Littleton Food Co-op

a community-owned market

March is NH Maple Month

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While we love NH and New England’s luscious maple syrup year round at the Littleton Food Co-op, March is celebrated statewide as NH Maple Month. So, we take this as an opportunity to dive a bit deeper into everyone’s favorite pancake topping.

Why is NH Maple Month in March?

While us as people might not relish the fluctuating day-to-night temperatures this time of brings to NH, it’s the ideal circumstances for maple syrup production. In order for sap, a golden liquid that is used to create maple syrup, to flow from sugar maple trees, the days need to be warm and the nights need to be cool. These ideal sugaring conditions last around six weeks, but climate change has affected the timeframe and conditions needed for successfully sugaring.

What is NH Maple Month?

To celebrate the important contributions maple syrup and its stewards have on the regional economy, agriculture, and history, NH Maple Month is a time of local and statewide celebrations around the golden liquid. The New Hampshire Maple Producers Association has united maple producers across the state to “celebrate the craft of turning sap into something extraordinary” since 1943. They also have a member directory of maple sugar producers across NH who offer programming during March and during Maple Weekend, including The Rocks right down the road from the Co-op in Bethlehem.

What maple products can I find at the Littleton Food Co-op?

While our product line-up is always changing, we always love to support our local maple producers! We often have:

  • Grade A maple syrup (sizes from 3.4 fl oz – 64 fl oz)
  • Maple candies
  • Maple sugar
  • Maple spread
  • Maple-flavored beers
  • Maple popcorn
Mount Cabot Maple. Lancaster, NH
Ben's Sugar Shack. Temple, NH
Fuller's Sugar House. Lancaster, NH.
NH Made Maple Syrup. New Hampshire.
McClure's of New England. Littleton, NH.
Tucker Mountain Maple. Westford, VT.

Check out NH Maple Month Recipes

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: Back Roads Granola

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Producer: Back Roads Granola

Location: Brattleboro, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Bulk granola

Website: backroadsgranola.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.

Back Roads Granola started with an idea…that barely had anything to do with granola. Virginia and Peter Vogel opened a bed & breakfast in Vermont (down a “back road”), and then decided that their breakfast needed some homemade granola. Once guests had a taste of their creations, they let the Vogels know they had to sell their granola so more people could experience what was then a back road secret. Back Roads Granola became a dedicated kitchen space producing 1,000 lbs of granola a week within the first year. As the business expanded, they brought on more family members and employees until they reached 100% women ownership in 2024 from a transfer to daughters Coral and Liv. Based in Brattleboro, VT, they distribute crunchy granola made from ethically sourced ingredients, made by a close knit family team, made to be Organic, non-GMO, Glyphosate free. 

We’re glad that this yummy granola made it beyond Vermont’s back roads; the drive to get Back Roads Granola in the Littleton Co-op Bulk Department is far less treacherous! The Back Roads Granola story also exemplifies the changing landscape for women business owners who have the opportunity to grow and expand their family business and second-generation owners. 

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: Auspicious Brew

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Producer: Auspicious Brew

Location: Dover, NH

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Hard kombucha

Website: auspiciousbrew.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.

When Helen Leavitt wanted to open NH’s first brewery for kombucha, there was no shortage of odds against her. Not only was she faced with the people who didn’t even know what her product was, and the people who *did* know what kombucha was and were vehement opposers, she was diving headfirst into the male-dominated fermentation industry. Even though kombucha – a fermented tea with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) – has been enjoyed around the world for centuries, the idea of dedicating an entire space to its creation and enjoyment was still a disruption. But, for Helen, it was simply a continuation of her background in tending medicinal plants and mixology, and an opportunity to “[commune] with nature to create a living beverage.” Furthermore, Auspicious Brew has created a vibrant community space “where inclusivity is our driving force.” They even include visitors in the brewing process at their Dover, NH brewery, keeping the entire process out in the open (except when it needs a climate-controlled environment). 

The work of Helen and Auspicious Brew demonstrate that your beverage choice can deliver benefits beyond gut health – it can support small business owners, strengthen local economies, and uplift communities. Not to mention taste fabulous! 

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: Port City Pretzels

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Producer: Port City Pretzels

Location: Whitefield, NH

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Honey, bee pollen, beeswax cleaning products, and other bee by-products

Website: whitemountainapiary.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.

“To bee or not to bee?” That was (sort of) the question lamenting Janice Mercieri and her husband Joe for years before they officially opened White Mountain Apiary & Bee Farm in 2011 in Whitefield, NH. The duo quickly got to work and immersed themselves in bees and education; Janice even received a Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell University. Fast forward to today and Janice is perhaps the North Country of NH’s most called upon apiary expert. Janice and White Mountain Apiary wholesale bee products, retail bee equipment, grow queens and colonies for other NH and VT beekeepers, and offer classes and lectures on beekeeping, bee preservation, and more across the region. She acts as President of the North Country Beekeepers Association and sits on the Executive Board of the New Hampshire Beekeepers Association. She was awarded New Hampshire Beekeeper of the Year in 2021 and Coos County Business Leader of the Year in 2023 in recognition of her contributions to both communities.

The story of White Mountain Apiary & Bee Farm is one that demonstrates the opportunities that can come from taking a risk and pursuing a dream. The Co-op is proud to support Janice and White Mountain Apiary’s pursuit by offering a retail outlet for their locally-made honey and other bee products.

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: White Mountain Apiary

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Producer: White Mountain Apiary & Bee Farm

Location: Whitefield, NH

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Honey, bee pollen, beeswax cleaning products, and other bee by-products

Website: whitemountainapiary.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.

“To bee or not to bee?” That was (sort of) the question lamenting Janice Mercieri and her husband Joe for years before they officially opened White Mountain Apiary & Bee Farm in 2011 in Whitefield, NH. The duo quickly got to work and immersed themselves in bees and education; Janice even received a Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell University. Fast forward to today and Janice is perhaps the North Country of NH’s most called upon apiary expert. Janice and White Mountain Apiary wholesale bee products, retail bee equipment, grow queens and colonies for other NH and VT beekeepers, and offer classes and lectures on beekeeping, bee preservation, and more across the region. She acts as President of the North Country Beekeepers Association and sits on the Executive Board of the New Hampshire Beekeepers Association. She was awarded New Hampshire Beekeeper of the Year in 2021 and Coos County Business Leader of the Year in 2023 in recognition of her contributions to both communities.

The story of White Mountain Apiary & Bee Farm is one that demonstrates the opportunities that can come from taking a risk and pursuing a dream. The Co-op is proud to support Janice and White Mountain Apiary’s pursuit by offering a retail outlet for their locally-made honey and other bee products.

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: Slopeside Farm

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Producer: Slopeside Farm

Location: Lancaster, NH

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Tulip bouquets

Website: slopesidefarmnh.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.

It’s pretty standard for all farmers to be outdoor enthusiasts; obviously, not all outdoor enthusiasts become farmers, though. But Sue Greene of Slopeside Farm in Lancaster, NH did! With a quick stop as a homesteader in between, Sue took her appreciation of New Hampshire’s beautiful landscapes and turned it into a career supporting those same landscapes by cultivating healthy soil and growing organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Slopeside Farm cares for each part of the growth lifecycle, from using compost and cover crops to add life to soil, to hosting honey bees and native pollinators in their biodiverse ecosystem, all the way through partnering with the North Country Gleaners to distribute unsold perishable goods. Sue is joined in her holistic stewardship by her partner Mike, cat Mel, and dog Cinder – the official farm greeter. 

Sue and the Slopeside Farm team brighten our lives every week with deliveries of freshly-cut tulips during the winter and spring. She grows tulips in a number of colors and combinations you may have previously thought possible in your candy-colored dreams. Everyone deserves flowers; come grab some for yourself at the Co-op today! 

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: Alaffia

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Producer: Alaffia

Founders: Olowo-n’djo Tchala and Prairie Rose Hyde

Location: Olympia, WA

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Hair and body care products

Website: alaffia.com

Our modern day food systems were built on the backs of People of Color (POC), particularly the Black community, without making room to acknowledge their important contributions. During the month of February, celebrated as Black History Month, we take intentional moments to celebrate Black entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses that have shaped the way we eat, drink, and live. Supporting a vibrant and diverse producer network is a yearlong goal of the Littleton Co-op, and we are proud to highlight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.

You know the story: boy meets girl; boy and girl feel called to do right by the world; boy and girl establish social enterprise cooperative. Okay, maybe that’s not *the* story, but it is the story of Alaffia. Co-founder Olowo-n’djo Tchala witnessed first hand unfair labor and profit distribution as a child watching his mother recieve mere pennies from harvesting valuable nuts from shea trees in Tongo, West Africa. Much later, he collided with Prairie Rose Hyde — then a Peace Corps volunteer, later his wife. Together, they formed a cooperative for West African women, similar to Tchala’s mother, to empower themselves, preserve Indigenous culture, and produce high quality skin and hair care products for people around the world. Alaffia is also a certified Fair Trade business.Today, Alaffia works with partner organization to contribute to maternal care, school construction, reforestation, and potable water projects in West Africa.

A purchase of Alaffia products benefit not only your body and/or hair, but also contributes to a more just world economic system. Send this to whoever dares to tell you next “it’s just a lotion, what’s the big deal?”

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: Mina

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Producer: Mina

Owner: Fouad Kallamni

Location:

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Heat and eat soup and stews

Website: mina.co

Our modern day food systems were built on the backs of People of Color (POC), particularly the Black community, without making room to acknowledge their important contributions. During the month of February, celebrated as Black History Month, we take intentional moments to celebrate Black entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses that have shaped the way we eat, drink, and live. Supporting a vibrant and diverse producer network is a yearlong goal of the Littleton Co-op, and we are proud to highlight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.

Mina Kallamni grew up in Casablanca, Morocco, where she first tasted, and then created her own, harissa. After a lifetime of loving food, her son Fouad Kallamni found it only right to name their new line of Moroccan food products after his mother. Today, Mina is the celebration of Moroccan heritage and family recipes in the form of a line of Moroccan pantry staples like shakshuka and preserved lemons. And while introducing heritage staples to a wider audience is naturally what comes from creating a brand as accessible as Mina, it’s not the ultimate goal to make something that pleases everyone. “We’re a family business, so everything we do is a direct reflection of our family’s culture, traditions and style. Of course we pay attention to the marketplace and what consumers are interested in. But ultimately, our decisions about what to make, and how the brand shows up in the market, come down to what feels most authentic to our family,” says Fouad. To that end, Fouad and mother Mina still test all new product developments before they reach mass production. All their products are made in Morocco and many ingredients are sourced from local family farms.

Mina continues to balance recipe innovation with staying true to their roots. Consider expanding your palate with new-to-you cuisine flavors by picking up an authentically-Moroccan Mina product today!

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: ECOS

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Producer: ECOS

CEO: Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks

Location: Cypress, CA

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Laundry detergent, cleaning products, soap, and ice melt

Website: Ecos.com

Our modern day food systems were built on the backs of People of Color (POC), particularly the Black community, without making room to acknowledge their important contributions. During the month of February, celebrated as Black History Month, we take intentional moments to celebrate Black entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses that have shaped the way we eat, drink, and live. Supporting a vibrant and diverse producer network is a yearlong goal of the Littleton Co-op, and we are proud to highlight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.

ECOS, a premier creator of plant-based cleaning products and the #1 selling green laundry detergent in the U.S., was founded by Van Vlahakis, a Greek immigrant who recognized the negative health effects of harsh chemical ingredients in cleaning products during his career as a chemist. When Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks took over as President and CEO of ECOS, she wanted to increase the depth and breadth of how the company cares about the health and wellness of people and planet. Kelly is of Greek and African American descent, and has prioritized increased access to opportunities for under-represented identities within ECOS. ECOS is currently made up of 64% of employees identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and an Executive Team that is 40% BIPOC and 60% female. She also prioritizes environmental health; under her leadership, ECOS became a Climate Positivity company — the world’s first to have carbon neutral, water neutral, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste facilities. Furthermore, ECOS has one of the highest minimum wages in the industry at $17/hour.

ECOS continues to be a company that not only makes great products, but takes great care of people and the planet, under Vlahakis-Hanks’ leadership. She is also making strides so ECOS’s vision and values are passed along to future generations, establishing the Vlahakis Organic Chemistry Lab at Roosevelt University in Chicago (her father’s alma mater) for students to research chemistry based on renewable resources.

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.

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.









Upcoming Events

 

Free Sampling with Perlage Winery

Free Sampling with Perlage Winery

Perlage Winery will be at the Co-op with Pearl Lake Distributors for a sampling on Friday, March 13th from 4-6PM. …
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.
Member Appreciation Day

Member Appreciation Day

Shop and save! Littleton Co-op member-owners save 10% all day on all eligible purchases. Not a member? Sign up today …

View more events here!

 

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