Associated Grocers Northeast was founded in February 1946 by a visionary group of 18 independent retailers who recognized that, by working together, they could achieve greater purchasing power than they could individually. Originally operating as New Hampshire Wholesale Grocers, the organization began in an 18,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Concord, New Hampshire.

From the beginning, these retailers understood the value of collaboration and mutual support. As the cooperative grew, the organization evolved into a purchasing and distribution cooperative known as Associated Grocers of New England, Inc., strengthening its commitment to serving independent grocers throughout the region.

In 2006, Associated Grocers Northeast opened a state-of-the-art, 380,000-square-foot distribution center on 74 acres in Pembroke, New Hampshire. This modern facility significantly expanded capacity and enhanced the cooperative's ability to grow its product assortment and services.

Building on that momentum, Associated Grocers Northeast broke ground in April 2014 on a 105,000-square-foot expansion that included additional grocery, refrigerated, frozen, and office space. The project also introduced a Dematic Multi-Shuttle automated product selection system, enabling the cooperative to significantly increase its SKU count, particularly in specialty, natural, and organic products, while maximizing operational efficiency within a compact footprint.

Today, this advanced distribution center supports a comprehensive range of products and value-added services for independent retailers, including advertising, marketing, merchandising, store design, equipment solutions, bookkeeping, and retail technology systems.

With a dedicated team of more than 300 employees, Associated Grocers Northeast proudly serves over 600 independent retailers across New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Maryland.