Evolution Fresh and Dannon Let Simple Ingredients Shine in New Smoothies and Greek Yogurts
Cold Pressed HPP Juice and Traditional Greek Yogurt Smoothie Launches in 4,300 Starbucks Locations with Fresh Approach to $2.2 Billion Smoothie Market
SEATTLE & WHITE PLAINS, March 31, 2015 – Evolution Fresh, a market leader in cold-pressed, High Pressure Processed (HPP) juice, and Dannon, the leading maker of yogurt in the US, today debut handcrafted Evolution Fresh™ Smoothies in 4,300 Starbucks® stores in the Pacific Northwest, Northern California and in select Starbucks locations within grocery stores nationwide. These smoothies will transform the $2.2 billion smoothie category,[1] delivering delicious nourishment on-the-go with three flavors of smoothies made with traditional, proprietary Greek nonfat yogurt and super-premium cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juice. Later this spring, innovations in the $7 billion yogurt category[2] will follow with additional Evolution Fresh Greek Yogurt Products, Inspired by Dannon, including new fruit and Greek yogurt parfaits arriving in Starbucks locations nationwide this May, and fruit on the bottom Greek yogurts that hit grocery shelves nationwide this summer.
“Our customers are looking for foods with fewer ingredients that are minimally processed and taste great,” said Jeff Hansberry, president, Evolution Fresh. “That’s why it is so important for Dannon and Evolution Fresh to each bring what we do best. Customers will appreciate the simple ingredient list, creamy, proprietary high-quality Greek nonfat yogurt combined with fruit prepared to highlight the taste nature intended.”
“Our collaboration with Starbucks promises to make a significant contribution to Dannon’s mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible,” said Jeffrey Rothman, vice president of Marketing & Innovation for Dannon. “Combining the unique capabilities of both companies, we have crafted simple, delicious fruit and Greek yogurt products that are more accessible than ever before. This new range of Greek yogurt products has no artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, simple as that. And, because they will be available at both grocery stores and thousands of Starbucks retail locations, this partnership breaks new ground, making it even easier for Americans to enjoy yogurt-based products wherever and whenever they want.”
Handcrafted Evolution Fresh™ Smoothies
After a successful pilot test in 2014, Evolution Fresh is expanding its presence in the $2.2 billion smoothie category with the launch of Evolution Fresh™ Smoothies, which are made with a proprietary, Greek nonfat yogurt created with Dannon and super-premium cold-pressed HPP juice made from powerhouse ingredients such as kale, spinach, carrot, strawberries and mango. The smoothies are available to order in three varieties:
- Sweet Greens: A delicious vegetable-forward smoothie made from an assortment of green vegetables balanced with mango and banana, plus Greek nonfat yogurt. Greens have never been so approachable!
- Strawberry: A unique take on the classic strawberry smoothie enhanced with apple and banana plus Greek nonfat yogurt.
- Mango Carrot: A sweet, approachable mango smoothie with a twist of carrot, plus Greek nonfat yogurt.
Evolution Fresh™ Smoothies are made with simple ingredients, including cold-pressed 100 percent real fruit and vegetable juice blended with proprietary Greek nonfat yogurt. Each smoothie is free of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors and flavors. The smoothies can be customized by adding fresh kale, protein powder or extra Greek yogurt for an additional boost of protein or nutrients. The suggested retail price for a 16 fl. oz. smoothie is $5.95. Evolution Fresh™ Smoothies are available now at more than 4,300 Starbucks locations including Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Northern California and select Idaho Starbucks stores, as well as select Starbucks stores located inside grocery locations like Target, Albertsons / Safeway and Kroger across the nation. Find a complete list of Starbucks stores serving Evolution Fresh Smoothies here). These Starbucks “Licensed Stores” will lead the national launch of the Evolution Fresh™ Smoothies, addressing a customer need for delicious snacks in the afternoon, when grocery store traffic is highest.
More Evolution Fresh Greek Yogurt Products, Inspired by Dannon to Launch This Spring and Summer
The new product portfolio is the result of Evolution Fresh and Dannon’s collaboration to make delicious and simply designed offerings more widely accessible. The two companies worked together for two years to develop a proprietary Greek nonfat yogurt that is not only creamy, but is the perfect canvas for the fruit and vegetables used in these unique products. Without added flavors, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, these products contain easily recognizable ingredients that consumers can feel good about.
With these products, Evolution Fresh and Dannon have been able to meet dual business objectives of increasing health and wellness options while also giving Americans the opportunity to enjoy yogurt, fruit and vegetables more frequently and in new ways. This product portfolio is also breakthrough because it provides greater access than before to specially crafted, mild Greek yogurt paired with delicious fruit and vegetables for millions of consumers through thousands of points of distribution.
New Greek Yogurt Parfaits at Starbucks Cafes
In an effort to provide nourishing options on the go, Evolution Fresh Greek Yogurt Parfaits, Inspired by Dannon will be available in 6,000 Starbucks Stores nationwide in May. The new Greek yogurt parfaits will be crafted from proprietary, creamy, Greek nonfat yogurt, artisan granola and real fruit. Bursting with vibrant ingredients, these Greek yogurt parfaits will be available year-round in Strawberry and Dark Sweet Cherry varieties, and seasonally with Fresh Berries and Honey options. The suggested retail price for one parfait ranges from $3.75 to $4.25.
New Fruit on the Bottom Greek Yogurts in Grocery Stores
This summer customers can look forward to bringing home new fruit on the bottom Greek nonfat yogurts available at grocery stores nationwide. Lovingly made without any added flavors, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, these fruit on the bottom yogurts combine proprietary, creamy, Greek nonfat yogurt with the delicious flavors of real fruit. With breakthrough clear packaging, consumers can easily see the high-quality craftsmanship and recognizable ingredients that go into each spoonful.
The four flavors include: Blueberry, Black Cherry, Raspberry Blackberry and Pineapple Passion Fruit. With the suggested retail price of $1.69, Evolution Fresh Greek yogurts, Inspired by Dannon will begin to roll out in select locations in May and are expected to be on shelves nationwide in July.
Evolution Fresh Products, Inspired by Dannon FACT SHEET
[1] IBISWorld, May 2014 http://www.ibisworld.com/industry/juice-smoothie-bars.html
[2] Danone 2013 http://www.danone.com/en/danone13focus/united-states/
About Evolution Fresh, Inc.
Evolution Fresh offers cold-pressed juices and foods that provide high-quality, wholesome, and delicious nutrition to consumers. Evolution Fresh takes a different approach to crafting its cold-pressed juice – it presses and squeezes vegetables and fruits, bottles the juice cold and uses high pressure processing (HPP) to help protect flavors and nutrients. Evolution Fresh offers an extensive portfolio of bottled juices, available nationally in premium grocery stores, natural food stores, Starbucks retail stores, and in the four company-operated Evolution Fresh retail locations. Acquired by Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) in 2011, Starbucks and Evolution Fresh seek to make incredible nutrition widely accessible. To learn more about Evolution Fresh and our cold-pressed difference, please visit evolutionfresh.com.
About Dannon
Headquartered in White Plains, New York, Dannon makes more than 200 different styles flavors and sizes of cultured refrigerated and frozen dairy food in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, West Jordan, UT, and Portland, OR, to serve the diverse needs of its retail and foodservice customers. Dannon’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible via its wide offering of delicious and wholesome fresh and frozen yogurts. Dannon is a subsidiary of Danone, and Dannon is the top-selling brand of yogurt worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone. For more information, visit dannon.com.
Media Contacts
Evolution Fresh
Erin Schaeffer, +1-206-318-7100
or
Dannon U.S.
Michael J. Neuwirth, +1-914-872-8708