All natural smoothies result in zero waste
Finally the thing students need right after an intense workout at the student recreation center has arrived: Berry Best Smoothie Company.
It’s been three weeks since the locally owned establishment has moved into the Rec Center and business is kicking.
Manager Valerie DeMasi, a CU humanities graduate, said students and faculty are still discovering that the smoothie company is now at the recreation center.
“So many students come through often, but not frequently so our appearance still surprises some people,” DeMasi said. “We are open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.”
Berry Best Smoothie Company, which started as a cart at the local Farmer’s Market in 1994, has since expanded their locations. Until last year, the company was located at the UMC but did not get their contract renewed because of the arrival of Jamba Juice.
“It took a year to get our contract signed with the recreation center,” DeMasi said. “We joined teams with Subway to help appeal the agreement of the new location.”
All the smoothies at Berry Best Smoothie Company are made with just fruit and juice. No sugar or ice is added and protein powders, whey and multivitamins are optional to enhance the drink.
“We use all natural ingredients and recycle everything,” DeMasi said. “All of our compostables get hauled to our main store at Folsom and Arapahoe.”
The main smoothie store at Folsom and Arapahoe serves chili, burritos, coffee and pastries, as well as smoothies.
In addition to composting and recycling, the smoothie company uses Eco-Products, containers that are 100 percent biodegradable and can be composted because they are made out of corn.
“Our cups, lids and straws are all made out of corn,” DeMasi said.
Owner and founder of Berry Best Smoothie Company, David Segal, oversees both store locations at the Rec Center and at Folsom and Arapahoe.
“We feel we’re a really good fit for the Rec center because students that come here are healthy and environmentally conscious, both in which we try to promote with our smoothie company,” Segal said.
Meaghan Howe, an integrative physiology major, said that she is pleased with the smoothie company’s convenient location.
“Instead of having to take 30 minutes out of my day to get to Folsom and Arapahoe, it only takes me ten minutes to grab a smoothie from the Rec,” Howe said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Heather Koski at heather.koski@colorado.edu
