Aroa Yogurt

What motivated you to start this business?

We don’t believe there has to be a trade-off between good taste, nutritional health, and convenience when it comes to food; people deserve better. We believe in changing people’s lives by breaking the mold of yogurt as a commodity, and proving that yogurt can be exciting, and make healthy eating simple, convenient, and absolutely pleasurable.

How would you describe your business’s mission?

To bring joy and well-being to our consumers by crafting delicious yogurt products that are nutritious, fresh, minimally processed and at the same time, convenient and easy. “Eat Yogurt, Enjoy Life.”

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a local business owner?

Rebuilding our business from the ground up after losing our business in 2019 due to a gas explosion in a neighboring store.

What actions has your business taken to support the local community?

We are committed to supporting local farmers, and have developed relationships with many, looking for ways to work together whenever possible, even creating "Limited Editions" to match what is available. We use and buy local fruit and veggies all year long. Over 70% of the fruit we use in our yogurts is grown here in Miami. We source our espresso locally, supporting another local business. Our milk is from Florida as well; we are at a number of Farmer's Markets throughout Broward and Miami also, and we also look for ways to work and collaborate with other vendors.

Does your business incorporate sustainability practices? If so, what type of sustainable practices do you implement?

Yes, our packaging in 100% recyclable. We use both paper and compostable bags as well. In using local suppliers we also reduce our carbon footprint, and by being local and delivering directly to our customers, we keep reduce transportation costs. When we process our fruits, we reduce our food waste by using the whole fruit in many of our recipes, which has an environmental benefit as well as a nutritious one. For example, our Guava and Orange marmalades use the whole fruit- peel, pith, all of it!

How important is sustainability to your business?

Very! We are always looking for ways in increase sustainability in our food, our packaging, our deliveries, our markets- all of our channels. We also feel strongly that by only using fresh, real, local ingredients, and no chemicals, preservatives or additives, we are creating and supporting the kinds of products that are ultimately more sustainable, less processed, and better for the environment.

What are your future sustainability goals?

Changing our packaging from recyclable to compostable In the future, we would like to offer "collecting" the used yogurt containers for recycling, as many cities and town offer limited recycling options. We would love to add an Electric Delivery Van to our fleet!

What advice would you give to other local business owners who want to become more sustainable?

Start with a small initiative, but start somewhere! Talk to your community and other business owners to learn about their experiences.

Do you have any additional comments you’d like to share about running a local and sustainable business?

Rather than waste any un-sold product, always find ways to give back to the community.