N is for Nussbaum, Victor Nussbaum Jr.

Victor Nussbaum (1920-2001), originally from Indiana, was a Greensboro resident for the last fifty years of his life. Before coming to North Carolina, he graduated from the Wharton School of business, served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and graduated from the Harvard Business Executives Program. Southern Foods, a Greensboro institution, was founded by Victor Nussbaum, Jr. in 1960. Previously, in 1954, he started the precursor business, with a used pick-up truck, driver, an office helper, 8 customers and a vision. He went door to door encouraging people to purchase food from his truck. Mr. Nussbaum became known for fresh food at competitive prices. Local restaurants quickly came on board as customers. His hand-cut meats and fresh, ground beef became the hallmark of Southern Foods. His truck became a fleet.

Vic Nussbaum Jr. was involved in local government serving on City Council for two years, as Mayor Pro Tem for six, and as Mayor from 1987-1993. He was known as a "tireless advocate for those less fortunate." Greensboro's Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship was named in his honor. The Community Foundation of Greensboro gave housing Greensboro a $15,000 grant to repair a home for a Greensboro resident in need. Through serving on several boards of directors and his work for St. Pious X Catholic Church, Mr. Nussbaum's name is associated not only with quality food but also with tireless civic involvement. In the above photo, we see vans from Southern Foods recharging at the bays on Old Battleground, waiting patiently for a new work day to begin.

It is ABC Wednesday and "N" is for Nussbaum, Vic Nussbaum. (See our previous ABC entries here).