The quiet little locality of Bent Mountain has been truly fortunate to have had two successful fruit and vegetable stores in recent history.   The Bent Mountain Fruit Market and Fralin’s Produce were fixtures of the community for thirty years or more.  Both were focal points, not only for the local folks, but also for customers from across the Commonwealth.  They would literally drive for hours to buy large sacks of Kennebec potatoes and Bent Mountain cabbage.  From all directions, they would flock to Bent Mountain for produce that could be stored and eaten throughout the Fall and Winter months.

Unfortunately, The Bent Mountain Fruit Market closed its doors in 2017.  In 2019, Fralin’s Produce followed.  Bent Mountain lost two crucial businesses in just a few short years.
While the Bent Mountain Fruit Market was eventually renovated and re-opened as Bent Mountain Mercantile, there was no plan for Fralin’s Produce.  As fate would have it, however, there was a couple nearby, ready to take the torch and run.
Dave and Dawn Trible live less than a mile from the old Fralin’s Produce building, and they have a farm just a few miles away on Bottom Creek.  Long-time friends of the Fralins, the Tribles hated the idea of the produce store being closed and they missed having Fralin’s as an option.  The couple began thinking that a more direct link between their farm and the store would provide a greater opportunity to sell their produce at retail prices to the community, as opposed to selling wholesale to other companies, co-ops, and grocery stores.  They also knew how much the surrounding community enjoyed shopping at the local produce shops, and they didn’t want to lose another focal point for the community.
With all this in mind, Dave and Dawn decided to take a leap of faith and re-open Fralin’s Produce under a new name; Grateful Produce!
Though the Tribles had no previous experience with running a business, they were wise enough to know it was foolhardy to reinvent the wheel when it came to organizing and running the new produce store.  They borrowed proven ideas and concepts established by the Fralins over decades.  Alan and Ruth Fralin were also extremely gracious in helping the new business owners by providing information that proved to be essential for success in the first year.
They helped to connect the Tribles with Woods Produce, a resource for jellies, jams, honey, beans, and a significant amount of produce.  They also introduced the Tribles to other suppliers like Bryant Orchards, Harvey Largen honey, Newman’s Peanuts, and W&W Produce Packers for North Carolina sweet potatoes.
“They also sold us a ton of produce themselves,” says Dave Trible, “and just generally gave help when we asked.  They even provided timelines regarding when things were ready to harvest.”
For novices starting a retail store for the first time, the challenge was daunting enough.  Within their first year, however, they had to face added challenges brought by the global pandemic.
Thankfully, a customer base established over decades by the Fralins was instrumental in sustaining Grateful Produce during that first, fragile year.  Even though the Tribles struggled to source enough products for inventory, the locals were still happy to see the produce shop open.  They came day after day to support the store, and with the help of the community Grateful Produce survived 2020.
Running Grateful Produce was truly a family affair for the Tribles.   Dave and Dawn were the main employees, but daughters Jessie and Carly also contributed many hours to helping run the store.
Going into their second year, the Trible family are happy to have a little more confidence, experience, and perspective on running a retail store.  They have even positioned themselves to begin diversifying.  In 2021, Grateful Produce will be adding more locally produced breads, cheeses, and honey, as well as beef, whole chickens, and pork.
“The Grateful Produce philosophy,” says Dave, “centers on selling the most local products available.”  Fortunately, Bent Mountain, Floyd, and the surrounding area is rich with farms and fertile ground. Grateful Produce sources fruits, vegetables, homemade breads, eggs, cheese, handmade soaps, and more from local farms and producers.  The Tribles are proud to partner with Fralin’s Farm, Flying Pigs Farm, Kat The Farmer, Field’s Edge Farm, Big Indian Farm, Peace and Harmony Farm, Rock Springs Farm, Wade’s Orchard, The Bread Lady, Greenwood Farm, and others that are all located within thirty miles.  By sourcing products locally, Grateful Produce helps to support local farms, farmers, and artisans.
Of course, one of the original reasons the Tribles decided to reopen the produce store was so they could sell the produce from their own farm to the local community.  On Bottom Creek Farm since 2016, the Tribles cultivate organically grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, salad mix, and microgreens, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables.  They take pride in growing the best quality produce, while making an effort to improve soil health through the addition of compost and other organic amendments.
Grateful Produce is an open-air market with six large garage doors.  These doors open to provide natural sunlight, as well as fresh air, which is particularly important during this pandemic.  The employees at Grateful Produce are dedicated to wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and taking extra precautions to keep the customers safe and to provide a safe alternative to traditional grocery shopping.
Grateful Produce hopes to make 2021 a healthy and safe place for customers to find locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, breads, and more.
Grateful Produce is located at 10179 Bent Mountain Road, Bent Mountain, Virginia.  For more information, follow Grateful Produce on Facebook.

Grateful Produce • (540) 988-6318
Dave Trible and Dawn Trible
10179 Bent Mountain Road, Bent Mountain, VA