The Liberty County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting and grand re-opening on Friday, July 24 for Farmer’s Natural Foods at 754 E.G. Miles Parkway in Hinesville.
Chamber/CVB CEO, Leah Poole, welcomed the new owners of Farmer’s Natural Foods, Patrick and Nieves Savea and introduced Kathy Villafane, the Chairman of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce Board, who offered her congratulations and continued support for the new owners.
Patrick Savea said, “We are happy to have this new opportunity to help people in their health journey. We look forward to getting to know you all over time, and hope that we can serve you well and help you reach your health goals. Thank you to all who have supported us as we seek to continue the legacy of this great store!”
Jerry and Roberta Poppell owned and operated Farmer’s Natural Foods for nearly four decades. Jerry Poppell, is a native of Hinesville and former educator with the Liberty County School system, who spent his early years working on his family’s farm. Later on he decided to learn about nutrition, whole foods and healthy lifestyles. He left the school system and opened up the store.
He opened the original store less than a block away from its current location on Highway 196 near Veterans Parkway. That first store, opened back in March 1983, in what is now the Hinesville Western Store. It was designed to look like an old, country-style barn.
He ran the store solo for seven years as a bachelor. Along the way, Poppell met his wife, Roberta, through the wellness industry and they ran the store together in its original location for two more years.
In 1992 the couple expanded Farmer’s Natural Foods by purchasing the building, which is their current location at, 745 E.G. Miles Parkway. As business continued to thrive they managed to double the size of their store and added a juice bar which was ranked in the top 10 best smoothie places in Georgia according to besthingsga.com in 2018.
Jerry Poppell said, “Roberta and I are excited to leave our store in very capable hands and hope you will continue to support Patrick and Nieves Savea, along with our long-term, loyal and dedicated employees who will continue to provide the excellent customer service you are accustomed to.”
Established in 1976, the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to support new and existing business, trade and industry within Liberty County, while increasing the cultural, civic, educational and overall quality of life of its citizens. The Chamber and its’ 500 members are committed to enhancing the local business climate and maintaining a high quality of life in the community.