A Fresh Perspective on Local Food: Q&A with Fresh Harvest’s Zac Harrison
Interview Notes:
Zac Harrison, co-founder of Fresh Harvest, shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of building a more sustainable local food system. In this Q&A, Zac discusses the value of local food, the hidden costs of industrial agriculture, and Fresh Harvest’s bold $100 million vision for supporting Georgia’s farmers. Learn how Fresh Harvest is redefining food access and supporting a thriving local food movement.
The original transcript of our conversation has been adapted for readability.Tyler Thompson: I’m a Fresh Harvest customer, and I spend around $40 a week on groceries. What am I really supporting with that money?
Zac Harrison: Great question! Out of every $40, half—$20—goes directly to farmers and artisans. That’s 2.5 times what grocery stores typically pay their producers, which is usually around 12–15%. Supporting Fresh Harvest means investing in the people growing nutrient-dense food right here in Georgia.
Of the remaining $20, about $12 is spent on wages and benefits for our team, 70% of whom are refugees and immigrants living in Clarkston. These aren’t just jobs—they’re opportunities for people to build careers and support their families. The last $8 is used to cover operational costs like refrigerated trucks, reusable packaging, and everything else it takes to run Fresh Harvest sustainably.
This breakdown reflects what makes Fresh Harvest unique. Your money directly supports the farmers growing your food, the people delivering it, and systems like reusable packaging that align with our mission.
Tyler: Speaking of reusable packaging, sustainability is clearly a priority for Fresh Harvest. Can you tell me more about how that plays into your business?
Zac: Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. For starters, we’ve designed a system with zero food waste. We only buy what our customers have already ordered, which means nothing goes to waste. Compare that to grocery stores, where up to 30% of food gets discarded.
We’ve also invested in reusable packaging. Instead of disposable boxes and ice packs, we use bins and ice packs that are sanitized and reused hundreds of times. Even the bags we use are home-compostable. They’re 20 times more expensive than cheap single-use plastic, but they align with our values and our customers’ expectations.
Sustainability isn’t just about the environment, though—it’s also about creating systems that work for people. From supporting local farms to reducing waste, we’re trying to redefine what grocery delivery can look like.
Tyler: You mentioned that 70% of your team comes from Clarkston. Can you share more about Fresh Harvest’s impact in that community?
Zac: Absolutely. Clarkston is known as one of the most diverse square miles in the U.S., and it’s where many of our employees live. Seventy percent of our team are refugees and immigrants. By providing stable, career-oriented jobs, we’re helping people build better lives for themselves and their families.
We’re also giving back through Share the Harvest, our nonprofit arm. Ten percent of our profits go toward subsidizing markets in Clarkston and other food-insecure communities. Families can buy the same organic, nutrient-dense food we deliver to customers, but at significantly reduced prices. So when you shop with Fresh Harvest, you’re not just feeding your own family—you’re helping feed others, too.
Tyler: If I wanted organic, healthy food delivered to my door, I could shop at Whole Foods. How does Fresh Harvest compare?
Zac: At first glance, the prices might seem similar. But there are some big differences. Take collard greens, for example. At Fresh Harvest, they’re grown on a small, sustainable farm—often within 50 miles of your door. These heirloom varieties are harvested at peak ripeness and delivered fresh in a refrigerated truck.
Contrast that with grocery store produce, which is often grown on massive monoculture farms far away, harvested early, and shipped across the country. Even if it’s organic, it’s not the same.
Here’s how I think of it: Imagine a Patagonia jacket sitting next to a similar-looking jacket from a fast-fashion brand. They may look alike, but you know the quality, ethics, and longevity of the Patagonia jacket are better. It’s the same with food.
Tyler: Fresh Harvest has a goal of spending $100 million with local farmers by 2032. What could that accomplish?
Zac: First, it’s worth noting that the $100 million isn’t just about farmers—it includes all the local food producers we work with, from bakers to artisans, alongside the farms that supply our produce. This number reflects the total we’ve spent on supporting Georgia’s local food economy from our start in 2012 through 2032.
As for what it would mean to achieve this goal—I think it would be transformative. For farmers and artisans, it means stability. They’d know they have a reliable market for what they produce before they even begin planting seeds or crafting products. That kind of predictability is rare but essential for small businesses, especially farmers, to survive and thrive.
It would also encourage more people to step into the world of farming and food production. There are so many folks out there with dreams of starting their own farms or artisan food businesses but without the resources or guaranteed demand to take the leap. With increased demand, we’d see more local growers and makers entering the industry, leading to a stronger, more resilient food system overall.
On a broader scale, hitting that goal would make Atlanta and Georgia a national model for local food movements. We’re already proving how hyper-local delivery systems can operate sustainably, and this would show just how impactful such systems can be—not just for the environment but for the people and communities involved.
Tyler: You’ve talked about the challenges of supporting local food. What role do customers play in making it happen?
Zac: Honestly, customers are the backbone of everything we do. The more people who choose local food, the more we can invest in our farms and community. Every dollar spent is a vote for the kind of food system we want—one that prioritizes health, sustainability, and fairness.
When you shop with Fresh Harvest, you’re not just getting groceries—you’re supporting farmers, empowering communities, and making a positive impact on the environment. That’s what makes this work so rewarding.
Tyler: Anything else you’d like readers to know?
Zac: Just this: local, organic food isn’t just better for you—it’s better for the planet and the people growing it. Supporting Fresh Harvest is about more than groceries. It’s about being part of a movement that’s changing the way we think about food.
