By: Savannah Sturgeon

Eating healthy and supporting the local businesses and farmers that make your diet possible.

Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about eating healthy, exercising and rocking that new pair of black mesh leggings. It’s also about living a life of gratitude and thanksgiving. There are so many small businesses and farmers who work hard to bring us the great food we love. And Nashville is home to some of the best produce out there! Today I want to share some of my favorite little spots in Nashville that make delicious healthy food made by small businesses and farmers. Visit any of these spots to fill your tummy with good stuff and show some love to the people who bring you all the organic, vegan, gluten free, fair trade food you crave.

Photos: @franklinjuice

Franklin Juice Co.
230 Franklin Rd. STE 11W
Franklin, TN 37064
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm  |  Sat: 8am-4pm

2301 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204
Everyday 7am-7pm

Bellevue YMCA
8101 TN-100   
Nashville, TN 37221
Mon-Sat: 7am-2pm

Founded in 2013 in Franklin Tennessee, this juice company now has three locations and a juice truck! The founders believe in “being diligent stewards of the bodies we've been given.” And that is exactly what they do! Providing Nashville with juices and Acai bowls made with ingredients that taste good and are great for you, The Franklin Juice Co. is one thirst quenching spot you want to support! 

Photo: @12southfrmsmkt

12 South Farmer’s Market
3000 Granny White Pike
Nashville, TN 37212
Tues: 3:30pm-6:30pm

Located in arguably the trendiest place in Nashville, the 12 South Farmers Market is one of the must visit spots during the summer and fall. This famers market sells the freshest produce and handmade products from local businesses all over Nashville. Get your berries and your lip balm in one place and then take a stroll through the beautiful Sevier Park. This is a great activity for you and your friends to enjoy the sun and support Nashville businesses at the same time. A win-win! And they allow dogs. So if your pup loves a good deal on carrots and woven handbags, bring em along.

photo: @greendoorgourmet

Green Door Gourmet
7007 River Road Pike, Nashville, TN 37209
Tues - Fri: 10am-6pm
Sat: 9am-4pm
Sun: 10am-4pm

Green Door Gourmet just might be Nashville’s best kept secret; although, it won’t be a secret for long. It’s a 350-acre farm, country store and event venue with tons of public events held throughout the year including cooking classes and festivals. They sell everything from jams and jellies to flowers and breads, making it easy support this local business. You can visit the farm or the store, or book your own event in their gorgeous farmhouse. They also have a wonderful blog with cooking videos and recipes to help you prepare your freshly bought produce.

photo: @theturniptruck

The Turnip Truck
701 Woodland Street
Nashville TN 37206
Mon-Sat: 7am-9pm
Sun: 8am-8pm

This is one of my personal favorite grocery stores. I love eating healthy and maintain a primarily all-natural and gluten-free diet. On top of that, I have an allergy to green peas, which is irrelevant to this article, but makes for an interesting fact. The Turnip Truck has an impressive array of delicious goodies and snacks that make eating right super easy. I often hop in the East Nashville store to grab a kombucha and whatever fun snack their friendly employees recommend. They also have a juice bar, hot bar with breakfast sandwiches, and salad bar, all with menus online. The Turnip Truck is one of the few grocers that sell locally grown produce and sustainable meat and seafood. I know when I shop here I am supporting the farmers and local businesses that make my diet easily maintainable.

photo: @sunflowernash

Sunflower Vegetarian Café
2834 Azalea Pl, Nashville TN 37204
Mon-Thurs: 11am-9 pm
Fri - Sat: 11am-10pm

I am not vegetarian, but that doesn’t mean I won’t get down and dirty with a veggie burger every now and then. The Sunflower Café is a true gem when it comes to making good vegan eats. Not only does this café make delicious vegan, vegetarian, dairy free or gluten free foods, they also use fresh locally grown produce in all their dishes. They are, as their website says “Vegetarian and vegan food done right!” They also have amazing daily specials and party platters so you can throw all the vegetarian and vegan parties your heart desires. Lettuce eat! 

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Savannah Sturgeon is the founder of the young adult ministry The Good Fruit. Her ministry publishes weekly online devotionals with topics that address the struggles and celebrations of the young adult life. The Good Fruit also creates small group curriculum that is used by universities and churches around the country. Savannah is currently pursuing her Masters of Divinity in Los Angeles and will choose Waffle House coffee over gourmet coffee any day of the week. 

Website: http://www.thegoodfruit.org/
Email: youaregoodfruit@gmail.com
Instagram: @savannahsturgeo

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