Membership

Tangible benefits of membership include:

Our Welcome Kit, with posters, stickers, and more!
Regular news and event updates
FREE listings in our online member directory — a fun, frequented source for locally owned and independent businesses, artists, nonprofits, and farms
Opportunity to profile your business or organization’s commitment to community and environment
Member decals, to identify your business as locally owned
Use of the Local First Alliance name, logo, and messaging in your business or organization marketing
Collective marketing opportunities with television, radio, print, and online outreach for Alliance membership
Free or reduced price admission to networking and educational events

Plus, new member benefits and opportunities are added every day! What’s your idea for a better community? We’d love to hear. Contact us today to discuss ideas for new resources or services to make it easier to think local first.

Member
Levels

Find Your Membership Level

Business and organization members of Local First Alliance enjoy the opportunity to:

Leverage the power of collective advertising, education, and outreach.
Meet and do business with other Local First members.
Identify with community stewardship and a strong regional brand.

Membership Criteria

For businesses, are you…?

Interested in and able to buy materials, products and services from other locally owned businesses in the area or broader region?
Privately held (not publicly traded)?
Registered in the state of New Hampshire or Vermont, with no corporate or national headquarters outside of the respective state?
Able to make independent decisions regarding name and appearance, as well as all business purchasing, supply, and distribution practices?
At least 50% of ownership lives within Local First Alliance’s 69-town service area?

For nonprofit organizations, are you…?

Interested in and able to buy materials, products and services from other locally owned businesses in the area or broader region?
Incorporated or fiscally sponsored in the state of New Hampshire or Vermont?
Leadership (advisory body, board, staff) has autonomous authority over all operational decisions?
At least 50% of leadership (advisory body, board, staff) lives within Local First Alliance’s 69-town service area?

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Member Login

Download member materials.

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Local First Alliance Members

Co-op Food Stores: Nourish. Cultivate. Cooperate.

Since 1936 The Co-op Food Stores has been nourishing our community through their stores, educational activities, and community support. The co-op is [...]

King Arthur Flour is the BOM!

Introducing a new way to celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses: Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM)! T [...]

Hats for Whatever Shape Your Head is In

The Fat Hat corner in Quechee is a land mark most Upper Valley residents know. The funky old car, the lawn art, and now featuring Chef Brad's Crazy S [...]

Local First Alliance Lunch & Learn Series

Local First Alliance Member Professional Development & Networking Opportunity Lunch & Learn Series - Bring or buy a lunch and learn from [...]

Member Spotlight – Jake’s Market & Deli and Jake’s Coffee Company

Member Spotlight- Jake's Market & Deli and Jake's Coffee Company As you travel around the Upper Valley it is likely that you have filled your b [...]

Welcome Fall with Local First Members

It's autumn in the Upper Valley once again, and Local First Alliance members King Arthur Flour and the Co-op Food Stores make it easy to welcome the [...]

Heat Local First: Lyme Green Heat

When Lyme native Morton Bailey started his business, Lyme Green Heat—a new member of Local First Alliance this year—he was just a guy in a truck [...]

Great Eastern Radio’s Community Cares Project

Local First Alliance member Great Eastern Radio, based in West Lebanon, owns 16 stations spanning Central Vermont, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, and [...]

Inspiring Positive Community: Village Green Publishing

Guest post by Jen MacMillen, Publisher The main question we must continue to ask ourselves is, “Why are we here doing what we do?” When we b [...]

King Arthur Flour Gives Back With Third Annual Bakers’ Harvest Festival

Local First Alliance not only loves to promote shopping locally, but we jump at the chance to showcase members who give back to the community. When yo [...]

Calendar

	October 2017
1	2 Way to Go! Challenge Way to Go! Challenge Starts: 12:00 am Ends: October 6, 2017 - 11:59 pm Location: Vermont statewide Description: VERMONT SCHOOLS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! JOIN US! New for 2017, Way To Go! Is focused on getting K–12 schools on board to battle carbon pollution head-on. You’ll get the tools you need to motivate your students, staff, and teachers to bike, walk, carpool or ride the bus to victory! Using transportation options, other than driving solo, helps us reach our goal of reducing 1 million lbs of carbon pollution in Vermont. That means cleaner air for everyone. Talk about an A+ for effort! More info at https://waytogovt.org More details... •	3	4	5	6 First Friday in White River Junction! First Friday in White River Junction! Starts: 9:00 pm Ends: October 7, 2017 - 2:00 am Location: White River Junction, VT Description: Join the businesses of downtown WRJ in celebrating the first Friday of the month! It changes every month but there is always something fun going on. Wine tastings, fashion shows, art exhibits, kids crafts, live music and so much more. Kim Souza, of the amazing store Revolution, is usually instrumental in announcing the line up so for more info send an email to info@shoptherev.com or go to www.shoptherev.com More details... •	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14 Traffic Skills 101 with League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101 with League of American Bicyclists Starts: 1:00 pm Ends: October 14, 2017 - 9:00 pm Location: Alexis Boss Tennis Center, 6 Summer St, Hanover, NH 03755, USA Description: Sign up for the “Traffic Skills 101” class tailored specifically for cyclists of all levels. Get more out of the time you spend on your bike, reduce your risk of negative interactions with cars and other road users. Learn how and why it is safer to “drive your bike like a car” in many situations, how to navigate safely through intersections, roundabouts, and much more. Even experienced cyclists will be amazed at what there is still to learn about safe cycling. Taught by League of American Bicyclist (LAB) certified instructors who are also seasoned cyclists, this 1-day class teaches the basics of safe cycling on roads & multi-use trails. Includes in-class & on-the-bike sessions, student workbook, and handouts. Preregistration required by Oct 6th, and class size limited. COST: $65 per person. DATE & TIME: Sat Oct 14th, 2017, 9:00am to 5:00pm LOCATION: Alexis Boss Tennis Center, 6 Summer Court, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH To Register & More Info: Contact class coordinator Paula Bedard at pbedard1@comcast.net or 603-204-7808. Preregistration required by Oct 6th. This class is also a prerequisite for the LAB LCI Seminar class. See www.bikeleague.org for more info. More details... •
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Vital Communities Program News

Upper Valley Food Hub Meeting

Does the Upper Valley Need a Shared Farm & Food Facility? Join us on September 26 to share your ideas at an Upper Valley Food Hub Meeting King Arthur Flour Bakery + Cafe Route 5 South, Norwich 4:30-6 pm Would a shared facility ...more

New Directors Join Vital Communities Board

Left to Right: Barbara Barry, Rick Mills, and Nancy Merrill In September we welcomed three new members to the Vital Communities Board of Directors. Barbara Barry, Rick Mills, and Nancy Merrill join 10 incumbent board members, as well ...more

Food Hub Meeting Notes

The goal of the activities during the food hub meeting was to collect information from participants about pain points in the food system and prioritization of uses/functions of a shared food/farm facility. You'll find a summary of ...more

Upper Valley Farm & Food Processing Resources

We hosted a well-attended food hub conversation at King Arthur Flour in September where more than 65 people engaged in conversations around the need for farm and food infrastructure in the Upper Valley. Below are processing ...more

Vital Communities & VT Climate Commission

This summer I got a call from Montpelier asking me to serve as the transportation representative on Governor Phil Scott’s Climate Action Commission. The 21-member Commission began with an August meeting and four public scoping sessions in September and early ...more

Farm to School Forum: King Arthur Flour Bake for Good Kids Program

Join Upper Valley Farm to School Network as we learn how to make the dough! King Arthur Flour Bake for Good Kids Program Kids LEARN to make bread from scratch. Math + science + reading + baking ...more

Chugga Chugga, Chugga Chugga, VTEN!

The Vermont Transportation Efficiency Network (VTEN), convened semi-annually by the Vital Communities Transportation Program, met on Monday, September 18 to discuss community-driven multi-modal improvements in Brattleboro and a new statewide transportation advocacy coalition. Eight attendees (including ...more

Local First Business of the Month

Introducing a new way to celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses: Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM)! Throughout the year we will be highlighting specific Local First Alliance members by celebrating with in-store promotions and engagement ...more

Everyday Bicycling Selfies

Some Upper Valley folks shared their new bike routines on Facebook and let us share them with you! Kim: "I borrowed my neighbor's bike and rode to work today. It wasn't that much fun, but someone's gotta ...more

Enter our Watershed Quest Challenge!

This summer we launched our 2017 Watershed Quest Challenge, designed to encourage YOU to get outside and explore your favorite Upper Valley pond, stream, river, or swimming hole—and write a Valley Quest! Watershed Quest submissions ...more

Welcome Our New Valley Quest Coordinator!

Lauren Griswold joined Vital Communities in May to coordinate Power of Produce (POP) clubs at Upper Valley farmers'markets and farm stands. This month she is transitioning into a new position as Valley Quest and Volunteer Coordinator as well as continuing in her role as the Valley Food ...more

Plug-In to Electric Vehicles at the Upper Valley Electric Vehicle Expo

Plug-In to Electric Vehicles at the Upper Valley Electric Vehicle Expo Vital Communities, Upper Valley Sierra Club, and volunteers from several Upper Valley energy committees are joining forces to host the Upper Valley Electric Vehicle Expo on Saturday, September 9, from 12 to ...more

30 Local Leaders Graduate from Leadership Upper Valley

Vital Communities celebrated its Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2017 on June 14, in a commencement ceremony at Harpoon Brewery. Thirty of the region’s emerging local leaders graduated from the 10-month professional and personal development ...more

Quest of the Month: Lake Morey

Last week, I brought my partner along to do the Lake Morey Quest in Fairlee, Vermont! It was a beautiful July evening, and after some food we headed to the Samuel Morey Elementary School to ...more

Closing Remarks for Heroes & Leaders from Markell Ripps

Thank you all for joining us to celebrate the young leaders who are being honored tonight, and thank you to Vital Communities for recognizing their important contributions to our community. It is so important to ...more

Meet the 2017 Heroes & Leaders Honorees

Merritt Patridge Merritt Patridge joined the Tuck School of Business in 2015, where she serves as Executive Director of the Center for Business, Government & Society. Prior to Tuck, Merritt worked at The Dartmouth Center ...more

Solar Expo in Lebanon 4/1

Solar Installers Expo Hosted by the Plainfield, Cornish, Lebanon, and Enfield Energy Committees Saturday, April 1 at 2 pm Kilton Library at 80 Main Street in West Lebanon (Contact mary.n.boyle@gmail.com for more information and to RSVP) Act now before Net Metering Tariffs change (and PV Solar ...more

Why Weatherize?

Many thanks to our friends at CATV and Emily Gardner for helping our Hartford Weatherize volunteer team film this hilarious video explaining why YOU should participate in Weatherize Upper Valley. Since Weatherize Upper Valley kicked off ...more

	October 2017
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2 Way to Go! Challenge Way to Go! Challenge Starts: 12:00 am Ends: October 6, 2017 - 11:59 pm Location: Vermont statewide Description: VERMONT SCHOOLS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! JOIN US! New for 2017, Way To Go! Is focused on getting K–12 schools on board to battle carbon pollution head-on. You’ll get the tools you need to motivate your students, staff, and teachers to bike, walk, carpool or ride the bus to victory! Using transportation options, other than driving solo, helps us reach our goal of reducing 1 million lbs of carbon pollution in Vermont. That means cleaner air for everyone. Talk about an A+ for effort! More info at https://waytogovt.org More details... •	3	4	5	6 First Friday in White River Junction! First Friday in White River Junction! Starts: 9:00 pm Ends: October 7, 2017 - 2:00 am Location: White River Junction, VT Description: Join the businesses of downtown WRJ in celebrating the first Friday of the month! It changes every month but there is always something fun going on. Wine tastings, fashion shows, art exhibits, kids crafts, live music and so much more. Kim Souza, of the amazing store Revolution, is usually instrumental in announcing the line up so for more info send an email to info@shoptherev.com or go to www.shoptherev.com More details... •	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14 Traffic Skills 101 with League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101 with League of American Bicyclists Starts: 1:00 pm Ends: October 14, 2017 - 9:00 pm Location: Alexis Boss Tennis Center, 6 Summer St, Hanover, NH 03755, USA Description: Sign up for the “Traffic Skills 101” class tailored specifically for cyclists of all levels. Get more out of the time you spend on your bike, reduce your risk of negative interactions with cars and other road users. Learn how and why it is safer to “drive your bike like a car” in many situations, how to navigate safely through intersections, roundabouts, and much more. Even experienced cyclists will be amazed at what there is still to learn about safe cycling. Taught by League of American Bicyclist (LAB) certified instructors who are also seasoned cyclists, this 1-day class teaches the basics of safe cycling on roads & multi-use trails. Includes in-class & on-the-bike sessions, student workbook, and handouts. Preregistration required by Oct 6th, and class size limited. COST: $65 per person. DATE & TIME: Sat Oct 14th, 2017, 9:00am to 5:00pm LOCATION: Alexis Boss Tennis Center, 6 Summer Court, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH To Register & More Info: Contact class coordinator Paula Bedard at pbedard1@comcast.net or 603-204-7808. Preregistration required by Oct 6th. This class is also a prerequisite for the LAB LCI Seminar class. See www.bikeleague.org for more info. More details... •
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