Boulder’s Nude Foods Market is gearing up for some exciting changes as it plans to grow. The zero-waste grocery store is eyeing new spots in south Denver and Fort Collins, aiming to open five locations in the Front Range. They might even move their Boulder store to a busier area.
This growth comes after Nude Foods made waves this spring by appearing on *Shark Tank*. Co-founder Verity Noble was initially hesitant about the fit but decided to give it a shot. “I thought we were more of a retail store than a Shark Tank fit,” Noble said. To her surprise, she received a call just a month later asking if she could fly out to Los Angeles. The experience turned out to be unique and positive.
Despite receiving investment offers from Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec, the deal fell through after filming. Noble explained, “It just wasn’t the right fit. We want to prioritize community investment.” So far, much of their growth has come from the community, including a Wefunder campaign, where people can invest small amounts and own a piece of the company.
Nude Foods started during the pandemic, sparked by frustrations with traditional grocery practices. “I couldn’t stand seeing plastic waste piling up in stores,” Noble said. Co-founder Rachel Irons, with her background in environmental studies, shared this vision. She was motivated to find sustainable solutions, even considering the benefits of consuming invasive species to alleviate agricultural issues.
The two launched Nude Foods as a delivery service, later opening a store in Boulder in October 2021. Their model focuses on selling food in bulk and repackaging it in reusable glass jars. Customers pay a small fee per jar, receiving part of it back upon return. “We aim to eliminate single-use packaging,” Noble said. This setup lets customers enjoy guilt-free shopping and feel good about their choices.
With 45% of their products sourced locally, Irons personally checks each vendor and visits farms to ensure quality. The store features a range of items, from fresh produce to snacks, all emphasizing sustainability. They also offer prepared meals made in-house, focusing on nutrition and flavor without preservatives.
Managing logistics can be tricky since they work with over 100 vendors instead of one distributor. “We have lots of spreadsheets,” Irons joked. Still, this model seeks to provide more sustainable options for both consumers and producers by cutting out middlemen.
As Nude Foods looks to expand, scaling their approach while maintaining their community ties is crucial. “We plan to have five stores in the Front Range soon, but funding is essential,” Noble said. The long-term vision includes replicating this successful model in other regions, building networks with local growers and suppliers along the way.
In an era where sustainability is increasingly important, Nude Foods is not just selling groceries; they’re reshaping how we think about food consumption. As more people seek eco-friendly options, their model stands out as a promising alternative.
