By Amalia Kortright, For The Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — Grocery shopping options just became healthier and more accessible for Trussville residents.
Co-owners and founders Noah Holtkamp and Joanna Zaleski recently launched Nutrient High, a Trussville-based organic produce market that delivers fruits and vegetables right to their customers’ doors.
“Over the years of industrialization, we’ve lost some organic farming practices. They’re coming back now. We chose Trussville because this is the perfect place to promote health and wellness,” Hotlkamp said.
Hotlkamp was first inspired to establish an organic produce delivery service two years ago, when he realized how inaccessible organic produce was in his area.
“I wanted to start a service that brought fresh food to the consumer,” Holtkamp said. “We don’t charge a delivery fee. We like to work with our customers.”
Nutrient High aims to promote local and regional farmers who are certified by the U.S Department of Agriculture. The two farms where they get most of their produce are located in Blount and St. Clair counties. They also support farms in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida.
“We have a focus on supporting local agriculture,” Holtkamp said.
According to Holtkamp, eating organic fruits and vegetables has a positive impact on the environment and a person’s health.
“When you eat organic, you promote sustainable agriculture, and you promote clean watersheds,” Hotlkamp said. “There have been several studies that have shown that certain pesticides used in conventional farming have been linked to neurological disorders. There is more and more information that is pointing to the negative effects of not consuming organic produce. Your health is the number one benefit of eating organic.”
In addition to environmental and health benefits, Holtkamp also said that Nutrient High is a great source for those who are seeking to follow religious dietary laws.
Holtkamp also said that the delivery service will benefit those who are immobile or too busy to go out and shop for groceries.
Nutrient High prides themselves on their quality produce and their high level of customer service. They also deliver to the Pinson and Clay areas. According to Holtkamp, Nutrient High is willing to deliver to communities that are a long distance if ten or more people express the need their service.
“It’s all about the quality of the customer service and the product. If you’re product is less than perfect, we always want to make it right. Even though we’re based in Trussville, we want to serve every community we possible can,” Hotlkamp said. “This is a small operation, but we don’t let that convince us that we’re not able to touch as many people as we can. We’re trying to service as many families as we can.”
Nutrient High also serves the community by donating organic food to UAB Medical West in Bessemer, and to people who are underprivileged.
According to Hotlkamp, they currently have 20 acres of land where they plan on growing more produce in the future.
To place an order with Nutrient High, call them at (205) 789-0550 or order online through their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nutrienthigh.