This Saturday (July 6th), co-ops around the world will come together to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives. Well, they won’t actually come together in some big block party style extravaganza (that would be pretty neat, though). But in the spirit of principle #6 (cooperation among cooperatives), we all individually take the day to celebrate the breadth and the resiliency of the cooperative spirit. The cooperation doesn’t stop at the exterior of the Littleton Food Co-op; step inside and you will find a number of other cooperatives on the shelves as well. In honor of International Day of Cooperatives, here are just some of the other cooperatives you can find within your local food co-op:

1. Cabot

You might not realize it, as the brand has dropped the “cooperative” from their brand name, but Cabot is actually owned by over 800 member dairy farmers. Cabot celebrates a big milestone this year, as 100 years have passed since the original group of 94 farms came together to form their cooperative. As the organization has grown and evolved, they remain steadfast in their commitment to the cooperative principles, sustainability, and “hard work and a tireless dedication to quality make our products stand apart.”

2. Equal Exchange

As the name implies, at the core of Equal Exchange is their belief that “we should expect no less from ourselves and each other than we demand of our farmer partners.” They thought the best way to do this was through forming a worker-owned cooperative. As labels like “fair trade” and “organic” are popping up left and right, Equal Exchange stays true to its values in creating high quality coffees, teas, and chocolates, while empowering farmers and consumers. 

3. Bob’s Red Mill

Bob, the owner and namesake behind Bob’s Red Mill, has an “honest-to-goodness” approach that shapes every whole grain flour product that comes out of his mill. His passion for a healthy lifestyle, quality, and generosity flow through the organization like grain through their old-fashioned stone mills. It is perhaps this last quality that prompted Bob to hand over his company to his employees in 2010, stating “I don’t think there’s anybody worthy to run this company but the people who built it.” Even though this co-op is relatively new, it’s clear that the cooperative values run deep through its 200+ owners. 

4. Ocean Spray

Unlike Bob’s Red Mill, Ocean Spray has been a farmer cooperative since its very inception back in 1930. Ocean Spray produces its cranberry products through the voluntary cooperation of over 700 farm families. Ocean Spray’s motto, “Act Tiny. Be Mighty.” demonstrates its commitment to each farmer-owner, and its long history of success in the face of adversity shows the power of democratic member control. 

5. Land O’Lakes

Land O’Lakes has always been committed to innovation and community– and it credits that to its cooperative roots. A united front among 1,700 farmer-owners is what has allowed the co-op to remain a leader in better butter production. If you were unaware of their cooperative structure, it makes more sense when you discover that Land O’Lakes was founded back in 1921 on the idea that “we’re better when we work together.” As their product line has evolved over the past century to become more consumer focused, it’s no surprise that they take just as much care with their business structure. 

6. Blue Diamond Almonds

Blue Diamond Almonds is a cooperative 3,000 growers strong. Their diverse product line is made possible from the commitment of generations of farmers. The singular commitment of Blue Diamond Almonds is to “bring the benefits of almonds to the world.” Rather than take chances on this mission, this co-op insists on making conscientious decisions to better life for their grower-owners and consumers. Their care and quality has catapulted them to the forefront of their craft. 

Products from all of these cooperatives are available at the Littleton Food Co-op, your community-owned market dedicated to support cooperatives everyday. 

Rather than relying on silly metrics like star sign or career, we only make inferences about people using hard, undeniable facts–like their hot dog condiment preferences. There is no better time to analyze someone than the Fourth of July, a time when Americans are estimated to eat 150 million hot dogs. Take a second to think of your go-to topping for your dog and get ready to learn something about yourself today.

No topping

You appreciate the simple things in life, like a walk in the woods, or humming your favorite melody. You’re not a materialistic person either, and friends love being able to see the “real you” all the time. This stems from your innate belief that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” which applies to most things in your life, including your hot dogs. 

Ketchup

Overall, you’re a pretty simple person. But that isn’t a bad thing! You have a number of different interests, meaning you’re always down to go with the flow. Your coworkers would label you as “dependable” in a heartbeat, and friends turn to you when they need a comforting shoulder to lean on. 

Mustard

You are slightly unpredictable–and we mean that in the best way possible. You have an unstoppable adventurous spirit; it’s a surprise that you’re in one spot long enough to even eat a hot dog. Everyone around you is always kept on their toes. Your boldness can sometimes get you into trouble, but those who know you best know you make up for it with the sweetness underneath. 

Relish

There is no doubt that you are prepared for anything. The struggle people have when getting you involved is getting you to make a decision. You have a set of somewhat unconventional interests, but you’ve found a close group of friends that share the same passions. Together, you all can take on anything sweet or sour that comes your way. 

Sauerkraut

Friends might call you a traditionalist, but you wouldn’t put that label on yourself. Sure you have an obsession with family history, and only vintage fashion, but everything you pull from the past is updated with a modern twist. You crave the city life, or at the very least the adrenaline and new people that come with it. Your friends love that you don’t take “no” for an answer. 

Chili and Cheese

A heavily frequented word in your vocabulary is “YOLO.” Your life mantra is all about acting first and thinking later. If this scares people off, they are easily won over by your unwavering optimism. Since you are all about making your own decisions, you are not afraid to assert your authority when necessary. 

Onions

People don’t know much about you, actually. Even if you’re not an introvert, you still appreciate your alone time. When you do make a public appearance, your flair for the dramatic tends to push you to the center of a crowd. 

Hot peppers

At one point, your dream career was “daredevil.” The remnants of that dream can still be seen in the way you’re always looking for another thrill. Life gave you the entire seat but you prefer to sit on the edge. You can handle the heat that life throws at you and function well in high pressure environments. 

Did we miss a topping? Let us know your favorite way to dress your dog! Happy Fourth, Cooperators!

New to the Co-op this week – we’re featuring two new beers from Foundation Brewing Company of Portland Maine!

One of their offerings is Dreamboat, which is a New England IPA featuring Columbus and Eureka! hops and their first IPA brewed with an American Ale yeast. Dreamboat pours a golden yellow with a pronounced haze. The soft mouthfeel is like floating on clouds, with no bitterness and flavors of pineapple and resin, with a dank backbone.

We’re also carrying Zuurzing, which is a farmhouse ale soured with Lactobacillus, and provides a delightfully tart, tangy and crisp, citrusy flavor. Foundation uses a proprietary Belgian yeast to ferment this beer, and uses a blend of American hops to enhance the citrus notes.

Look for these new 4 packs in our warm section at the Co-op!

Start the summer off right by enjoying some calcium-rich foods in celebration of National Dairy Month this June. This honor was bestowed upon June back in 1937, and has been a running tradition ever since. If you’re fortunate enough to not be lactose intolerant, dairy products contain important dietary intakes including calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. These key nutrients offer a plethora of health benefits, including helping to prevent heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and having healthier bones, skin, and teeth. Even if you are unable to enjoy dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, we can all appreciate the fact that the dairy industry is becoming more environmentally sustainable. Dairy farmers are now using 90% less land and 65% less water to give us the same high quality products. In addition, the dairy industry is responsible for nearly one million jobs in the U.S, including a number in our community. Check out the dairy coolers at the Co-op to find products from producers like Robie Farm, Hatchland Farm, and Brookford Farm to support your local dairy industry.

‘Tis the season for Dads and grads! This Sunday (June 16th) is Father’s Day, and the only thing worse than Dad jokes is not having anything to show the father figure in your life just how much he means to you. To make your life easier, we curated a list of perfect gifts for Dad with help from our employees at the Co-op. Each Dad different, but our list has something for everyone. The best part is that they’re all in one convenient place: the Littleton Food Co-op! Even better: Some of our recommendations are on special this week! Look no further for gift inspiration:

For the Grill Dad

You can never find the Grill Dad in the house but you can always smell the savory aroma of his next grilled creation. He never feels better than when his men’s sandals are strapped on and he has a firm hand on his grill tools. This weekend, help him do great work by picking up some marinades, grilling gear, or locally-raised meats. They’ll please Dad AND the rest of the family!

For the 9-5 Dad

The 9-5 Dad looks like every cartoon father figure ever: tie around his neck, stressed look on his face, coffee cup in hand. Make his life a little easier by filling that cup on his special day. We recommend any of the Equal Exchange Coffee blends from the bulk department. This is a win-win gift because Dad gets his caffeine fix, and Equal Exchange can continue its mission to support small-scale farmers around the world through partnerships that are “economically just and environmentally sound.”

For the “Always Put Together” Dad

This Dad thinks a relaxing day at home still calls for a well-pressed shirt and jeans. More than that, he doesn’t know the definition of “second day shave.” Elevate his morning grooming routine this Father’s Day with the Burt’s Bees Grooming Essentials for Men kit. No more scratchy hugs, either! 

For the Beer Dad

We’re well-known for our huge craft beer selection, including many local and hard-to-find brands. There’s bound to be dad’s favorite (or new favorite) among our selection of Schilling, Rek-lis, Wildbloom, Iron Furnace, Kettlehead, Lawson’s Liquid, Big Day, Co-os, and more. Our Beer Manager Kevin is always down to give recommendations and point you in the right direction if beer isn’t your thing. And if you’re getting something for dad, it’s only fair to pick up a 4-pack for yourself, right?

For the Dog Dad

Our four-legged friends can hold a special place in our hearts, so don’t leave them out of the celebrating! Fido would love to gift dad with some high quality, locally made dog treats (wink wink). And Fido gets absolutely nothing back in return for this gift (again, wink wink).

For the Sentimental Dad

The Sentimental Dad has never thrown away any of your elementary school artwork (or done so with great regret). His favorite way to spend the day is with family, and his favorite hobby is reminiscing. That’s why he will appreciate a S’mores kit with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate Bars that will remind him of your childhood. He will be overjoyed if you assemble the s’mores together.

For the Picky Dad

The Picky Dad has evolved into many forms. He might be a picky eater like the name implies. He might be really hard to shop for because he “doesn’t care what you get him.” Or he just might like that one type of chocolate you simply can’t seem to remember the name of. Whatever the situation may be, the best gift for the Picky Dad is a Co-op gift card. For this type of Dad, a gift card doesn’t mean laziness on your behalf; it means “I love you enough to let you pick out your own gift.”

BONUS

For the Vegetable Dad

In some regions, the Vegetable Dad is few and far between. Lucky for us, we have our Produce Manager Brian to provide his input. When we asked him what he would like to receive for Father’s Day from the Co-op, his answer was simple: “Produce.” No big shocker there I guess. The Vegetable Dad will be thrilled with our selection of fresh and local variety of produce available all summer long.

Happy Father’s Day! How do you plan to make it a great day?