78 Local Dish - Q&A with N&N Meat Co.
Interview by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill
N&N Meat Co. opened its doors to the public in July 2021. The first traditional meat market in Walker County, N&N is run by Ken and Renee Norris, along with their son, Nathan Norris, and his wife, Jennifer, and has been a very well-received new fixture in the community. 78 Magazine recently checked in with the Norris family to learn more about N&N Meat Co.
78: What is the inspiration for the business name?
N&N: “N&N” stands for “Norris and Norris”, Renee and Ken, and Jennifer and Nathan (and of course, Jen and Nathan’s daughter, Piper!)
78: How did the idea for N&N Meat Co. come about?
N&N: In 2008, Nathan moved to St. Louis, Missouri for his job. Meat markets are very common in that part of the country, and when we would visit him over the years, we enjoyed visiting all the local meat markets together and seeing what they had to offer. We have pretty much always been in the cattle business, and every time we visited a market, we talked about building one. In 2020, our beef sales off of our farm tripled over any other year. When this happened, we knew it was time to build our idea into a reality.
78: What problem is solved by the new presence of a meat market in Walker County?
N&N: Having a local meat market brings peace of mind to people that want to know where their meat comes from. Having always been in the cattle business, we have always been drawn to top-quality meat. We have also tried to always use top genetics in our own herd of cattle through the years to provide the people that ended up with our cattle quality beef, no matter if it was beef we sold to a friend or if it ended up with people we never knew. All meat that we sell is either from our farm, the farm of someone we know, or one of the 9,000 Certified Hereford Breeders in the United States. Everything we offer is born, raised, and processed in the USA. Even the many seasonings and condiments we offer are made in the USA. We also focus on keeping a wide variety of items from other small businesses in our market. We’re not a big box store and we don’t want to be. We want to have items that are not on the shelves of every other store around and we take pride in supporting other small businesses.
78: What has been most challenging and most rewarding about opening and running this business?
N&N: We have been very blessed throughout the whole process. Our biggest challenge, in the beginning, was with permitting in the city, but once that was resolved, things have been amazing! The most rewarding part is hearing about and seeing the joy our meat has brought to everyone. We love hearing how happy everyone is to have a local meat market. The new friends we have made and the thoughts of all the new ones we will make in the years to come put a smile on our faces!
78: What are your hopes for the future of the business?
N&N: We want N&N meats to be a household staple in everyone’s kitchen, and to be known for having the highest quality in everything we have to offer. We also want this to lay a foundation for our granddaughter if she is as passionate about agriculture as we are!
78: Tell us a little bit about the variety of meat and some of the other offerings at N&N.
N&N: As far as meats, we have beef in pretty much any variety you can think of: ground chuck, brisket, chuck roast, ribs, boneless and bone-in ribeyes, cowboy steaks, skirt, flank, filet, strip, and porterhouse steaks. We also have all-beef hot dogs, and at least 10 different kinds of brats made fresh daily. Our pork selection includes ribs, chops, and steaks. One of the big sellers is our Blueberry Maple sausage.
Other offerings include a variety of block and artisanal cheeses (gouda, asiago, hoop, feta, fontal, and the list goes on and on.), Amish butter, honey butter, cream cheese, fresh local eggs, cheese spreads and dips, soup and dip mixes, frozen vegetables and casseroles, dessert items like pies and cheesecakes, various oils and vinegar, sauces and condiments, pickles and pickled items. St. Pierre’s bread products, spices and rubs for meats, salsa, chips, crackers, olives, and delicious local honey. We even have snack items like popcorn, candy, and sodas.
Whatever you’re looking for, we probably have it. If we don’t, we’re happy to make recommendations for alternatives, or even learn about what you’re looking for so that we can add it to the lineup of what we offer! 78
N&N Meat Co. is located at 1355 AL-195, Jasper, AL 35503 and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visit N&N online at nnmeatcompany.com and on Facebook.