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How to Prepare for Lobsterpalooza 2019

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Our favorite Crustacean-themed holiday is just days away, and we’ve been feverishly getting ready for the big day. Here are a few tips to help you plan for Lobsterpalooza this year!

When is the best time to come to the co-op? Well, that depends. We have TWO deliveries scheduled, direct to us from the seacoast. The first delivery will be ready for our 7AM opening, which is perfect for you earlybirds. People usually line up before the store even opens, and we usually run out of lobster pretty fast! Then there’s another truck arriving mid-morning for a second round, so if you get here around 11am you can cheer with everyone else as the truck rolls up. That can vary a little bit though, because even lobsters sometimes get stuck in I-93 traffic. We hope everyone will hang out, have fun, and enjoy a lovely day of lobster-based bargains.

Also, we’re limiting lobsters to 10 per customer, so that there is plenty to go around. Lobsterpalooza is for one day only – Saturday July 27 2019, and the deals are good only while supplies last. Standard restrictions apply. Questions? Stop by the service desk and ask! See you Saturday!

Sip on Fair Trade

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Last week, we highlighted the prevalence of slave labor in the chocolate industry and some companies who are forging the path away from inhumane working conditions. While slavery in chocolate is perhaps the most famous un-just food system, similar hardships and ethical conundrums pop-up across food group lines. Luckily, there are similar companies using their buying power through fair trade to change human conditions around the world. This week, we take a look at beverages making a difference. 

To many American homes, coffee is a staple; however, a world of complexity lives behind the grounds. Coffee is an extremely volatile industry whose prices tend to slope down rather than up. Fairtrade organizations stepped in to ensure farmers “receive a fair and stable price for their coffee that covers average costs of sustainable production.” On the consumer side that might be hard to believe; however, most coffee farmers receive only 2% of their coffee’s retail price. A fair trade premium guarantees that coffee farmers will have an income regardless of the market, and can hopefully use that money for self-improvement. This phenomenon, the goods and the bads, occur across multiple industries that come together to make our favorite drinks. For companies who continue to use slave and child labor, “transparency alone doesn’t solve farmworker issues or issues of modern slavery, but it’s a necessary precondition for addressing these issues” according to the director of the CRS Coffeelands program Michael Sheridan. Another step in the right direction is engaging in fair trade. The following beverage companies have an independent fair trade verification and can be found at the Littleton Food Co-op: 

*Similar to chocolate, we sadly can not guarantee that all the beverage options on this list are produced without slave or child labor. We know there are many smaller companies out there who choose not to become verified fair trade organizations even though their practices exceed the requirements. In addition, fair trade verification organizations themselves can be very laissez-faire in the enforcement of ethical farming practices, so many question the validity of a fair trade label. These conversations are leading us down the road towards more humanitarian production methods and trade deals for all industries. 

 

Resources: 

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/farmers-and-workers/coffee/about-coffee

https://medium.com/@MarinaTMartinez/coffee-slavery-destruction-and-shortage-c915d430390e

https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/04/13/in-brazils-coffee-industry-some-workers-face-conditions-analogous-to-slavery/

https://foodispower.org/our-food-choices/coffee/

The Sweetest Chocolate

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All chocolate is sweet. Yes, sometimes there’s sea salt or a hearty nut involved, or a bitter aftertaste, but the overwhelming amount of chocolate can be lumped into the “sweet” category. So how do you get sweeter than sweet? You make it through fair trade processes and without slave labor. 

Slave labor is considered to be any labor that invokes a human rights violation. Unfortunately, this burden often falls on one of the most vulnerable populations: low-income children. Sometimes, it initiates from a malicious place, but other times it comes from a place of desperation of families wanting to create a better life and farmers needing to cut costs because of the low price of cocoa. No matter the origin, many children spend their adolescence doing hard labor on farms instead of studying in school. The fair trade movement is about correcting this practice through “better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world,” according to the Fairtrade Foundation. Companies can become “certified fair trade” through a selection of independent organizations. 

When most people discuss unethical labor and practices in the chocolate industry, they are referring to the Ivory Coast of Africa. Ivory Coast farmers supply about 30% of the cocoa beans needed to sustain the world chocolate market. Children here can be paid just 85 cents a day for contributing to a billion dollar industry. While these inhumane conditions have existed since long before any chocolate was sold in stores, large-scale movements to actually do something about it only came into focus around the last turn of the century. The overarching goal of these movements was obviously to eradicate child labor. That goal has sadly not been reached. What has come from this is more consumer awareness of foods’ value chains and the emergence of new chocolate companies who want to lead the way in ending such poor conditions in the Ivory Coast. You may recognize them as the “higher priced brands.” This is because the organizations pay a “fair trade premium” to their farmer partners so they can collaboratively work to end cycles of poverty. 

Companies leading the way towards an equitable chocolate industry include: 

*We want to take a second to acknowledge the imperfections of this list. First, just because a company is not on this list doesn’t mean they engage in unethical practices. Sometimes, small companies do not have a big enough following to be recognized for their efforts, and/or they choose not to register with a third party organization even though they qualify. Even the large corporations that have become synonymous with child labor in the chocolate industry are setting goals for fairer conditions in the near future. Secondly, these third party certifications have come under fire for their ways of enforcement that allow farmers to easily sidestep an inspection. However, these imperfect systems are raising awareness of this prevalent issue, which is the first step in improving our global food systems.

 

Some resources to learn more:

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/24/ivory-coast-cocoa-farmers-fairtrade-fortnight-women-farmers-trade-justice

https://blog.equalexchange.coop/child-labor-in-the-cocoa-industry/

https://laborrights.org/in-the-news/was-your-chocolate-produced-using-child-slave-labor

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/business/hershey-nestle-mars-chocolate-child-labor-west-africa/?utm_term=.02d92c8e75c9

Beverages of the Week: Summer Beers from White Birch

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White Birch Brewery from Nashua, NH is one of the local beers that we have carried here at the Co-op since the very beginning. We were both founded in the Spring of 2009!
Lately White Birch has gotten into the summer spirit with 3 new beers that push the envelope. First up is a Pineapple Double IPA called Mahalo, which means thank you or grateful in Hawaiian. If you or a friend like pineapple and enjoy double IPA’s, this is definitely a must try – but be careful, this beer has a 9.2% ABV!
Other new items from White Birch include a couple of sours to add to our collection. Orange Creamsicle tastes like (you probably guessed) that ice cream favorite on a stick. For those looking for your antioxidants, White Birch Purple Monster would be the perfect choice. This sour has blueberry and pomegranate added. Who’s up for a purple beer?
Try these new offerings or your old White Birch favorites, now available at the Littleton Food Co-op.

You Have Your Lobster, Now What?

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For many of us, lobster is a summer delicacy whose dark exterior can’t be resisted during a sale like Lobsterpalooza. It’s Saturday evening and you have returned triumphant from the Co-op–and maybe taken a nap (or two) to recover from the early morning and the excitement you exuded at the store prior. But…now what? Here are ten lobster-based recipes with ingredients worthy of your bargain crustacean: 

Even if you’ve never cooked a lobster, there are recipes floating around that you’ve probably at least heard of. Like the more-classic-than-classic Maine Lobster Roll. If you want to dine like our neighbors to the east, try this Maine Lobster Roll recipe. A heartier classic is Lobster Mac and Cheese, which combines multiple rich cheese flavors with the decadent taste of the lobster, like in this recipe. Another recipe commonly found on the seafood restaurant docket is Lobster Bisque. Now that you have the tools to make it at home you can add as much lobster as you want to each serving. 

While the classics are great, if you’re going out of your cooking comfort zone by purchasing lobster in the first place, why not try something completely new? This first recipe wins the award for “most seasonal.” Fresh lobster is already a tried and true sign of summer. It’s like adding three exclamation points to the end of the word any time you use it in a sentence-even if it’s in the middle. But this Lobster Salad with Sweet Corn and Tomatoes is like sky-writing the word “summer” in all capital letters across the beach on a hot July day. 

A way to bring lobster into the day time that’s not in roll-form is in this colorful Lobster Cobb Salad. If you want the pasta without the cheese this Lobster Pasta with Herbed Cream Sauce is a delicious alternative. Plus we won’t tell anyone if you throw some fresh parmesan on top. The most popular way to cook lobster is boiling or steaming it, but you can also grill it to get that summertime smoky aroma. On the other hand, you can heat up the oven for some savory Baked Stuffed Lobster Tails. Either way, you get to enjoy a delicious meal with the natural seafood flavors you love. 

Now even though whole lobsters are the focal point of Lobsterpalooza, lobster in a recognizable form does not have to be the focal point of your dish. Take these Loaded Lobster Burgers, for example. They disguise themselves as regular patties, but one bite reveals their rich flavor that pairs so well with the homemade aioli and salsa (and more) that sit upon it. Last but not least, you can never go wrong with pizza. This Brown Butter Lobster and Spinach Pizza is a great way to introduce skeptical crowds to the power of lobster. 

How will you be preparing your Lobsterpalooza lobster? Share with us on social media!

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     Facebook: Littleton Food Co-op

July 6th is International Day of Cooperatives

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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. 

Beverage of the week:

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With some summer weather upon us more and more beer drinkers are looking for fruity sour beers. Prairie Artisan Ales from Oklahoma makes a Pink Guava Funk that definitely qualifies as a fruity summer sour. Technically an American Wild Ale, this wild-yeast fermented kettle sour pours a hazy copper with a fine white foam head. The aroma has guava, acidic tropical fruits…… and quite a lot of funk! The flavor is very sour with tart lemon and guava shining through in the finish. It has mild carbonation and a light body, but a respectable 6.3% ABV. Definitely something that every sour lover should give a try, now available at the Co-op.

What Does Your Favorite Hot Dog Topping Say About You?

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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!

 

How to Never Turn Off Your Grill This 4th of July: A Comprehensive List of Recipes

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Grilling has practically become synonymous with the Fourth of July in American culture. In fact, about 75% of American homes have a grill. If you don’t have your own fond grilling memories, it doesn’t take much screen time, whether it’s on social media or television, to find someone else’s. However, it becomes difficult to distinguish one person’s meal from another (is that picture from a box-store tv commercial or my neighbor Rob?). It’s all various meats in various shapes, maybe a couple veggie skewers, and an ear of corn if you’re lucky. This gave us an ambitious idea: is it possible to grill every part of a Fourth of July barbecue? After sleepless nights of research, we reached the verdict:

Yes.

It is possible to grill every part of a Fourth of July meal.

And we mean every part. 

Read on for ways to serve a full course meal that no one will expect but everyone will love. We think that these recipes turn out the best when used with as many local ingredients as possible! Our selection of local products is constantly evolving, so stop by the Co-op before trying out one of these.

Appetizer 

Appetizers for the Fourth of July have a serious job to do. Bite-sized morsels throughout the day are the equivalent of crowd control at a rowdy concert. If you want to keep it simple and classic, opt for some chips and Grilled Corn Salsa. This option will take just 15 minutes of work to satisfy guests for hours. If you’re looking for something heartier, Barbecue Meatballs take a bit more time, but produce a strong flavor that put frozen meatballs to shame. However, we know that this meal is a marathon, not a sprint. These Grilled Zucchini Wraps are a great low-cal way to silence those first cravings. Plus, they are gluten free!

Soup

We thought this course might require a slight modification to the laws of physics. How else would soup (a liquid) stay atop a grill (a solid)? Turns out, the trick is to break out the grill before the broth. This Grilled-Vegetable Gazpacho proves that soup does not have to hide in the warm months. The link also includes recipes for other soups, but we chose the cold soup to complement the (hopefully) warm weather on Independence Day. 

Salad

As far as grilled salads go, a romaine grilled salad is pretty traditional. This Grilled Caesar Salad  not only delivers on the traditional flavor, but it is also gluten free and vegan, as the dressing uses hemp seeds. The incredible flavors of this Grilled Kale Avocado Salad make us want to keep the grill out all year. It will definitely be hard to leave room in your stomach for other courses after you taste the delicious flavor (not to mention the key nutrients). 

Feel free to stop reading if you think salads only have lettuce and you don’t like flavor. Okay, we didn’t mean to be harsh, but we felt like this unique Grilled Eggplant Caprese needed its own warning. Plus, who wants to wait until the very end of the barbecue to eat the watermelon? This Grilled Watermelon Salad brings the summertime favorite into the mix earlier and with unexpected flavor. 

Main Course

Even among all the other amazing options you serve, your guests are truly anticipating the main course. Your best bet here is to go down the traditional path. But, this doesn’t mean you’re lacking options. 

Hot Dog

On Independence Day each year Americans consume 150 million hot dogs, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. There’s no fun in having them plain, so try one Chicago Style or dressed as a Cowboy Hot Dog.  

Chicken

The Fourth of July is this basic weeknight meat’s chance to show you what it can do. It can be part of a nostalgic classic, such as Grilled BBQ Chicken Wings. It can be between two buns, like in this Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Caesar-ish Dressing. It can even be on a stick, like on these Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken and Bacon Skewers

Beef

A beef patty is another American classic perfect for Independence Day. You can go the extra-classic route with a Bacon Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onions. This recipe has extra cheese, making it delightfully irresistible. The Inside-Out Blue Cheese Burger also revolves around the cheese –literally. The cheese is hidden inside the burger for an unexpected tang. 

Shrimp

Shrimp is another great thing served on a stick. In this Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewer recipe the flavor practically screams “summer.” For a more intense flavor, try this recipe for Jumbo Stuffed Shrimp which grills the shrimp in the shell. 

Pork

Pork is not everyone’s festive go-to, but friends will forget any hesitation once they see these Bourbon BBQ Glazed Pork Chops. Or try it in a slider format, such a these Tennessee Pulled Pork Sandwiches. They require more of your time, but they will fly off the plate faster than you can name the recipe. 

Steak

The best way to compliment steak on the grill? Grill its counterparts! In Dry-Rubbed Flank Steak with Grilled Corn Salsa, these two distinct flavors connect for a powerhouse dish. If you want to focus on grilling the meat, this Sweet Onion-Marinated Skirt Steak will satisfy your grilling wishes and savory desires. 

For Vegetarians

Just because one of your guests avoids meat, doesn’t mean they have to miss out on the grilling fun. They don’t even have to miss out on burgers with this Portobello Peach Burger. An alternate option is these delicious looking Beer-Brushed Tofu Skewers. In any case, we recommend cooking all vegetarian options first on the grill to guarantee there is no contact with the meat option. 

Sides

No rightful summer party is complete without side dishes. Everyone’s favorite starch can be dressed up as Grilled Ranch Potatoes, or its sassy sister the sweet potato can be diced up for Grilled Sweet Potatoes. Another classic grill accessory is grilled corn. The easiest way to add it to your meal is to pair it with this Lemon-Pepper Butter. If you want to incorporate more vegetables in the mix, try this recipe for Grilled Green Beans. 

Drink

This was the one component of the meal we were most skeptical about. Could it be done? Not only can it be done, it can be done well. For an option the entire family can enjoy, grill up this special Lemonade (never a sentence we thought we’d be saying). If you want to wow your adult guests, a Grilled Strawberry Cocktail is the way to do it. Grilling the strawberries deepens the flavor and makes them sweeter than we thought possible. 

Dessert

Perhaps nothing is more American than apple pie. But this Grilled Apple Pie a la Mode? It’s as if a bald eagle in a flag-print top was jumping over the statue of liberty while holding a sparkler. A great alternative is Skillet Brownies, who’s warm, gooey texture will make you wish they were the all-American dessert. On the other hand, Grilled Watermelon with Yogurt is a more refreshing dish with a slight tang. It’s perfect for when you really can’t eat anymore, but you really want dessert. 

If you feel at all overwhelmed by so much grilling, there’s no need to fret! These recipes are great for any summer day. Happy Fourth, Cooperators!

June is National Dairy Month

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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.



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