Line

Call, text, or online live chat with an expert from Butterball turkey brand. Hours vary from Nov. 3rd through Dec. 24th.

Purdue Chicken How Tos

Online library of chicken food safety, prepping, cooking, and finishing articles and videos.

Sweets and Baking

King Arthur Baking Company Hotline

Call, email, or chat online with professional bakers about any baking challenge. Available year-round Monday through Friday 10AM – 6PM ET. Recorded food safety messages available 24 hours a day.

Ask Betty

Online catalog of hundreds of questions and answers from Betty Crocker. You can enter a question in the chat box to find a similar question that has been asked over the years, browse questions and answers by subject, or just browse them all!

Fleischmann’s Yeast Knead to Know

A web page that includes a unit converter, “yeast 101,” tips and tricks, and a list of common baking problems and solutions — for conventional ovens and bread machines!

Baking at Home

Collection of videos that demonstrate baking techniques you may not be familiar with, including tempering eggs, assembling a piping bag, and making a lattice pie crust.

More Resources

Land O Lakes Kitchen Reference

A web page with a list of ingredients and their substitutions, a kitchen glossary, measurements and abbreviations, and more.

Beaujolais: ‘Tis the Season!

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Written by John Kroeger, all-around Littleton Co-op employee

Beaujolais Nouveau 2025

Tis the season for our wine connoisseurs. It is the season for BEAUJOLAIS. 

Les Beaujolais Nouveaux has an interesting story. Dating back to the 1800’s, it was the wine to celebrate the end of the harvest in France. 

In the early 1900’s, the French authorities decided not to release the wine before December 15th; but that later changed to November 15th in the 1950’s. By 1985, thel ‘Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO)– the French organization that regulates French agricultural products with protected designations of origins– declared the release date as the third Thursday in November, to consumers globally. 

Beaujolais was first exported to New York City, in 1972. 

In the Beaujolais region in eastern France, the wine is made from 100% Gamay grapes. Gamay is a red grape, famous for its light and fruity body. 

Domaine des Nugues Beaujolais is a 4th generation small family-owned winery managed by the husband and wife team of Gilles and Magali Gelin. They produce less than ten thousand cases per year of all their wines. 

We, at the Coop are happy to carry Les Beaujolais Nouveau Wine during this Holiday Season. The 2025 Beaujolais Villages Nouveau will be at the Co-op on Friday, November 21st, and on sale through November 26th. Cheers!!

You Won’t Regret These Five Cheese Recommendations

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by Travis Brenchi, Littleton Co-op Cheesemonger

Cheese season never really ends around here. But when the air turns crisp and cozy foods start calling, the Specialty Cheese Counter becomes a gravitational force. We find ourselves craving that perfect creamy wedge, the one that turns a simple snack into an event, and an event into an unforgettable moment.

Whether you’re restocking your cheese drawer or plotting your holiday party board, these are the cheeses you don’t want to leave behind. Consider stopping by and checking out these recommendations from near and far:

Fromager d’Affinois – France

Fromager d’Affinois, is a crowd-pleaser for good reason — it’s as if Brie took a spa day and came back silkier, richer, and even more irresistible. This double-cream beauty owes its impossibly smooth texture to ultra-filtration, a process that gently removes water from the milk before cheesemaking, concentrating the good stuff: butterfat, flavor, and all that luscious creaminess.

The result is a rind that gives just enough resistance before melting into a buttery interior that coats the palate like velvet. It’s elegant but never fussy, approachable yet refined — perfect for novices learning the language of cheese and experts looking for a familiar friend.

Try it on Effie’s Oatcakes or with a dollop of tart cherry jam (both found in the Specialty Foods Department) for a sweet-salty balance that’s pure poetry.

Withersbrook Blue – Jasper Hill Farm, Vermont

If you’ve ever hesitated at the sight of blue veining, this is the cheese that will win you over. Withersbrook Blue from Jasper Hill Farm is a small-batch Vermont marvel — creamy, balanced, and washed in Eden Ice Cider, which infuses it with delicate apple and floral notes.

The cider wash gives it a fruity lift that softens its tang and leaves a lingering sweetness on the finish. Think orchard air meets buttery, mineral-tinged richness. It’s the cheese equivalent of a wool sweater — cozy, layered, and distinctly New England.

Serve Withersbrook Blue with Firehook Sea Salt Crackers from our Specialty Foods shelves and a glass of Eden Ice Cider, and you’ll understand why locals are fiercely proud of what Jasper Hill does.

Barber’s 1833 Vintage Reserve Cheddar – England

For those who love cheddar but crave something deeper, Barber’s 1833 Vintage Reserve is a masterclass in balance. Made by the Barber family in Somerset — the world’s oldest cheddar-making family, by the way — this cheese is aged for two full years to develop a complex flavor that’s both savory and subtly sweet.

The texture is firm yet crumbly, with tiny, satisfying crystals that form during long aging. It’s sharp, mature, and full of character without veering into harshness. In other words, it’s a cheddar that knows exactly who it is.

Pair it with crisp apple slices or a spoonful of ale mustard, and you’ve got a snack that’s simple but sophisticated.

Oma – Von Trapp Family Farmstead, Vermont

From the hills of Waitsfield, VT comes Oma, a washed-rind wonder from the Von Trapp Family Farmstead (yes, those Von Trapps — and they really can make cheese sing). This semi-soft, alpine-style cheese bridges the gap between approachable and adventurous. Beneath its orange-hued rind, you’ll find a supple, buttery paste that gives off a gentle aroma — think toasted nuts, broth, and a hint of earthiness.

It’s a little funky on the outside, all warmth on the inside. Its savory depth pairs beautifully with our refrigerated olives found in the Specialty Foods Department.

For those who think they “don’t like stinky cheese,” Oma is the gentle introduction that changes minds.

Parmigiano Reggiano – Italy

No cheese board — or pasta night — is complete without the “King of Cheese.” Parmigiano Reggiano earns its crown honestly. Aged for a minimum of 24 months, it’s dense with tyrosine crystals (those delightful crunchy bits) and packed with umami depth. Break off a shard, and you’ll taste notes of toasted nuts, browned butter, and hay fields under the Italian sun.

It’s as versatile as it is delicious: shave it over risotto, crumble it onto roasted vegetables, or snack on it straight. And for the chefs among us — we also sell Parmigiano rinds at the cheese counter. Drop one into soup or stock and watch your kitchen transform. Waste not, flavor more

More Than Just Cheese

Of course, a great cheese deserves worthy companions. During our Flash Sale on November 19th, you’ll find 20% off all specialty cheeses and accompaniments in our Specialty Foods Department — that means Effie’s Biscuits, Firehook Crackers, and select artisanal jams, spreads, refrigerated olives and more are all part of the celebration. These are the good ones — the pairings that make your cheese board sing.

From buttery Fromager d’Affinois to bold Vermont blues and nutty Parmigiano, this is your moment to stock up, snack boldly, and maybe discover a new favorite wheel.

Wine for Community

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written by John Kroeger, all-around Littleton Co-op employee

Food for Thought is a new online space by the Littleton Food Co-op for Co-op staff, members, and partners to publish musings & reflections on what they care about.

Have you ever heard of La Riojana? La Riojana is Argentina’s largest wine cooperative, with a family of 500 dedicated growers. It’s also the third largest wine exporter (by volume) in Argentina. La Riojana has an annual production of close to 450 million litres a year. 

The history of La Riojana goes back to the 1940s. Ancestors from Italy were wine growers. When they first came to La Rioja in North Argentina, they decided to come together to make wine. 

Starting out as a small bodega (store), they bought grapes to turn to wine. Over time, the families finally started planting their own grapes. From then on La Riojana grew and grew. 

La Riojana is a co-op that not only produces wine, but also produces organic and Fairtrade-certified olive oil. The olives are hand picked and cold-pressed to preserve their natural flavors and nutrients. It’s a high quality product!

I think the best part of La Riojana is that they give back to their community. They help provide clean running water, construction of schools, and health centres to improve quality of life for the surrounding areas. 

Littleton Co-op is very happy to have La Riojana onboard and support this wonderful coop in Argentina!

“At La Riojana Cooperative, every wine tells a story of community, sustainability, and fair work.

From our high-altitude vineyards, we craft Fairtrade wines that share with the world the authentic taste of La Rioja, and the dedication of the people who make it possible.” (La Riojana)

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Littleton Food Co-op.

You Save, We Give with Field Day Products

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All 300+ Field Day products are on sale at the Littleton Co-op from November 5th through December 2nd! Plus, every purchase is a donation to Native foodways.

November is a time when we all like to come together around the table with good food and good people. However, the stressors of inflation, potential program cuts, and cultural misgivings can make these holiday themes easier said than done. To help bridge the gap between quality healthy food and all Littleton area community members, the Littleton Co-op is proud to once again offer major sales on all Field Day products from November 5th through December 2nd.

 Since we’re not a national chain, we don’t have a private label brand. What we do have is Field Day: a full line of pantry staples, paper goods, cleaners, and more that offer good quality at a great value. Field Day has many organic offerings, and most of their products are natural and non-GMO. From olive oil to garbanzo beans, paper towels to pretzels, and tuna to garlic powder — all 300+ items are on sale at the Littleton Co-op! This is a great time to stock up on everyday items or restock seasonal items like all-purpose flour and canned pumpkin.

In addition to the great savings for our shoppers, there’s another important part of this Field Day sale. For every Field Day item sold at Littleton Co-op, National Cooperative Grocers (NCG) will donate $0.05 to North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS). NATIFS (sounds like “Natives”) was founded by James Beard award winner The Sioux Chef, and is dedicated to addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways. The organization imagines a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises. NATIFS works to cultivate the seeds of Indigenous heritage, nourish our people, and honor the land that sustains us. Their vision is to rekindle and empower Indigenous food sovereignty through a thriving network of regional hubs that celebrate and elevate Indigenous culinary
traditions. With a deep commitment to healing, cultural reconnection, and economic empowerment, NATIFS envisions a future where every tribal community across the nation reclaims its food heritage, fosters sustainable local economies, and nurtures the overall wellbeing of its people.

So not only are you saving money through Field Day, you’re supporting a great cause, too!

New Hampshire’s Indigenous Past & Present

The Littleton Food Co-op operates on N’dakinna, which is the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki Peoples past and present. We acknowledge and honor with gratitude the land and waterways and the alnobak (people) who have stewarded N’dakinna throughout the generations.

Find out where you’re standing here.

What plants are native to our area?

More plants are native to the Northeast, including Wood Sorrel, Shagbark Hickory, Seaweed, Beach Pea, Jerusalem Artichokes, and Sweet Fern.

Food Access

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Intro | Show Up | Donate | Get Help

Let’s chat about food access in Littleton and the North Country and how you can show up.

At Littleton Food Co-op, we understand that many of our shoppers and community members are affected by the federal government funding pause, which has led to a lack of funding for SNAP benefits and other assistance programs. For those who rely on these programs to access groceries, even a short disruption can mean difficult choices about food, bills, and other essentials.

This affects not only our shoppers but also our staff. Food insecurity is a shared reality across our communities—and some of the people who make the Littleton Co-op run every day are also navigating the same challenges. We can show care through our actions toward each other by being understanding, patient, and connected. A little patience and kindness can go a long way.

Here’s the Plan: Show Up

Here are ways that you can show up for yourself and your community:

Donate money, food, and time, if you are able;
Utilize food access resources and programs if you need them;
Share this information to educate others in our area.

Donate: Help Your Neighbors in Need

Support our Healthy Food Access Program
Donate online! The Littleton Co-op Healthy Food Access Program (HFA) is a store-funded discount program that makes healthy food more accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of income. Littleton Food Co-op members who are currently recipients of SNAP, SSI, or other supplemental assistance are eligible to apply for this program; approved members receive 10% off all eligible purchases every day. Need help affording groceries? Learn more about HFA and get an application here.

Our November Partners of the Month: Local Food Pantries
Round up at the register! As we have done for many years, the Littleton Co-op’s Partner of the Month for November is the area food pantries. 100% of small change round-ups and donations at the Co-op will go directly to these food pantries.

Food Drive
Donate food! During the federal funding pause, we will be increasing our food collection efforts, and we invite you to join us. Please consider bringing unopened, unexpired, non-perishable goods to our collection bin in the Co-op exit foyer, or buying a few extra things when you shop. These donations will go to local pantries along with our other food donations.

Feed A Family Fundraiser
Buy a box of food for a neighbor in need! Now in its fourth year, the Co-op is raising funds to distribute Thanksgiving meal boxes to local food pantries. Shoppers can purchase $10 coupons at any register; each coupon pays for a box of Thanksgiving sides for one family. Our goal is 700 boxes by Nov. 15th.

Utilize: Food Access Resources for Everyone

Healthy Food Access Program
Need help affording groceries? The Littleton Co-op Healthy Food Access Program (HFA) is a store-funded discount program that makes healthy food more accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of income. Littleton Food Co-op members who are currently recipients of SNAP, SSI, or other supplemental assistance are eligible to apply for this program; approved members receive 10% off all eligible purchases every day. Learn more about HFA and get an application here.

Food Pantries
Need a helping hand? Below is a list of food pantries, support services, and community dinners that are helping in our community.

All Saints Food Cupboard
35 School St., Littleton
Tuesdays, Thursdays – 9 am – 10 am
Sundays – 9 am – 9:45 am
Food cupboard best accessed from Littleton Community Center parking lot at 120 Main St., Littleton
In case of food emergency, please contact – 603-444-3414

Little Free Pantry
189 Main St., Littleton
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Littleton Food Pantry
70 Redington St., Littleton
Open Mondays – 4:30 – 6:30 pm; Tuesdays & Wednesdays – 10 am – 1 pm;
Saturdays – 10 – 11 am
In case of food emergency, please contact 954-604-9462

Littleton Area Mutual Aid
16 Pleasant St, Littleton, NH
Free store Sundays 2 pm- 3 pm

Bethlehem Food Pantry
2155 Main St., Bethlehem (In Town Hall)
Open: Mondays & Thursdays @ 2 – 3 pm; Tuesdays – 10 am – 12 pm
In case of food emergency, please contact 603-869-3351, ext. 103

Bethlehem Little Free Pantry
2155 Main St., Bethlehem (Behind Town Hall)
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Please park in the Town office lot, or the parking lot for the swimming pool

Good Neighbor Food Pantry
44 Church Street, Franconia
Open: Tuesdays @ 11 am – 12 pm
In case of a food emergency, please contact 603-991-6017

White Horse Recovery
669 Union St, Littleton, NH 03561
Open Monday – Friday – 9 am – 5 pm
In case of food emergency, please contact 603-444-1300

White Mountain Community College – Student food pantry
646 Union St # 300, Littleton, NH 03561 and
2020 Riverside Dr, Berlin, NH 03570

Whitefield Christian Church Free Pantry
3 School Street, Whitefield (at Whitefield Christian Church)
Open: Thursdays @ 3:30 – 5:00 pm
In case of a food emergency, please contact 603-837-8849 or 270-252-6106

Please Share!

The best thing you can do is show up for yourself and for your community! We hope that people find the information on this page useful, whether they want to find a way to help or are looking for resources. Please feel free to grab the link to this page and share it on social media, or wherever you think it might be helpful.

www.littletoncoop.com/showup

And remember – be kind. Life can be tough right now. Let’s cooperate to make it a little easier for everyone.

Reflecting on Lost Nation Orchard

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written by Kevin Winters, Littleton Co-op Manager on Duty

Food for Thought is a new online space by the Littleton Food Co-op for Co-op staff, members, and partners to publish musings & reflections on what they care about.

Did you know the world’s most influential organic apple orchard is right here in the North Country?  Lost Nation Orchard is about 25 miles north of the Co-op in the Lost Nation section of the town of Northumberland, NH.  Home to Nancy, Gracie, and the late Michael Phillips, this small, local, family run holistic orchard produces the most delicious apples you will ever taste.  To quote Dave Chapman, co-director of the Real Organic Project, and founder of the Vermont Organic Farmers organization, “Michael Phillips was the patron saint of organic orcharding.”  Michael started Lost Nation Orchard almost 40 years ago at a time when everyone said it was impossible to grow apples organically.  In fact, many people still say it is impossible to grow organic apples if you’re in New England.  Michael has clearly proven all the naysayers wrong.  Over the decades he became the most influential organic apple grower in the world.  He grew over 120 different varieties of apples, both ancient heirlooms, and brand new experimental varieties.  He wrote three seminal books on organic apple growing, which are widely considered to be classics, and a must read for any organic orchardist.  He traveled far and wide lecturing, consulting, and giving workshops on how to grow organic apples.  Also, Michael was the founder of the Holistic Orchard Network which has over 2,500 members from at least 7 countries.  Countless prospective and experienced apple growers made the pilgrimage to his orchard to attend his workshops and learn from the master. Just bite into one of his apples, and experience an intense wave of complex, juicy flavors, which will radically alter your perception of what an apple can be.

Michael was also a wonderful human being.  He was larger than life, and yet kind and gentle, with a down to earth, easy going personality, which made you feel right at home.  Despite almost always being the most knowledgeable person in the room Michael was the best listener I’ve ever met.  He would sit quietly listening, observing, and learning from those who had come to learn from him.  An inquisitive mind of the highest order.  I was blessed to know Michael for a dozen years or so, and have incredibly fond memories of visiting the orchard as many times as I could during apple season.  For a food lover like myself there was nothing better than spending time with Michael in his apple barn as he excitedly danced about endless baskets filled with a kaleidoscopic variety of apples saying, “You absolutely must try this one, it’s an experimental variety developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1990’s , it has explosive flavors of citrus and PINEAPPLE.  Yes, Pineapple!!  And then there is this one here, and oh don’t miss out on this one, and make sure you try this old timey New England variety that has notes of bourbon, vanilla, and burnt sugar.”  And on, and on it would go.  What a blessing it was experiencing a true master of his craft spreading the joy created by the fruits of his labor.

And Michael was a family man.  He met the love of his life, Nancy, when they both worked for a group foster home for abused and neglected children.  The goal of the program was to offer the children natural foods, lots of time in nature, and a stable environment.  They walked through this green world together for 37 remarkable years.  Their daughter Gracie was the apple of his eye, and whenever he mentioned her, which was often, a visible twinkle could be seen radiating from his eyes.  Like so many immensely talented people it seemed The Creator had important work for Michael in the Great Mystery that lies ahead of us all.  He was called to that work in late February of 2022.  Luckily for all of us, Gracie has decided to move back home and take over management of the orchard, thus continuing her father’s immensely important legacy.  Gracie and Nancy are working extremely hard to continue this truly unique North Country family farm, and for the first time ever, Lost Nation Apples are available at the Littleton Food Co-op during apple season!!   

And a word about spots.  You’ll notice some spots on these apples, which is totally normal as all apples grown organically in New England, or any other temperate climate, will have spots.  Most organic apples you see are grown in the dry, continental climate of eastern Washington state where it almost never rains.  These spots have no flavor and do not affect the quality of the fruit at all.  The only way to eliminate them in New England is to use chemical sprays.  As Joni Mitchell famously sang, “Hey farmer farmer, Put away that DDT now, Give me spots on my apples, But leave me the birds and the bees, Please!” 

We only become wise when we recognize that we need to emulate nature in our agricultural systems and in how we care for this planet.” – Michael Phillips

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Littleton Food Co-op.

Littleton Food Co-op Welcomes Learner Limbach As Their New General Manager

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After more than sixteen years of incredible growth and cooperative success, the Co-op’s current General Manager, Ed King, plans on retiring at the end of this year. Shortly after he announced his departure, the Co-op’s Board of Directors formed a committee to begin the process of hiring a new leader for the Cooperative. They enlisted the help of an executive recruiter and an HR professional consultant, and over the past few months have vetted and interviewed many highly qualified candidates from all over the country.

After much deliberation, the Littleton Food Co-op Board of Directors is thrilled to announce that they have selected Learner Limbach to be the Co-op’s new General Manager. Learner Limbach offers over 12 years of experience in cooperative management. He is a fourth-generation cooperative leader and an accomplished expert in cooperative development, sustainable food systems, and community-based economic transformation.

As Co-Founder and Chief Cooperative Officer of Orcas Food Co-op in Eastsound, WA, Learner spearheaded the successful launch of the consumer-owned grocery store in 2014. Under his leadership, the co-op has grown into a $5.7 million business with more than 50% of Orcas Island residents as members. Learner was able to open a thriving second location for Orcas Food Co-op and has built a cooperative wholesale division—Provisions Co-op Wholesale—projected to reach $1 million in sales by the end of 2025.

Learner’s expertise extends beyond operations into strategic governance, organizational culture, and policy advocacy. He has played a significant role in shaping food policy and systems development at the county, regional, and national levels and looks to continue this work as the next General Manager of the Co-op.

During the interview process,  Learner shared a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm about leading the Co-op forward: “I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity. It’s clear that the Littleton Co-op has been stewarded well over the years and is poised for continued success. Everyone I have met has been great and very welcoming. I look forward to helping lead the Co-op into the next chapter, as well as learning more about the area and connecting with the Littleton community.” He has also said that he sees many similarities between Littleton Co-op and Orcas Food Co-op; he’s very interested in small-town life and in integrating himself into the Littleton community, and would also welcome the opportunity to be an active member of the regional cooperative work already underway in New England.

Deborah Rossetti-Sullivan, President of Littleton Co-op’s Board of Directors and head of the General Manager search committee, stated, “Learner is a hardworking visionary and a passionate, engaged, and well-respected leader in the cooperative world. He will bring years of knowledge, success, and dedication to our Co-op’s future.”

About The Littleton Food Cooperative

The Littleton Co-op is a member-owned grocery store featuring local produce, hot prepared foods, deli, bulk foods, craft beer, wine, and a quality grocery selection. The Co-op strives to serve the North Country of New Hampshire and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont by offering a broad range of high-quality food products at fair prices, accompanied by outstanding service.

The Co-op exists to serve its members. While membership is not required to shop at our store, our member-owners help govern the Co-op by electing our Board of Directors each year. Our Members also help us maintain the Co-op’s mission of supporting local growers and producers, promoting healthy choices, and advocating for environmental sustainability.

Littleton Co-op’s Mission is to provide a community-owned marketplace that supports local and promotes healthy choices for people and planet. The Co-op’s Vision is to be a catalyst for cultivating a vibrant community and regional economy.

Further press and media inquiries: please direct to ma*******@***********op.org.









Upcoming Events

 

Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day is on the 5th!
Littleton Food Co-op Board Meeting

Littleton Food Co-op Board Meeting

Join us each month for our upcoming board meetings on Zoom or in person.
Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day is on the 5th!

View more events here!

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Every Thursday we release The Weekly Radish, our Co-op newsletter. This contains our latest specials, coupons, member updates, fun articles, recipes, community news, and more. Get it right in your inbox each week! We promise to never share your info, and we will never spam you.

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