Littleton Food Co-op

a community-owned market

Producer Spotlight: Port City Pretzels

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Producer: Port City Pretzels

Location: Whitefield, NH

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Hard pretzel snack bags

Website: portcitypretzels.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.

Meet the people behind “The People’s Pretzel,” aka Port City Pretzels! Suzanne Foley founded Port City Pretzels out of Portsmouth, NH in 2015; but, the pretzels themselves go back much further. The Port City Pretzels you buy today at the Littleton Co-op are adaptations of Suzanne’s family’s recipes from over 30 years ago. Her mother-in-law, Eileen Foley, is actually the longest serving mayor in Portsmouth’s history, and the inspiration behind the recipe and business. She started her business to bring the feelings and taste of joy from her family’s recipes to the people. Today, that joy extends far beyond the product: the company is 100% woman-owned; they proudly represent the LGBTQ+ community; the majority of their employees are disabled (74% as of May 2025); and they consider themselves “radically inclusive.” While keeping the resilient spirit of NH within all of their work, Port City Pretzels are sold nationwide, and they were even named the Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year in 2020 by the Small Business Administration.

When you take a bite of Port City Pretzels, you can tell that Suzanne cares about her people *and* her product. We appreciate the hard work of her and her employees, and are so glad to have Port City Pretzels representing a woman-owned NH business at the Littleton Food Co-op.  

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.

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!!









Upcoming Events

 

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 …
Grow Pizza Herbs: A Discussion on Basil & Oregano w/ Littleton Garden Club

Grow Pizza Herbs: A Discussion on Basil & Oregano w/ Littleton Garden Club

Join the Littleton Garden Club in learning what it takes to grow all the vegetables and herbs needed to make …
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.

View more events here!

 

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