This week’s Member Deal Spotlight features a producer we’re proud to have on our shelves: Big Picture Farm, a goat dairy and farmstead confectionery located in Townshend, Vermont. Their focus on environmental stewardship, humane treatment of animals, and thoughtfully made food makes them a natural fit for our community of shoppers. And from April 16-22, Members enjoy 20% off their delicious line of products.
Photo courtesy of Big Picture Farm
Big Picture Farm was founded by Louisa Conrad and Lucas Farrell—artists who became farmers with a vision of raising goats and making something meaningful from their milk. Their small herd of pasture-raised goats is at the center of their operation, and you’ll see them (the goats) featured proudly on their packaging. Each one has a name and personality, and the farmers make it clear they’re the heart of the farm.
Sustainable and Humane from the Start
The farm is solar-powered, uses zero-waste packaging, and holds Certified Animal Welfare Approved status—one of the highest animal welfare standards out there. Their goats spend their lives outdoors on pasture, and the team is deeply committed to making choices that are good for the land, the animals, and the people who enjoy their caramels.
Photo courtesy of Big Picture Farm
Award-Winning, for Good Reason
Big Picture Farm has earned multiple national awards, including several Good Food Awards and Best Confection at the Fancy Food Show. Their Sea Salt & Vanilla caramel is a classic, but they offer a range of rotating seasonal flavors, too—each one rich, creamy, and a little bit addictive.
Photo courtesy of Big Picture Farm
20% off for Members April 16-22
Now’s a great time to try them (or stock up) while they’re on sale for members. Whether you’re picking up a treat for yourself or a gift for someone else, these are the kind of sweets you can feel good about.
If you’ve shopped with us this week, you might have noticed something different: the big sale display at the front of the store is gone! After many years of service, we’ve officially retired that setup and rolled out a new system that’s all about making it easier to spot deals, shop produce, and move through the store more comfortably.
Here’s a look at what’s changed:
Sales Are Now in the Aisles
Instead of pulling sale items to the front of the store, we’re now featuring sale items right in the aisles where they normally live. That means:
More space to expand our produce section
Less crowding at the store entrance
More sale items featured throughout the store
Now you’ll find great prices exactly where you’d expect to—on the shelf next to your favorite products. No more navigating bottlenecks or checking the front for deals—we’re bringing them to you, where you already shop.
Two Flyers to Keep You in the Know
To support this new approach, we’ve launched two flyers designed to bring you more relevant and up-to-date deals:
This flyer now includes only products we actually carry, so you can shop with confidence knowing that everything listed is right here in our store. It’s still full of great prices, but now it’s tailored just for MNFC.
This new one-page flyer comes out every Wednesday and features fresh, short-notice deals from departments like meat, cheese, deli, dairy, and produce. These are the kind of deals that are hard to plan in advance—but too good to miss!
Both flyers are available at the front of the store, near the restrooms, in the flyer racks located just outside the front door and inside the store.
You Might Be Wondering…
“Why did you remove the front sale display?” We needed more room for produce, and the front display had become a traffic jam. Now, we’re able to spread out the deals and make shopping easier and more pleasant throughout the store.
“Are Member Deals and coupons still available?” Absolutely! Member Deals are still going strong, and Addison Independent coupons are still in use—they just now follow the same Wednesday–Tuesday sales cycle as everything else.
“Where can I find the flyers now?” Flyers are still easy to find—look for them near the new signage at the front of the store, near the restrooms, on the sandwich board outside, and online.
We’re Excited About What’s Next
This new system helps us offer more deals in more places, make better use of our space, and bring even more attention to the producers, products, and savings that matter most to you.
Love the new look? Not quite sure how you feel yet? Let us know! You can leave your thoughts in the customer comment box located at the customer service desk.
Coffee prices have been creeping upward, and many of you have been asking why. While the increase at the register has so far been modest, it reflects a deeper and more complex set of global issues. At the center are climate change, supply chain instability, and the structure of the international commodity market—all of which affect the people who grow your coffee, the organizations that import it, and ultimately, your morning cup.
Here’s a closer look at what’s happening.
Image courtesy of Equal Exchange
The New Reality for Coffee Farmers
In recent years, extreme weather events have significantly disrupted coffee-growing regions around the globe. According to the International Coffee Organization, droughts, frosts, and other climate-related events have reduced yields by 20–30% in key producing countries like Brazil, Honduras, and Ethiopia. As climate change accelerates, these events are becoming more frequent and more severe.
At the same time, global demand for coffee continues to rise, with consumption in emerging markets and established ones alike growing steadily. The result is a basic economic equation: less supply + more demand = higher prices.
In early 2025, the benchmark price for green (unroasted) coffee—known as the C price—reached an all-time high, peaking above $4.30 per pound in February. Although the price has fluctuated since then, it has remained well above historic averages, contributing to ongoing volatility and long-term uncertainty for producers and importers alike.
Not All Coffee Is Traded the Same
That volatility has ripple effects throughout the supply chain—but not all supply chains are structured the same way.
Many of the coffees we carry at the Co-op come from mission-driven companies likeEqual Exchange, which operate outside the traditional commodity market model by working directly with small-scale farmer cooperatives in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. These partnerships are built to give farmers more agency in pricing and greater economic security.
When global prices fall, Equal Exchange guarantees a minimum “floor price,” helping to protect growers from market crashes and volatility. And when prices rise, they don’t try to bargain farmers down. Instead, Equal Exchange offers farmer cooperatives a window of time during which they can choose the most favorable moment to lock in a price. This approach gives producers real flexibility and bargaining power—allowing them to benefit from a strong market rather than being subject to it.
This strategy not only creates more stability, it also ensures that more of the money spent on coffee ends up with the people who grow it. These alternative supply chains are designed to absorb shocks and share risk more equitably. Rather than relying on speculative pricing or middlemen, they prioritize long-term relationships, pre-purchasing, and community investment.
What It Means for You, the Customer
The effects of the global coffee crisis have begun to show up at the Co-op—but to a lesser extent than many anticipated. Prices for some bulk coffees have increased. For example, Dean’s Beans bulk coffee recently went up by about $2 per pound. We’ve also had to raise our Equal Exchange bulk coffee price by $1.
Still, thanks to the sourcing relationships we’ve built—and the long-term contracts many of our partners have in place—we’ve been able to avoid major price spikes. That’s one of the strengths of working within a values-driven supply chain.
More importantly, these increases reflect real efforts to support farming communities, not to increase profits for shareholders. Every dollar goes further when it supports producers directly.
Image Courtesy of Equal Exchange
What’s at Stake
Coffee is a daily ritual for many of us—but it’s also the livelihood of more than 125 million people worldwide, most of whom are smallholder farmers. As the climate changes and market pressures mount, the decisions we make as buyers—both individual and institutional—have growing significance.
At the Co-op, we choose to partner with suppliers who are working toward a more equitable, transparent, and sustainable coffee system. That means paying fairly, honoring long-term commitments, and advocating for economic justice in a volatile global market.
Questions? Let’s Talk.
We know that many of you care deeply about where your coffee comes from—and we’re always happy to share what we know. If you have questions about sourcing, pricing, or supply chains, just ask. We believe transparency and trust are at the heart of good food—and good coffee.
Could your wellness routine use a Spring makeover? Check out Vermont Sun! They’re our featured Co-op Connection Business this month and they offer 50% off their enrollment fee to Co-op member-owners!
Vermont Sun has been keeping our community fit since 1985. Whether you’re visiting their facilities in Middlebury or Vergennes, you’ll find their clubs geared up with the essential elements of a great workout. Their fitness equipment vendors are the best in the industry, and their club owners stay current with the latest technology! They offer a wide variety of cardio, strength, and free weight equipment to ensure that you get the best possible workout.
FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMING
Both Vermont Sun locations are open Monday thru Friday 6 am-8 pm, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am-4 pm. This includes the pool as well! Vermont Sun’s two thousand square foot exercise room features a cushioned hardwood floor and is fully air-conditioned. Their top of the line sound system provides amazing sound quality for all group fitness classes. All group fitness classes are included in most memberships at no extra charge. Find their class schedule on their website.
Their facilities also offer racquetball courts, saunas, and indoor pools for lap swimming, rehab, or recreation.
Need help to ease safely back into a workout routine? Or maybe you’re just looking to set some new fitness and nutrition goals and could use a professional guide? Vermont Sun offers Personal Training services and Nutritional Counseling from a knowledgeable staff of certified, credentialed specialists.
In short, Vermont Sun has everything you need to help make your fitness goals a reality! Stop in and find out for yourself why they are voted the #1 Fitness Center in the region year after year! And don’t forget to tell them you’re a Co-op member-owner!
Our Member Deals Spotlight shines brightly this week on Klinger’s Bakery! From March 20 – 26th, member-owners can enjoy 20% off their full line of local fresh-baked artisan bread! Read on to learn more about this Burlington-based bakery and their time-honored baking traditions:
Rustic, Healthy, Hearty, Crusty, Chewy, Flavorful…
Just a few words overheard to describe the artisan breads of Klinger’s. Their hearth-baked breads were proudly brought to Vermont in 1993 by the Klingebiel families of Williston, Vermont and Salem, New York.
These flavorful, authentic European-style breads were developed by one of America’s premier artisan bakers. Their bakers have been thoroughly trained in the methods and subtleties of bread baking. The breads are made from starters which are allowed to develop over a thirty-hour period. Visit the bakery and watch their bread crafters at work. Amidst floured tables, you will see them mix the finest ingredients, hand shape loaves, and bake them with care in their French brick oven.
Klinger’s is proud to bring you the rustic, homemade taste of their signature artisan breads. Their goal is to produce breads with character and integrity, to make your mouth water with the aroma of loaves fresh from the oven, and to share the products of their labor with you again and again.
Looking for ways to support BIPOC farmers and producers? Woman-owned businesses? LGBTQIA+ businesses? Veteran-owned businesses? Businesses owned by persons with disabilities? Look for the Inclusive Trade logo!
Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op has partnered with the National Co-operative Grocers (NCG) to highlight diversity throughout our supply chain.
“NCG believes supply chains should include a seat at the table for systemically underrepresented populations. Supplier diversity promotes greater innovation, a healthier competitive environment, and more equitably distributed benefits among all community members. NCG is committed to doing our part to create a more just society by cultivating partnerships with businesses owned by people who identify as women, Black, indigenous, people of color (POC), LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, and veterans.”
Our Co-op celebrates inclusive trade and features a lineup products from Inclusive Trade businesses. Look for the logo throughout the store, and grab a flyer with a full list of Inclusive Trade products.
Nestled in the hills of Huntington, VT, Krin’s Bakery has been bringing people together with delicious, handcrafted treats since 2005 – and from February 6-12, Member-Owners can enjoy 20% off Krin’s full line of local confections at the Co-op!
Krin’s Bakery is run by artisan baker Krin Barberi. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, her treats—like chewy cookies, cupcakes piled high with frosting, classic Italian biscotti, and chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons—are made with time-honored recipes and simple, fresh ingredients. Krin’s baked goods are perfect for every occasion—packed in a lunchbox, paired with coffee, or shared at a celebration.
Krin is dedicated to supporting Vermont’s local food system through her work as a baker. She sources ingredients from nearby farms, orchards, and local distributors, recognizing that these partnerships help sustain the small businesses that are vital to the region. Her passion for local food and community stems from her New England upbringing, where food was a way to bring people together. By choosing local whenever possible, Krin ensures that her bakery continues to support and celebrate the community that inspires her work.
Carrying the weight of the world in your neck and shoulders? Craving a moment to breathe and reconnect? Otter Creek Yoga, this month’s Co-op Connection featured business, is here to help. Co-op member-owners enjoy their first class free—just let them know you’re a member!
For over 20 years, Otter Creek Yoga has been a cornerstone of healing and self-discovery in Addison County. As the area’s first yoga studio, they continue to offer a peaceful space for relaxation and growth. Located in Middlebury’s historic Marbleworks, their bright, serene studio hosts classes throughout the day, evening, and weekends for all levels of experience—no prior yoga experience required.
Their dedicated team of seven certified instructors, led by founder and director Joanna Colwell, teaches a range of yoga styles to fit different needs. If you’re unsure where to start, send them an e-mail or give them a call—they’re happy to help guide you to the right class. Or explore on your own; click here to explore the schedule and class descriptions.
Otter Creek Yoga is also deeply committed to accessibility and inclusion. Through their Yoga Equity Project, individuals who are part of the global majority (BIPOC) can access free yoga classes or even receive compensation for attending. This eight-week Gentle Yoga Series, led by Sasha Finnell, fosters an inclusive and nurturing environment designed for comfort, healing, and community.
To learn more or register for the series, reach out to Joanna directly.
Whether you’re new to yoga or a long-time practitioner, Otter Creek Yoga welcomes you to reconnect with yourself and your community.
If you’ve shopped for eggs recently, you’ve probably notice an increase in price.
The rising cost of eggs is a reflection of a national shortage caused by the devastating impacts of avian influenza, which has drastically reduced egg supplies across the country. While Vermont’s commercial flocks have largely been spared, the increased demand for local eggs has placed unprecedented pressure on producers, driving up their costs. As a result, the price we pay for eggs has risen substantially over a very short period. We want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to navigate this challenging situation with fairness, transparency, and care for both our customers and our local producers.
At the Co-op, we have chosen to subsidize the cost of eggs as much as possible to keep them accessible to everyone in our community. This means that while our prices may still reflect the broader market pressures, we are intentionally absorbing some of the costs to help protect our customers during this time. Our goal is to strike a careful balance between maintaining accessibility and ensuring the sustainability of the local producers we all rely on.
We have a long-standing commitment to paying all of our producers fairly. As egg prices rise, we continue to pay local farmers more—not just to match the market but to ensure they have the financial stability to weather future challenges. Just as we supported farmers after this summer’s floods by purchasing whatever they could sell at whatever the asking price, we are now standing by our egg producers to ensure they can survive and continue to provide us with the food we depend on.
We want to be clear: any price increases you see are not arbitrary. They are the result of market realities beyond our control. Our commitment to you remains the same: to provide high-quality food at a fair and thoughtful price while prioritizing the long-term well-being of our community, our customers, and our farmers.
Being a member of this Co-op means more than just being a shopper—it means being part of a community that stands by its values, even when times are tough–especially when times are tough. We’re not just weathering this challenge – we’re making conscious choices to build a stronger, more resilient food system for the future. We deeply appreciate your understanding, trust, and support as we work through this together.
We’re casting our Co-op Spotlight on Bob’s Red Mill this week to shed a little light on this employee-owned business that has been offering stone-milled grains for over 40 years. Member-owners can enjoy 20% off all of Bob’s Red Mill products this week (January 2-8). Read on to learn more about their unique business model and their commitment to using traditional stone milling techniques to deliver healthy high-quality grain products to store shelves.
At Bob’s Red Mill, they believe that quality can’t be rushed. That’s why they manufacture their products using time-honored techniques, like grinding whole grains at cool temperatures with a traditional stone mill. Their beautiful stone grinding mills are much like the ones used during early Roman times and unlike the more commonly used high-speed steel rollers, their mills ensure the most nutritious parts of the whole grain remain intact. It was these beautiful antique grinding mills that first inspired founder Bob Moore to start Bob’s Red Mill over 40 years ago.
An Employee-Owned Business
On Bob’s 81st birthday, rather than receiving gifts, he decided to give his greatest gift away – his business! Bob surprised all of his employees by giving them total ownership of Bob’s Red Mill through an employee stock ownership program (ESOP). Bob didn’t extend this gesture as a means to step away from the company he had created so he could ease into a comfortable retirement. He did so because of his firm belief in putting people before profit, and giving due appreciation to the people who’ve made a company strong. Despite hundreds of lucrative offers to buy his company as he approached “retirement age”, Bob chose the rare path of putting people first and gifted his company to his dedicated, hard-working staff.
Milling, Testing, Packaging, & Distributing Under One Roof
The folks at Bob’s Red Mill knew from day one that if they wanted to ensure the best products possible and ensure quality every step of the way that they’d have to be able to do it themselves. Their facilities in Milwaukie, Oregon include the 325,000 sq ft headquarters, laboratory, and manufacturing plant, plus a 127,000 sq ft distribution center! Their gluten-free products are produced and tested in their separate gluten-free-only facilities to ensure product safety.
Bob and his wife Charlee at the Bob’s Red Mill Headquarters
Sourcing the Finest Products From Their Farms to Your Table
At Bob’s Red Mill, the relationship with the final product begins at the source. They maintain personal relationships with farmers across the country and make an effort to visit their farms. Together, they are able to ensure that they’re offering the best product available, while always using best practices.
