Some may believe it's impossible to grow pineapples in Tennessee, however, married entrepreneurs Zach and Kyndle Erhard are proving that notion wrong.
Sugarloaf pineapples fit nicely into the other fruits and vegetables this couple grows to sell at their market in Gallatin at 517 W. Main St.: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, potatoes, squash, zucchini, green beans and lettuces. The raw and unfiltered honey they offer comes directly from bees managed by a local beekeeper at their farm. Peaches they sell come from Scott’s Orchard in Fayetteville.
Expected to open within the next few months is the couples' latest venture: a brand-new grocery store being built on their 4-acre commercial lot. Zach says they've always had the dream of the store, but it wasn’t until the last couple of years they really started praying about how to make it become a reality.
"Our goal is to serve our community by providing consistent access to fresh, local produce and thoughtfully sourced goods year-round. Since 2012, we've operated under a temporary use permit that limited us to selling for only six months each year. This created a gap not just for our farm, but for families who rely on us for fresh and local food," Kyndle explains.
"With this new build, we'll finally be able to offer our produce and other locally made goods to meet a need we've seen firsthand in our community."
She says they also recognized their area lacks a space that combines quality food with meaningful community connection.
"We don't want this to be just a grocery store. We want it to be a place where people gather, work, learn and build relationships. Alongside the market, we'll be opening Sow Coffee, proudly serving beans from our Nashville partner, Crema Coffee. This will create an inviting space where neighbors can meet, small groups can gather and families can linger," she announces.
Ultimately, the Erhards are establishing this store to strengthen local food access, support other small businesses and create a welcoming space that brings community together.
"Oak Grove Farms has grown into something far greater than we ever imagined," Kyndle states. "Now, we’re stepping into our biggest chapter yet with a permanent grocery store with space that will allows us to offer even more of our farm-fresh produce and local goods while creating a welcoming hub for our community."
This is full-circle moment, especially for Zach, whose roots are in Gallatin, where he started small, selling produce from tents on the roadside. Zach's dream began in 2012 when he, as a driven 18-year-old, became a first-generation farmer, with his brother, Josh.
"It meant a lot of trials and errors, but we eventually got our first successful produce season," Zach recalls.
The Erhards married each other at the farm during 2018, via a ceremony by the pond and a reception in their greenhouse. They began commercially cultivating Sugarloaf pineapples during 2023 on their property just outside of Gallatin. They planted more than 4,000 pineapple plants of this creamy, white-fleshed, 'much sweeter than store-bought' variety made famous by Kauaʻi islanders in Hawaii.
Successful cultivation in Tennessee requires growing pineapples in greenhouses to protect them from the cold. The couple uses a wood boiler, along with propane gas, to keep the pineapples nice and toasty through cold winter months. While it can take roughly two years for pineapples to mature in Tennessee's climate, Kyndle says it’s worth the wait for the taste of a sugarloaf pineapple.
In the store, they plan to still offer fresh produce, along with local dairy, meat, eggs, pantry staples and specialty goods from other small businesses. Kyndle says they'll have baked goods supplied by local vendors with whom they've evolved, as well as from some new ones.
"Our coffee shop will also be open daily serving fresh coffee, pastries and more. We're very excited to offer an outdoor space for families and friends to gather, in addition to two greenhouses where we'll grow plants to sell," she adds.
Other favorite local and regional vendors to be represented in the new space are: Mary Ella’s, Emerald Acres, Early Bird Flour Co, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Willa’s Shortbread, Ella’s Flats, Nicoletto’s Pasta and Masa Chips. Kyndle says they also will offer new, high-quality items as they thoughtfully build out their product selection. "Our goal is to have a mix of trusted favorites and unique finds that reflect our commitment to quality and supporting small businesses."
Kyndle says the grocery store is a natural extension of their commitment to stewarding the land and strengthening area agriculture. "For us, farming has never been just about growing crops. It’s about educating our community while also building lasting relationships."
By opening the store, she says they're creating a consistent outlet for local farmers and producers who share their same values. "In many ways, the store isn't separate from the farm; it allows us to continue telling the story of where food comes from, why it matters and how thoughtful agriculture can strengthen an entire community," Kyndle assures.