It may be the middle of winter, but we're already looking ahead to the North Country growing season here at the Co-op! Last week our Produce managers held the Co-op's second annual Growers Meeting, attended by 14 farmers from throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, to make a plan for the growing season and what fresh, local foods you'll see on the shelves come spring and summer. "It's so nice to get together with the growers and see the immense amount of respect they have for each other," said Produce Department Manager Rodney Mitton. "It's nice that even in today's world we continue the tradition of farmers working together like they did years ago, whether it was to bale hay or raise corn. We're continuing with our mission to bring more local items into the store, with help from these wonderful growers."

Speaking of the great items in our Co-op store, we'd love to hear what your favorite Co-op foods are. If you receive our weekly e-blast, you've likely read about many of the items featured in our Staff Picks section. Since day one at the Co-op, we've always been interested in what you, our great members and customers, love about the store - so we're adding an occasional Customer Pick to our weekly e-blasts. We invite you to email Lauren at lalberini@littletoncoop.org to let us know what your favorite Co-op item is. Please include your name, town of residence, and a brief description of your Customer Pick.  

Ammonoosuc Habitat for Humanity is February Partner  

The Co-op's Partner of the Month is Habitat for Humanity Ammonoosuc Region, which is dedicated to improving the lives of local families in need of affordable housing. Habitat relies on volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to build houses, which are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable, no-interest loans.   

Working with local families, volunteers, and businesses, Ammonoosuc Habitat has completed homes in Whitefield, Littleton, and Bethlehem. The organization is currently raising funds to construct a home this summer in Lancaster and is seeking a partner family for that project.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity Ammonoosuc Region, including how to volunteer or apply to become a partner family, visit www.ammonoosuchabitat.org or call (603) 616-2515.

Thanks to the generosity of you, our members and shoppers, the Co-op has been able to donate thousands of dollars to other area nonprofits who help build a stronger community. This month's Pizza and a Partner Night, to benefit Ammonoosuc Habitat, is February 17th.  

What's In Your Basket, Heidi G. ?

This month we caught up with regular Co-op shopper and Founding Member Heidi G. as she perused our store's aisles. Heidi lives in Bethlehem and shops the Co-op a couple times each month to help feed four.

Heidi loves the fresh offerings in our Produce Department and the great selection in our Meat & Seafood Department, but there's one area of the store she raves about: "The Deli is amazing!" And that's where we found her, early in her shopping trip, filling her basket with an assortment of cold cuts. She also had two varieties of Food Should Taste Good brand chips and was headed through the store to find more great food.

If you visit our great Deli & Prepared Foods Department in the store, you've probably had the pleasure of being served by Amanda Schrader, on whom we shine the Employee Spotlight this month.

Amanda has 14 years of grocery experience and came to the Co-op just over a year ago from Shaw's Market, seeking a better job opportunity. She loves the Co-op's friendly atmosphere and that the store is owned by its members, who have a say in its operation, rather than a big corporation.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Amanda has lived in Littleton for six years. Her parents, sister and nephew all live nearby in Vermont, and she loves spending time with her family when she's not hard at work in the Deli. She also likes to get outside to hike and snowshoe.

There's lots happening at the Co-op this month. As always, our online calendar lists up-to-date details on events and classes at the Co-op. And if you'd like to learn more about what's happening in our community beyond the store, check out our new Co-op Community Wall near the water fountain!

Our Senior Discount Day this month is February 8th. (And no matter how old you are, everyone receives a Birthday Discount on his or her special day!)

Our Partner of the Month, Ammonoosuc Habitat for Humanity, will be in the store February 11th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. with information about what the organization does locally. Habitat will be back February 17th for Pizza and a Partner night, when $1 from every delicious, hand-tossed pizza pie from our Deli benefits the Partner.

All the lovebirds out there know February 14th is Valentine's Day! Treat all the sweethearts in your life right and shop the Co-op for a great selection of Fair Trade chocolates, hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries, beautiful flowers, and endless other goodies. For a delicious and romantic evening, pick up a meal from our Deli & Prepared Foods Department and a bottle of wine, and - Voila - dinner!

On February 18th from 12-3pm the Co-op will hold its annual Winterfest Celebration with samples, sales, and giveaways galore throughout the store! Check out samples from vendors like the Kingdom Creamery and Spindrift soda, get your book signed by lovely local author of the book A History of Cannon Mountain, Meghan McCarthy McPhaul, and enter to win a a 22" Flatscreen Television! And that's not all, Co-op Members get 10% Off their purchases all day! Standard exclusions apply.  

Nutritionist Chad Proulx will be at the store February 20th at 5:30 pm to share and demonstrate healthy cooking tips. Join us!

The Co-op Board of Directors also meets February 20th from 4-5 p.m. at the Co-op business office, and members are always welcome to attend.

February is National Canned Food Month, and the Co-op is holding a canned food drive to benefit Good Neighbor Food Pantry, All Saints Church, and the Littleton Food Pantry. We'll be accepting canned goods all month, and on February 25th the Co-op will match donations, can-for-can (up to 500 cans) for items donated that day.