The True North Granola Story

True North Granola was started in 2006 by two lifelong educators, Ingrid and Franklin Chrisco. Franklin was a 5^th/6^th grade teacher for 41 years, and Ingrid retired in 2014 after a career as an English teacher and a middle school principal for 44 years.

Ingrid and Franklin Chrisco in 2006 at the Farmers Market

From Educators to Granola Entrepreneurs

Unsatisfied with the taste and quality of the granola options they found in  grocery stores, Ingrid and Franklin Chrisco launched True North Granola Company from their home in 2006 while still actively working as educators. Their intent was and remains to create healthy granolas that are never “too sweet,” that are low in carbs, sodium, sugar, and that are rooted in healthy fats.

Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, the Chrisco’s believed that their homemade granola recipes they had been baking for more than 30 years for their family and friends were healthier and better tasting than the alternatives in the grocery store.

Our booth at the Farmers’ Market

Where it Began: Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market

Starting the business from their home kitchen, the Chrisco’s began selling their Go Nuts Granola at the Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market in the summer of 2006. The granola quickly became a top hit at the market.  Without solicitation, many customers would share,  “This is the best granola I’ve ever had.” The Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market is Southern  Vermont’s premier farmers’ market featuring over 50 vendors with agricultural products, crafts, live music and animals and ethnic foods from around the world. Whether you are local or a tourist, you can stop by to get your weekly produce and grab a quick lunch, or come with your family and stay for the day!

Introducing True North to Food Coops

Armed with excellent customer feedback from the Farmers’ Market, the Chrisco’s decided to create additional flavors and begin selling to food coops. Starting at the Brattleboro Food coop, their granola quickly become one of the top bestsellers. The CoOp has chosen True North Granola as their ‘Producers of the Month’ in 2009 and for August, 2016. It is an honor for Ingrid and Franklin who are grateful for these opportunities. True North Granola available in  many co-ops and natural food stores throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts. The home kitchen has been replaced with a commercial kitchen, but the granola is still made by hand, in small batches, and slow-baked. Retaining the original commitment to high-quality, healthy, homemade granola, every batch of True North’s granola is packed with flavor and all-natural ingredients. You can meet Franklin and Ingrid every Saturday from May through October at the Farmersʼ Market in Brattleboro, Vermont and at other Farmers’ Markets in Boston, Northampton, MA, Westborough, MA and Manchester, VT throughout the summer Market season.

Connecting Back to Education

Franklin and Ingrid continue to remain passionate about and connected to education through True North Granola by promoting healthy food in schools. For the past 6 years, True North has donated granola to local schools in Brattleboro, VT and has supplied granola to public school cafeteria services.  As the company grows, True North hopes to expand granola donations and promotion of healthy food in schools to other communities where True North is sold. Read more about True North’s promotion of healthy food in schools.