When visiting Downtown Ticonderoga, you will find a gem of a store in the Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op. This member-owned co-operative market is much more than meets the eye. The Co-op is truly a one-stop-shop for visitors and locals alike for groceries, specialty products, bulk items, craft beers, gift items, and more.
The local farmers and vendors are part of what makes the Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op a central place to shop. There’s fresh produce from Daughter’s 5 Farm in Crown Point, fresh meat from Lillie Valley Farm in Putnam Station, fresh baked breads and pastries from Crown Point Bakery in Crown Point, local maple syrup from Buck Mountain Maple Syrup in Crown Point, artisanal mustards, relishes, and jams by Naturally Thyme in Ticonderoga, CBD products by Vermont Pure CBD located in Shoreham, Vermont, and many more!
On Saturdays, you can even snag fresh fish! Seafood Run, out of Lake George, delivers a bevy of seafood fresh from Providence, Rhode Island, including salmon, cod, clams, oysters, haddock, sole, even swordfish! You can try your luck with what is in store, or you can call the Co-op and place your seafood order in advance.
A fairly new offering at the Co-op is their café seating. It is the perfect place to settle down with one of their grab and go options, connect to their complimentary Wifi, and relax for a bit. The Co-op’s grab and go options vary from prepared salads, sandwiches, snacks, and soups (the soup special of the day is updated on their Facebook and Instagram regularly). Fresh brewed coffee is also available upon request.
Once again this year, visitors will be able to find the Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op as a regular vendor at the Ticonderoga Area Farmers Market. In order to compliment what the local farmers and producers bring, the Co-op will supply a wonderful selection of iced and hot coffee, baked goods, and prepared foods.
Since its inception, the Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op has become a true partner throughout the region, helping lead the way for our community members and visitors alike to have many opportunities for healthy living. The Co-op can be found as part of Adirondack Harvest’s Adirondack Cuisine Trails. These trails showcase local food and agriculture producers. Check out the Champlain Valley Cuisine Trail! The Co-op also accepts SNAP benefits, Wellness RX vouchers offered through University of Vermont Health Network, and is a partner of the new North Country Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program through Cornell Cooperative Extension. Each month, the Co-op highlights a local non-profit organization at their register. Customers are given the opportunity to “round up” or donate to show their support. The Co-op even partners with local mothers by offering a lactation room for anyone who may need the space while in the area. Most importantly, the co-op is one of the best partners for our local farmers as it is one of the few regional options for them to sell their products other than their own stands.
What makes a co-op unique to a traditional grocery store is that fact that it is member owned. While the Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op welcomes all to shop there, members enjoy special discounts, a monthly member discount day, and the pride in knowing they own part of their own grocery store! One neat advantage of spending your money at the Co-op is that money then multiplies in your community. The Co-op can purchase products from local vendors, hire employees from within the community, and continue to reinvest each dollar and more that is spent back into the region.
The Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op’s mission is to be your community marketplace for local food & specialty products. They accomplish this by providing fairly priced products that support a healthy lifestyle, supporting a sustainable regional food system, and promoting learning, partnership, and economic vitality. They have truly become a community within a community. Offering a wide range of goods and products. Be sure to stop in when you’re in the Ticonderoga Area, you won’t be disappointed!
While visiting the Ticonderoga Area, the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce is available to help you plan every step of your trip. For more information call 518-585-6619 or go to www.ticonderogany.com