That's Rad

It’s not a beer, it’s not a wine, it’s not a cocktail – it’s a podcast episode! On this episode of That’s Rad, a podcast presented by the Littleton Food Co-op, Auspicious Brew co-founder Helen Leavitt joins the chat to talk about kombucha, community, and the intersections between them. While Helen is no stranger to fermentation, New Hampshire is still getting to know kombucha, making Auspicious Brew the first licensed kombucha brewery for the state. Along the way, Auspicious Brew’s headquarters in Dover, NH has come to be a community hub, particularly for those defining themselves outside the lines, thus mirroring the same ineffable, category-breaking drink they sip there. Helen and host Anastasia discuss if there was intentionality behind this decision, how no trip to the brewery yields the same results, and the auspicious future that lies ahead for the business. Available to listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, and in-browser listening at littletoncoop.com/podcast.

Just in time for grilling season comes the story behind your new favorite sausages. Founder and Chef Carter Light of Colvard & Co stops by this episode of That’s Rad, the official Littleton Food Co-op podcast, to tell listeners more about the beauty behind the often undervalued sausage – especially when you put the work into it like his Maine-based company does. And have no fear, listeners: this is a story about how the sausage is made, but includes none of the production details that might turn off the squeamish. Instead, this episode focuses on the human side of the business – the love, the hometown reflections, and the unshakeable pursuit of perfection. Just like Colvard & Co., this episode is best served up during grilling season, but is a delicious listen year round. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or for free with no ads at littletoncoop.com/podcast.

More on NH Bacon & Beer Festival: https://www.nhbaconbeer.com/

Calling all gardeners: the seasoned veterans, the nervous newbies, the overly ambitious go-getters, and the forgetful folks. And a special shoutout to the procrastinators – this episode of That’s Rad, a podcast presented by the Littleton Food Co-op, is for you. On the latest episode, host Anastasia sits down with Jenn of High Mowing Organic Seeds, a Vermont-based 100% non-GMO organic seed company that has grown from a small outpost in the north to one of North America’s most recognized, most knowledgeable, and most trusted seed brands. So what does the garden of a High Mowing Organic Seeds employee look like? While we’re at it, what does a seed company actually do? Why are they 100% organic, and how does that impact what we grow? Spoiler alert: it impacts much, much more than the vegetables you pull out of the ground. And you know it wouldn’t be a podcast with Anastasia without somehow connecting everything back to Parks and Recreation. Listen today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, or subscription-free on the Littleton Food Co-op website.

On the latest episode of That’s Rad, a podcast presented by the Littleton Food Co-op, host Anastasia welcomes Littleton Co-op’s new Cooperative Executive Officer Learner Limbach to the store and the podcast. Or is it the podcast and the store? The pair sit down to discuss Learner’s generations-deep connections to cooperatives and how that legacy (and maybe a little bit of destiny) ultimately led him to Littleton, NH from an island off of Washington state. They also share a first look at new innovations happening at the Littleton Food Co-op, including an explanation of the Provisions Wholesale Co-op program, a new membership benefit. And yes, they will tell you where the name “Learner” comes from. This episode is a great “crash course” for Littleton Co-op members to find out more about their store’s newest leader, and recommended for anyone interested in one man’s perfect taco recipe. Listen today wherever you listen to podcasts or at littletoncoop.com/podcast subscription free.

Welcome back to That’s Rad, a podcast by the Littleton Food Co-op! With a new year comes new beginnings, including for Littleton Co-op’s longtime General Manager Ed King as he steps into retirement. We say that after sixteen years of service to the Co-op, it’s well-deserved. But we couldn’t let him go without one last goodbye on the pod! On this episode, Ed sits down with host Anastasia for a co-op career retrospective covering highlights, regrets, and what comes next – for the Littleton Co-op and one of the most prominent people behind it. This episode is a masterclass in how to lead others down the road least expected, gracefully pass on a legacy, and “smile because it happened.”

She’s been across the country, and now she’s circled back closer to home on the East Coast. On this latest episode of That’s Rad, host Anastasia wraps up her cross-country co-op road trip at Friendly City Food Co-op in Harrisonburg, VA. Her host there is veteran Friendly City employee and Produce Lead Dietrich. Anastasia and Dietrich discuss what it means to live and work in a city so nice it stuck as a nickname, how the co-op meets its goal of supporting local farmers and food access simultaneously, and how to live with fame when you’re a co-op social media star. It’s the East Coast co-op icons crossover event you didn’t know you needed.

Summer for That’s Rad, a podcast presented by the Littleton Co-op, can only mean one thing – it’s time for a trip! Host Anastasia is embarking on a cross-country road trip… with a twist. Listen in as Anastasia goes coast to coast to get the scoop on food co-ops across the country. What’s it like to be a co-op with over 100,000 member-owners? How does a co-op survive when there are eight other food co-ops in the same town? Do co-ops even exist in the South? And what, if anything, does the Littleton Food Co-op have in common with any of them? On this episode, Anastasia has stopped at PCC Community Markets in Seattle, WA to talk with their Director of Purpose, Mike Wenrich. PCC is the country’s largest consumer food co-op with 16 store locations and over 118,000 member-owners. The discussion centers around how PCC acts on the first two pieces of the infamous triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Mike leads Anastasia through many PCC initiatives, including their efforts to protect the Puget Sound, their local and state public policy backings, and their unique program pairing food access organizations with local farms. Perfect for listeners interested in joining a movement greater than themselves.

Summer for That’s Rad, a podcast presented by the Littleton Co-op, can only mean one thing – it’s time for a trip! Host Anastasia is embarking on a cross-country road trip… with a twist. Listen in as Anastasia goes coast to coast to get the scoop on food co-ops across the country. What’s it like to be a co-op with over 100,000 member-owners? How does a co-op survive when there are eight other food co-ops in the same town? Do co-ops even exist in the South? And what, if anything, does the Littleton Food Co-op have in common with any of them? The road trip kicks off in America’s co-op hotspot: Minneapolis, MN. Anastasia stops and chats with Wedge Community Co-ops to talk about why people get involved in co-ops, the power co-ops have to support historically marginalized communities, and what they’re putting in the Minnesota drinking water to make it so dang cooperative. Plus, hear the inside scoop on how the power of cooperation raised awareness and a headline making donation for a Twin Cities organization in need. Best listened to with a kombucha in hand on a long drive.

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The Littleton Food Co-op is Littleton, NH’s only member-owned grocery store, featuring local produce, hot prepared foods, a full-service deli, bulk foods, craft beer and wine, and a quality grocery selection. The Co-op exists to serve its members and broader community through a range of standard and unique foods, offered at a fair price, with outstanding service. The Littleton Food Co-op is not owned by one person, but by over 10,000 member-owners choosing to invest in a successful local food system. Membership is not required to shop; everyone is welcome. Conveniently located just off Exit 41 in Littleton. Cooperate more at littletoncoop.com.

On this episode of That’s Rad, a podcast presented by the Littleton Food Co-op, we’re kicking off summer with a big scoop of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream. Or, should we say *THE* big scoop, as Gifford’s CEO Lindsay Skilling sits down for an interview. Skilling is a fifth-generation ice cream maker in the Gifford family, overseeing day-to-day operations and growth of the company, along with her siblings and cousin. She and Anastasia talk about what it was like “growing up Gifford,” what makes the Maine-based company and product so special, and why it has won the hearts of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Portland Sea Dogs, and New Englanders alike. They also take a look back at Gifford's devastating 2023 factory fire, and discuss the state of recovery today. Listeners will be left with a message about the importance of family, doing work you care about, and to never take a scoop of ice cream for granted. Warning: cravings for Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream will occur, proceed with caution.

The Littleton Food Co-op is a proud retailer and supporter of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream and hundreds of other New England food brands. As the first and only consumer-owned food co-op in northern New Hampshire, Littleton Co-op exists to serve the needs of its members and the greater North Country community. While everyone is welcome to join the membership base of over 11,000 folks committed to promoting healthy choices for people and planet, membership is not required to shop at the store. Visit us in cozy Littleton, New Hampshire or online at littletoncoop.com. See ya at the Co-op!

You know how the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers. Well, in the TRPU (That’s Rad Podcasting Universe), April showers bring a springtime episode with Peacham Lavender Farm! On this episode of That’s Rad, a podcast presented by the Littleton Food Co-op, host Anastasia sits down with Cindy and Dan of Peacham Lavender Farm. Not only does Cindy and Dan’s story leave you daydreaming of expansive rolling fields of fragrant purple, but gives you a behind the scenes look at the sweat, tears, and bee stings that go into producing this ubiquitous purple herb. That’s right – herb. And that work doesn’t even factor in the added challenges of growing in Vermont, facing climate change, and pushing against the current of all who said Cindy’s dream could not come true. This episode pairs perfectly with your favorite bouquet and a glass of lemonade. Enjoy!