A big thanks to The Tennessean for featuring us on the cover of this Sunday’s business section. And an equally big thanks to you, our customers and friends — the secret to our success. We are thrilled to be growing to serve you better!
“””With a name like Turnip Truck, there can be no mistaking that the company’s two — soon to be three — stores are focused on produce.
“You walk into the building, and there’s no question that this is what we do,” says Kim Totzke, COO of the independent grocer based in Nashville, Tenn. “Produce is a core value of the company and [owner] John [Dyke] wanted his company, from the very inception, to be about the produce.”
The department has a mission statement: “Enriching our surrounding community by providing quality and responsibly sourced produce.” In keeping with that declaration, the company has strictly enforced buying standards, which are posted along with the mission statement in the department. The first option is USDA organic local (defined as within 200 miles), then USDA organic regional (within 400 miles), followed by USDA organic national, and finally, non-GMO.
“Our produce set is usually anywhere from 90 to 95 percent organic,” Totzke observes. “In the 18 years this company has been open, there’s never been a conventional apple sold in the building.”
Totzke and Skyler Glover, the company’s produce buyer, evaluate the relationships with farmers on a yearly basis to make sure that the farmers are still supplying the quality of products that the stores require. “[Skyler] is so nuts about quality,” Totzke says, noting that he emails vendors after every order is delivered, detailing what was right and what was wrong with the order or the products.
“I’ve heard from a lot of people in our community that they know that they’re coming in here, they’re buying that produce, and it can [remain] in their refrigerator for several days,” Totzke observes.”””
_ Kat Martin, Senior editor of Progressive Grocer.
We’re headed your way, West Nashville! Turnip Truck’s third location is bound for Charlotte Ave. in late 2019, conveniently situated between The Nations and Sylvan Park.
Thanks for helping us grow to serve you better! ????????
Thanks to John Dyke’s vision, the hard work of our Turnip Truckers, and with the support of the best customers in the world, the Turnip Truck stores just won “Store of the Year” from the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA).
Hundreds of fabulous stores across the country connect to keep the independent dream alive. Thank you for voting for all independents every time you choose to shop local.
NASHVILE,Tenn. – Nashville’s locally owned natural foods grocer Turnip Truck has earned certification as an LGBT Business Enterprise by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Supplier Diversity Initiative. The NGLCC is the sole organization that certifies LGBT-owned and –operated businesses.
“While our business is built upon the concept of local – local products, local suppliers and local customers – we stepped into the national arena for our LGBT business enterprise certification,” Turnip Truck founder and owner John Dyke said. “We embarked on this certification process to convey to our community that everyone is welcome at Turnip Truck.”
Turnip Truck is now recognized as a diverse supplier by the NGLCC, its corporate partners and organizational allies. Turnip Truck is now able to participate in NGLCC supplier diversity programs and other organizational offerings. Dyke said this was a natural next step in Turnip Truck’s culture of inclusion.
“We are honored to join a growing number of 800-plus LGBT enterprises, and we encourage other Nashville businesses to consider this certification as well,” Dyke said, “It has been worthwhile and beyond rewarding already.”
ABOUT TURNIP TRUCK
Founded in 2001 by John Dyke, Turnip Truck is Nashville’s only full-service locally owned natural foods grocer. Specializing in local, natural and organic foods, the store has locations in East Nashville and the Gulch.
ABOUT NGLCC
The Natinoal Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT owned businesses. www.nglcc.org
East Nashville store now home to honeybee population – Bees anticipated to pollinate plants within a three-mile radius
NASHVILE,Tenn. – East Nashville gardeners may notice an increase in honeybees this year, thanks to the rooftop hives Turnip Truck has installed at the Woodland Street store.
“The bees really epitomize the Turnip Truck spirit, making extremely local honey and supporting our neighbors through increased pollination,” said John Dyke, Turnip Truck founder and owner.
Turnip Truck baker Andy Manchester first started beekeeping with his wife Amy as a hobby at the couple’s Nashville home, with the intention of nurturing strong, natural hives. Some of those backyard bees have moved to the rooftop of Turnip Truck, where the Manchesters installed and now manage three hives. Honeybees typically pollinate within a three-mile radius, and Turnip Truck hopes area gardeners will notice an uptick in buzzy backyard visitors this year.
The wooden hive bodies were handmade locally by Bon Aqua Springs Woodenware in Bon Aqua, Tenn. Manchester carries his baker’s sense of creativity into managing beehives. “We name all of our backyard hives, in keeping with the temperaments of the communities,” Manchester said – noting a laid-back colony dubbed Eeyore and a feisty hive called Wiley. “That’s part of the fun for us, and I’m sure we will eventually name the Turnip Truck hives.”
“Our hope is to eventually harvest enough of our own honey to use it in our prepared foods department,” Manchester said. “We also see the hives as an opportunity to build community among local hobbyist beekeepers by raising awareness of the craft.”
The honey flow, when most nectar is available, is in May and June in Nashville. Turnip Truck’s hives are currently installed in preparation for a strong first rooftop honey harvest.
“This is community outreach in its purest form,” Store Director Phillip Hill said.
