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

English (Global)

Rebecca Joy Henrietta White

Director of Public and Government Affairs

Allan Reetz

#475569

Topics range from food and nutrition to mental health services for farmers.

Rep. Annie Kuster Chairs Food System Meeting at Hanover Co-op

This week, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) met with Hanover Co-op Food Stores and agriculture representatives to tour the cooperative's Lebanon location.

Super-Majority Opportunity Leads to Big Ticket Bills in Vermont. As Vermont lawmakers approach this session's adjournment on May 12th, the House and the Senate have yet to align their budgets and top priorities.

A State Divided on Paid Family and Medical Leave

House lawmakers have rallied and united to provide an equitable Universal Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Program to replace Governor Scott's opt-in program, set to roll out in phases through 2025. Their efforts crafted House Bill 66 (H. 66), a universal program that provides coverage for leave related to: health conditions, parental and bonding leave for newborns, adopted, and foster children, bereavement, caregiving for a family member or loved one, safe leave for survivors of domestic abuse, and military exigence leave. The bill has been criticized for its large administrative price tag, dog-earing $37 million for its first year. Governor Scott, who has twice vetoed PFML programs sent to his desk, also sites out-of-pocket cost for working Vermonters and overall state tax capacity as the primary issue with the programs.

The promise of mechanical-separation of food from packaging comes with a cost.

Expanding Reach of Depackaging Threatens Agricultural Land Integrity

As more cases of acute PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination are discovered in working farmland across Maine, Michigan, and New Mexico, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is revising the state's guidelines around food diversion and solid waste management. The mounting evidence of harm that contaminated land treatments, including composts made from industrial ingredients and end waste sludge have increased regulating bodies' focus on management practices for solid and food waste.

'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'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.

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

Co-op Round-Up Program Hits $1 Million

The Hanover Co-op'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.

Rep. Annie Kuster Chairs Food System Meeting at Hanover Co-op

A State Divided on Paid Family and Medical Leave

Expanding Reach of Depackaging Threatens Agricultural Land Integrity

Hanover Co-op Earns Top Community Award

Hanover Co-op Board Selects Next GM

Cornucopia Highlights Hanover Co-op's Commitment to Local

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

Wage Boost Comes Early for Hanover Co-op Employees

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

Co-op Round-Up Program Hits $1 Million

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Rebecca Joy Henrietta White

Public & Government Affairs Associate, Hanover Co-op Food Stores & Auto Service Centers

Allan Reetz

Director of Public and Government Affairs, Hanover Co-op Food Stores & Auto Service Centers

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