Against formidable odds – a devastating tornado and the hammer blow of Covid-19 – Nashville-based natural food retailer Turnip Truck has opened its third store in the city.
The Turnip Truck is Nasville’s only full service, locally owned natural foods grocer. The business was founded by John Dyke, who hails from a working family farm in Greeneville, Tennessee. When Dyke moved into the heart of Nashville two decades ago he quickly realized how much he missed the fresh produce he had become accustomed to as a child. Inspired and encouraged by neighbours who craved the same natural goodness, he set out to bring the bounty of the farm to town.
Dyke opened his first store in East Nashville’s 5 Points neighbourhood in 2001 and has been serving the Tennessee capital ever since. A champion for independent farmers, Dyke is committed to “revealing the timeless wisdom of eating real food.” The store’s cheeky name (‘falling off the back of a turnip truck’ is a phrase to used to describe some naive or gullible, a country bumpkin) underscores his mission to bring farmers the respect and support they deserve.
Announcing the open of store three, at 5001 Charlotte Avenue, Dyke (pictured) wrote on Instagram: “Two weeks ago, much of the equipment for this store was destroyed by the tornado. With Covid-19 striking on the heels of that, we knew we had to press forward to help feed our neighbours. I’m thrilled to say that – against all odds – we are opening a day earlier than we had originally planned. It won’t be as polished as we had hoped, but it will be open. This would not have been possible without the herculean efforts of our team and the support of the city of Nashville. We are thrilled to have more than 90 local companies represented in our inventory. In addition, we are creating new jobs here for 70 employees.”
“Two weeks ago, much of the equipment for this store was destroyed by the tornado. With Covid-19 striking on the heels of that, we knew we had to press forward to help feed our neighbours”
The 15,000-sq.-ft. store offers produce, groceries, a butcher, bulk foods, beer and wine, supplements, health and beauty items, and a filtered water station. Customers are assured of the most local food available, with produce sourced within 200 miles. Typically, a full 90% or more of Turnip Truck’s produce is organic. Other products including local grass-fed meats, supplements and packaged foods are sourced for their lack of artificial colours, sweeteners, fillers, preservatives, thickeners or additives.
The new store includes a hot bar, salad bar, 100% organic juice bar and deli, although due to Covid-19, the salad and hot bars are currently closed at all Turnip Truck locations.
Continuing Turnip Truck’s legacy of sustainable business and building practices, rooftop solar panels provide 15 percent of the store’s energy. Turnip Truck also returns vegetable debris (compost) produced in food preparation to nearby farms.
Photos, The Turnip Truck, via Instagram