The Hanover Co-op Food Stores&mdash;also known as the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society&mdash;is owned by more than 24,000 members. The Co-op seeks to build a well-nourished community cultivated through cooperation. From its founding in 1936 by 17 Dartmouth College professors and their spouses, the Hanover Co-op is now one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the United States. In recent years, this business has served more than 5,000 customers a day. For more than 85 years, this cooperative has stood by its founding commitment to buying locally produced food and goods. From locations in New Hampshire and Vermont, this consumer-owned business generates sales of $85 million annually from three grocery stores, a community market, and two auto service centers.

Hanover Co-op Food Stores

The Hanover Co-op Food Stores&mdash;also known as the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society&mdash;is owned by more than 24,000 members. The Co-op seeks to...

Director of Public and Government Affairs

English (Global)

Allan Reetz

#374151

'Social responsibility' honor spotlights Co-op's prominent and behind-the-scenes impact

Hanover Co-op Earns Top Community Award

At the Hanover Co-op Food Stores and Auto Service Centers, corporate social responsibility takes many forms. Based on its long history of such community impact, the 86-year-old cooperative recently received the 2022 Cornerstone Award from New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR).

Co-op names first woman to lead its 86-year-old business

Hanover Co-op Board Selects Next GM

Amanda Charland of Hartland, Vermont will become the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society’s seventh general manager since its founding in 1936.

Co-op's support for small dairy farms attracts national spotlight.

Cornucopia Highlights Hanover Co-op's Commitment to Local

This article appears in the 2021/2022 Winter Edition of The Cornucopia Institute’s eNews. The Cornucopia Institute engages in educational activities supporting the ecological principles and economic knowledge underlying sustainable and organic agriculture. It is republished here by permission.

Aggressive timeline aligns with board's long-term vision

Hanover Co-op Board Plans Net-Zero Emissions by 2030

Following decades of environmental programs and initiatives, the Co-op’s board announced an ambitious effort to move from individual programs to a strategic process aimed at reducing emissions to net-zero in the next nine years. This action by the Hanover Co-op’s board is an example of how the directors have established a long-term vision which builds upon the Co-op’s numerous giving programs, socially responsible business practices, and the assistance to other cooperatives. By setting this Zero-by-30 goal, the Co-op’s concern for the environment becomes a board and business priority with data-driven milestones and a clear goal line.

Co-op plan offers $15 Minimum Wage Beginning Oct. 3

Wage Boost Comes Early for Hanover Co-op Employees

The fourth quarter of 2021 marks the initial phase of a complete overhaul to the Hanover Co-op’s compensation structure. Starting with an increase of its base pay rate — to $15 per hour — the Co-op ranks its compensation overhaul as “one of the most comprehensive wage initiatives” it has ever undertaken. The higher-rate milestone arrives two-years ahead of schedule.

Collaboration also praised for environmental benefits

Hanover Co-op and Willing Hands Earn Award for Hunger Relief Work

New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) has named the Hanover Co-op Food Stores and Willing Hands as its Partnership for Innovation recipients for 2021. This statewide honor recognizes partnerships that demonstrate the power of collaborative action for community impact. The award was presented at NHBSR&#39;s spring conference. Founded in 2004, the idea to start Willing Hands grew from Co-op employee Peter Phippen’s concern that edible fruit and vegetables — which fell just short of the cooperative’s high standards for quality — were thrown in the dumpster. He sought to give that produce to community members who lack access to healthy food.

New directors and officers to be seated May 26

Hanover Co-op Announces Board Election Results

The Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society’s 2021 Board of Directors election is now complete. Elected board members include Jennifer Byrne, Lyme, New Hampshire; Rosemary Fifield, Thetford, Vermont; Conicia Jackson, Bethel, Vermont; Ryan Madden, Hartford, Vermont; and Orin Pacht, Thetford, Vermont. These board members will be seated, and the full board will choose its officers for the coming year at the Hanover Co-op’s next board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 5:15 p.m. All Co-op members are welcome to attend via Zoom. Learn more and register here: https://coopfoodstore.coop/board-meetings

Customer-donated "pocket change" now hard at work for local nonprofits

Co-op Round-Up Program Hits $1 Million

The Hanover Co-op&#39;s popular round-up program, Pennies for Change, hit a major milestone—more than $1 million donated directly to Upper Valley nonprofits since June 2016. This award-winning program enables customers to round up the cost of their purchase to the next whole dollar. Over the past four years, the compounding impact of those small contributions has been strengthening local organizations of every size.

Hanover Co-op series brings local food stories to consumers

Pandemic, Local Food Security Spur Podcast Launch

The impact Covid-19 had on food supplies was rapid and remains profound. Breakdowns in national food production and distribution hurt communities large and small. Yet, in regions with an established local food economy, farmers and food producers kept food flowing to local residents. Northern New England is one such region. Farmers and food producers stayed on the job to keep to local food sheds secure and productive, despite clear health risks mixed with confusing reports about the pandemic&#39;s impact. These stalwarts of the community earned the classification, “first responder.” The pivotal response of these small-scale food producers and farmers inspired the launch of a new podcast series produced by the Hanover Co-op. Titled Local Food Factors, this series aims to tell the story of the people, policies, and practices that determine how well consumers eat.

Small businesses navigate uncertainty on road back from Covid closures

Hanover Co-op Adds Insight to 'New York Times' Story

So many small businesses are unsure what to expect now that stay-at-home orders are being lifted. New York Times journalist Amy Haimerl provides a needed look at questions that small business owners face as they consider reopening their doors. In her June 18 New York Times article, What It Takes to Reopen a Small Business Right Now, Amy provides lessons for businesses of all sizes. As a business that remained open, she sought insights from what we learned over recent weeks and months. There is much to be understood from the nuance of risk-taking -- whether a business never closed, or is one which may close permanently. Ms. Haimerl gives readers a window into decisions made by individuals who, collectively, are the engine of our economy.

Long-time WRJ store manager cited by 'Progressive Grocer' Magazine

Co-op’s Cathy Moloney Earns National Honor

CHICAGO -- Progressive Grocer announced its Top Women in Grocery for 2020. Among that list of “61 extraordinary women…who join the ranks of the Top Women in Grocery,” is Cathy Moloney of Hartford, Vermont. According to the magazine, “These women strengthen the retail food industry at many levels, within both the retailer and supplier communities.” Progressive Grocer is a 98-year old trade publication that covers the gamut of retail grocery news. Its editors highlighted Moloney’s impact on her store’s profitability, community commitment, and environmental stewardship as reasons for including her among this year&#39;s honorees.

Co-op Curbside Pilot underway, next phase set for April 9; Changes to store hours also set for 4/9

Hanover Co-op Announces Curbside Pickup Launch & New Hours

All locations of the Hanover Co-op Food Stores continue to be open for regular shopping. As of Friday, April 3, a pilot program of the cooperative’s new curbside pick-up option is underway ONLY at its Hanover Store at 45 South Park. For details on changes to general shopping hours at all locations, see below. The official launch of the Hanover Co-op’s first phase of curbside pickup feels like a long-time coming for everyone…especially our team members who’ve been working countless hours to build a successful program. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, preordering and curbside pickup at this 45 S. Park Street location will expand in phases beginning Thursday, April 9. After that date, the plan is to offer it Thursday–Saturday each week just at the Hanover store. We&#39;ll expand to other days and other Co-op locations as we build capacity. We’re committed to grow this program carefully to ensure that every employee serving our curbside effort has the training and tools to meet expected demand. Product selection will be limited to common staple items in Dairy, Meat, and Produce. Products and options will be limited or increase based on availability from our vendors. Co-op leadership decided a deliberate approach to the rollout was prudent. They knew a quick rollout of curbside programs may work well in tiny-store formats, yet Hanover Co-op managers also knew an organization like ours needed a plan to sync with our large-scale operation. So, they rapidly established a team whose sole job was -- and remains -- this project. They mapped out a path to support employees handling the orders, and obtained the tools needed to serve customers. With a sense of urgency, everyone on the team knew we needed to be quick, but not rush. We took lessons-learned from curbside programs around the country and got busy. That brings us to the launch of this important service. All members are welcome to participate, but please know we will limit participation in the coming weeks to avoid overloading this new system. Details to remember: Beginning Monday, April 6, members may fill out an online form found at this link to add their name to our waiting list. As we expand, we will contact members on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting April 9, we anticipate opening curbside pickup to the next round of members on the waiting list. The range of limited products will stay the same in the coming weeks, expanding only at a rate that ensures product availability and that can be properly handled by our curbside team. Until further notice, this program will only be available at our Hanover Co-op Food Store at 45 S. Park Street. How Curbside Pickup Will Work Once enrolled in the program, call (603) 640-6303 from 8 a.m. to noon to place an order and schedule a pickup. Pickups will be available in 2-hour time slots from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Payment will be processed at curbside. Pay by credit or debit card. Who is Eligible Curbside pickup is currently available to members only. Not a member? Learn how to become one here. Questions? For questions, call (603) 640-6303 or email groceries2go@coopfoodstore.com. NEW HOURS FOR ALL HANOVER CO-OP FOOD STORE LOCATIONS START 4/9: Effective Thursday, April 9th, we will be adjusting store hours to enable our employees to have more time to stock the shelves and allow for greater social distancing. Specifically, our four stores will open at 8 am. Our high risk shoppers as determined by the CDC will see their time to shop extended by 30 minutes so they can shop from 8 am to 9:30 am each day. This will enable them to move around the store in a less hurried and crowded fashion. Store closing hours will remain at 6 pm for three of our fours stores; Hanover, White River and our Co-op Community Market. NOTE: Our Co-op’s Lebanon location at 12 Centerra Marketplace will remain open until 9 pm at each day, with the final hour of 8 – 9 reserved for medical, health care, and first-responder shoppers only. This notice posted April 3, 2020