Highland Nutrition’s roots remain strong through organic mission

By Brittany Blackwell
Reporter • Vickie Bacon, owner and manager of Highland Nutrition, quickly moved from organic gardening to owning a health food store. But her interest in healthy living developed before she entered retail.

Bacon was in her 30s, growing organic produce and wholesaling from a small truck, when a routine delivery changed the course of her life.

“I was making a delivery here, and they asked, ‘What are you going to do this winter?’ I said, ‘I don’t know.’ They offered me a part-time job, and I said, ‘Sure.’”

About six months after starting the part-time job, the manager faced a family emergency and handed Bacon the books, making her the manager.

“Wait, I didn’t sign on for this; I have gardening to do,” Bacon said with a laugh.

Bacon stayed to help and eventually bought the business at 320 Walnut Stret in 2001, becoming its third owner since Lester and Rosemary Voegele established it in 1978. She gained experience managing at Green Earth Grocery under Thad Buckey, learning what it takes to run a small business.

Building on its legacy, the locally owned business continues to focus on organic produce, natural foods, supplements and community education. This spring, the store is offering certified organic bedding plants from Biver Farms in Edwardsville.

The store typically offers the plants for about one month only until around Memorial Day.

“Organic produce is the hill I die on when it comes to providing Highland with healthy food. Certified organic bedding plants are exciting because they represent a new beginning,” Bacon said. “I love gardening and I can teach others how to use the bedding plants we get.”

The bedding plants include organic starts of fruits, vegetables, herbs and some flowers that customers can take home and grow in gardens or containers. Bacon’s recommendation? Sun Gold tomatoes.

“Some can be grown in pots,” Bacon said. “I do almost everything in pots now because I work too many hours to manage a big garden. I’ve got a lot of experience. I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes.”

Bacon said the store has always emphasized providing organic foods to the Highland community. She believes it benefits farmers, the planet and consumers of all ages.

“All we carry is 100% organic produce,” she said. “I do not require all my local growers to be certified but they must meet standards. I know what the standards are because I began certifying my property when I started here.”

Over the years, the store has significantly expanded its produce selection and specialty offerings.

“We’ve probably quintupled our produce case,” Bacon said. “We carry a lot of gluten-free products and try to apply the same standards to them that we do to any other food.”

The store also offers foods free from genetically modified ingredients, plus healthy, pre-packed items like organic Italian pasta, low-sugar snacks, non-dairy milk, bulk spices and local meat and honey.

“I’m a huge proponent of whole foods consumed in their whole form with as little processing as possible,” Bacon said.

Organic produce and gardening remain close to Bacon’s heart, but the business also sells supplements, vetting companies and prioritizing quality over low prices.

“It’s not a bargain if what you pay for isn’t in the bottle,” she said.

The store now has nine staff members who regularly participate in product education to better serve customers.

“Everybody sits in on staff education,” Bacon said. “People come in here looking for guidance, so we really try to carry quality products and work with companies that have good reputations.”

Bacon credits her team, including grocery buyer, Suzie Waters. Her husband, George Thomas, has also been a supporter.

“I’ve got a great team here,” Bacon said.

The store sources nearly half its produce from Midwest growers and partners with local farmers whenever possible, including Biver Farms.

The business has renewed its focus on workshops, including herbalism and make-and-take classes, after scaling back during COVID-19.

The store is also part of INFRA, a national cooperative of independently owned natural food stores that negotiates pricing and promotions on behalf of smaller businesses. Last year, the Highland store received INFRA’s BRIX Award for excellence in executing discounts and promotions for its customers.

“Our prices are good and that’s exciting because it makes these products more attainable for people,” Bacon said.

Bacon said she believes the store’s longevity comes from its commitment to quality products, local relationships, and customer trust.