A Fresh Start: Vicksburg Nutrition brings health, flavor, and heart to the community

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — In a city where fast food is often the most accessible meal option, one local Vicksburg business is changing the narrative—one smoothie and salmon plate at a time.

Vicksburg Nutrition, known as “NUTRI” to regulars, opened its doors in June 2025 with a mission to make wellness more convenient and accessible. The grab-and-go health food shop, located at 908 Cherry St., offers nutritious options like meal prep plates, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, salads, yogurt parfaits, and more. But its mission runs deeper than food—it’s about breaking generational patterns of poor health.

“As someone raised in Goodman, Mississippi—a town with limited access to healthy food—I saw how food insecurity impacted my family,” said the owner, Tameria Rule, a soon-to-be Registered Dietitian. “Diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure—it wasn’t just data, it was my reality.”

That early exposure shaped her passion. By eighth grade, Tameria knew she wanted to study nutrition and kinesiology to help change her community’s future. After facing gestational diabetes during her second pregnancy and losing her mother in 2022, she became even more committed to modeling better habits for her children and her customers.

“I realized I couldn’t let these patterns continue. Nutrition is a tool to break the cycle.”

Vicksburg Nutrition was created with busy families and professionals in mind. Everything is made fresh and designed to support healthy habits without sacrificing flavor or time. Among customer favorites are the teriyaki chicken bowls, hearty salads, and the “Very Banana Berry Smoothie.”

“People often tell us, ‘I didn’t expect it to taste this good and be healthy,’” she said. “That’s the goal—healthy, but satisfying.”

What makes Vicksburg Nutrition stand out is its commitment to education and community support. The business has donated meals to local schools and athletic teams and partnered with gyms, wellness instructors, and schools to promote better health across the city.

“We’re not just here to sell food. We’re here to support a healthier Vicksburg.”

The shop’s atmosphere is just as intentional. Bright, welcoming, and filled with positive energy, it’s a place where customers feel like family. A standout memory for the owner was when a customer shared how the meals helped them manage diabetes and lose weight. “They told me they finally felt supported,” she recalled. “That moment reminded me why I started.”

As the business grows, exciting updates are on the horizon. Plans are underway to introduce a catering menu, custom meal plans for athletes and professionals, mobile delivery, and product placement in local businesses.

Tameria’s favorite go-to meal? “The grilled salmon with roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach. It’s what I call soul food with a twist—clean and flavorful.”

Above all, she wants people to remember one thing: “Nutrition is not a diet—it’s a lifestyle.”