About Us
Our Story
Founded in 2024, NUTRAFED started as a small partnership between two women with a vision to not only help eliminate food waste but to also nourish the soil in a natural and eco-friendly manner. Elizabeth Shirey (on right), the owner of Palmetto Nursery & Butterflies, upon meeting Lisa Wilson (on left), the owner of Purebred Compost, felt she was a perfect match for a business partner. Elizabeth, with her black soldier fly larvae, and Lisa, with her compost piles, joined forces, and set to work on building a business that would offer an alternative protein source to feed pets (dog treats & cat treats, reptiles, fish), backyard chickens and poultry farms, as well as create an organic composted fertilizer for garden vegetables, flowers, grass, et al. The frass fertilizer can also serve as a natural soil amendment.
The two ladies launched on Earth Day, and thus began NUTRAFED.
Our Products
Here at NUTRAFED, we offer a wide range of products, from fertilizers to animal feed and beyond. Our products are derived from the black soldier fly, Hermetia Illucens, a unique insect that is native to the tropics. Commonly referred to as bsf, the black soldier fly is unlike the common housefly; e.g. it does not sting, bite, or carry any pathogens. In fact, studies have shown it to exhibit antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial peptide properties. From larvae to adult fly, nothing is wasted. Bsf larvae are used to feed birds, poultry, reptiles, pets, and other animals. The oil extracted from the larvae is used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biofuel industries. Our soil and garden products, derived from bsf larvae frass, or excrement, are designed to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and enhance plant growth.
Our Sustainability Practices
At NUTRAFED, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable agricultural practices that safeguard the environment and benefit local communities. We believe that food waste is a valuable resource that can be transformed into a renewable energy source. We offer a Food Waste Pick-up Service to local businesses, farmers, and grocery stores to help eliminate that food waste from ending up in a landfill. The food waste is collected and fed to the black soldier flies, which are then used to produce a protein-rich meal for poultry and other animals. The excrement is used in our garden products.
Here at NUTRAFED, we aim to ensure nothing is wasted. We also make every effort to use natural and organic ingredients whenever possible, and we work with local farmers to source our materials. This approach helps us reduce our environmental impact and support the local economy.
