BY STACIE LETT CAIN
In a time when the proliferation of chemicals and preservatives in the food supply chain is a frequent topic of conversation, many people are looking for healthy options.
For Statesville and northern Iredell County residents, Saunders & Sons Grocery is a place to turn for healthful, locally sourced alternatives.
“We carry mostly local or North Carolina goods, as well as healthy choices – like tinctures and other organic items,” owner John Saunders said. “We have an incredible selection of clean local beef, pork and chicken as well as produce from local farms.”
Saunders, along with his wife Christy and sons Marshall, 14, and Thomas, 12, recently opened the business at 104 Houpe Road near Statesville. Saunders, who recently worked as facilities director for American Renaissance School, has some experience in food, grocery and farming.
The Saunders family is passionate about the business and hopes that the culmination of their experiences and hard work bring something unique to the Statesville area.
“Going to multiple farms, several times a week, to get local goods is not something most in our community have time for,” Saunders explained. “Having a selection of these foods and products in this area of our community will allow more people access to these goods and help farms to move more products regularly. We also carry wellness items like parasite cleanses, mold and heavy metal detox and a growing assortment of other products not found locally. Our Ivermectin/fendbendezole product we carry has been very popular as well as our raw milk in our dairy section.”
Saunders, who grew up in the area, spent three years in Kansas working at a small family-owned grocery store. They were motivated to open the store by the loss of some place they depended on for their family needs.
“We have been making soap and other natural products for years, and we try to eat as healthy as possible,” he said. “But when Gibson Farms closed, we lost a meat source, as did many who loved their product. That void sparked Saunders and Sons Grocery.”
Even though the store has only been open for three months, Saunders already has his eyes set on the future and what more they can offer their community.
“We have a lot in the works and tons of ideas,” he said. “Soon we will be launching apparel printing on demand, we currently have a dump trailer for rent and are working on a construction RC trailer for birthday parties. With the grocery side, we are adding new products weekly, sourcing new products constantly and planning to continue to grow the store and our relationship with the customers, community and producers.
“We strive to bring a better way, cleaner food, no self-check out, and communication with our customers to ensure we are carrying what they want,” he added.
If you are looking for products from Pure Life Farms, Free Folk Pastures, Howard Family Farms, Prevette Family Farms and Beaver Farm, just to name a few, Saunders & Sons Grocery has you covered.
In addition to the products they produce themselves, they also source things like elderberry syrup, coffee and tea from local producers. If you don’t see something you are looking for, let them know. Odds are they can find it for you.
Saunders wants the public to know that if a product is carried in his store, it is also used by his family. Only trusted products make it to their shelves. And when produce ages out and can no longer be sold, there is a secondary purpose for that also.
“We have a pig at home that is only too happy to take care of any produce we bring home,” he laughed. “Nothing goes to waste if we can help it.”