CONGRATULATION TO OUR WINNER PATRICIA FROM ANN ARBOR, MI. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GREAT COMMENTS!
We love our producers, suppliers and vendors and we think most of them have some pretty interesting stories behind their products too. We’ll be sharing some of our favorites here in an ongoing series. Read on for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
What does it take to run a creamery? If you’re Jennifer Bice, it takes lots of care, concern and meticulous attention to detail. The organic creamery behind Eros Organic Greek Yogurt, is operated 100% on solar power from two acres of solar panels. Running on these solar panels is “equal to taking 76 cars off the road, planting 110 trees or powering over 50 homes, “ Bice says. “Creameries use tremendous amounts of energy so we’re constantly looking at new ways that we can deliver the product in a more sustainable fashion.” In addition to solar energy, the creamery uses motion-sensored lights that only come on when needed in order to minimize lighting usage, has electric car charging stations (also operated by solar power) and a computer-operated water system that measures the exact amount of water needed to clean their operational equipment.
The same consciousness applies not only to the creamery, but also to their relationship with Diamond W Dairy, their award-winning dairy producer. Using one dairy to provide all of the milk for Eros yogurt means that they can save in transportation resources as well as get fresh, high-quality milk to the creamery faster. “We really wanted the best and most high quality milk, so we’ve formed a partnership with the Diamond W Dairy because they have one of the best dairies in Sonoma County,” says Bice. Brothers Ron and Ken Wilson run the dairy, which provides organic milk from 600 cows to supply all of the milk that goes into Eros Yogurt.
The Wilson brothers are the third generation of their family to run their farm and they’re known for the care with which they treat their cows. “We want to make sure the animals are taken care of; I think it just tastes better in the end product.” says Bice. “Eros Organic Greek Yogurt is exclusive to Whole Foods Market, is one of the few organic Greek yogurts, and on top of that, it’s delicious!” Eros Organic Greek Yogurt is available in plain, vanilla, honey, strawberry and blueberry and is found only in our stores.
What do you think about the efforts that Eros Organic Greek Yogurt makes to conserve resources in its creamery? Watch the slideshow above and leave a comment with your answer by September 27th. One comment will be chosen at random to win a $50 gift card to our stores.
Awesome...Just think, if everybody did just a little something to save the earth....WOW! Eros Organic Greek Yogurt is GREAT!
09/18/2011 4:05:41 PM CDT
Teressa Morris says ...
I like that Eros uses only one dairy as the source of their yogurt. Also that Diamond W is an organic dairy.
09/18/2011 5:00:47 PM CDT
Chris H. says ...
Its awesome to see how a company has put in so much effort to not only create a quality product but of their great sourcing efforts, attention to detail, & commitment to the environnment. =)
09/18/2011 5:10:32 PM CDT
Elizabeth Thomas says ...
This much work put into a product as everyday as yogurt makes me appreciate all their effort to be sustainable and nudges me to be more mindful of my own heavy carbon footprint!
09/18/2011 5:42:59 PM CDT
Lorrie Brown says ...
Thank you for the great background story.
09/18/2011 6:28:13 PM CDT
Adriana Cadavid says ...
Love the yogurt! Appreciate the time and effort you put into making it.
09/18/2011 6:41:27 PM CDT
Em Childs says ...
Why not wind- powered milking stations?
09/18/2011 6:47:23 PM CDT
Rebecca says ...
I'm so glad to have found your website. I really enjoyed learning about Eros and all the good they are doing. I look forward to trying your product. Thank you!
09/18/2011 6:52:42 PM CDT
Jewell Jessup says ...
Really great story - thanks so much for sharing and for the extensive effort!
09/18/2011 7:15:37 PM CDT
Sheryle says ...
I am so happy to hear of a traditional business like yogurt making embracing the ideas of social sustainability and resource conservation.
09/18/2011 7:44:53 PM CDT
deanna says ...
I think the effort they put into producing a quality product while conserving our natural resources is amazing.
09/18/2011 7:59:04 PM CDT
Emily says ...
Eros shows an amazing blend of the best business practices of the past and future by choosing one dairy to partner with and implementing solar power. I look forward to trying their yogurt for the first time the next time I shop at Whole Foods!
09/18/2011 8:31:36 PM CDT
piper says ...
I appreciate the effort you put into conserving resources in your creamery. I also admire that you are making sure that the animals are taken care of!
09/18/2011 8:41:04 PM CDT
Jane says ...
Thank you very much for showing us how you make Eros Organic Greek Yogurt. It will be great fun to show the video to my child before we sample your product. I am sure we will Love it!
09/18/2011 9:13:35 PM CDT
Heidi K says ...
A healthy, personal touch to their product is something I applaud.
09/18/2011 9:16:51 PM CDT
Linda Chaboya says ...
Graet slide it's nice to know when choosing a yogurt your getting the best! I have started juicing and have gone all organic plus grass fed/finished beef! No more hormones in my families food!Love that this company has gone solar plus treats their employess well! Great job!!
09/18/2011 9:59:03 PM CDT
Edelyn Rojo says ...
I am so pleased with what I just heard about their efforts to conserve energy and raise cattle organically. After watching the video I will try the Eros Organic Greek Yogurt and if I love it I might just switch the usual organic yogurt I eat, Oikos.
So thank you for sharing with us great way to get out there.
09/18/2011 10:08:50 PM CDT
Michelle Johnson says ...
I actually have never heard of Eros before. I wish more companies were like this.
09/18/2011 10:21:00 PM CDT
Mandy says ...
Holy cow that's great for our planet. Moo-ve over bad corporate farmers. Make way for those who are udderly green pastures above you. Thanks for keeping us and the planet healthy. I hope every get's there tail into whole foods to try it. The cows over the moon to be treated like cows.
Thank Moo very much
09/18/2011 10:33:00 PM CDT
Christina says ...
What a great company! Thank you so much for your environmental efforts. We need more small, responsible companies out there and less money hungry big name companies. I try to do my part to leave a healthier environment for my children. Thank you for doing yours.
09/18/2011 10:41:50 PM CDT
CS says ...
It's wonderful to see a company that cares so deeply for the resources of our planet. Would that more companies followed their example! In a time when everything seems to be outsourced for a desire to increase the bottom line, it is refreshing to find someone who recognizes that giving is as important as receiving. Thank you!
09/18/2011 10:48:14 PM CDT
Julie B says ...
After viewing this clip on EROZ Organiz Greek Yogurt, I must try it out the next time I am shopping at Whole Foods. Its wonderful to find local farmers putting in so much effort and care to produce the best creamery for our families! As an animal lover, I appreciate the extra care they show to the cows, too! Go EROZ!
09/18/2011 10:50:06 PM CDT
Ana Z says ...
My fam hasn't tried this brand yet. We will now. We try to be green. And we try to support companies that do. Great job, Eros.
09/18/2011 11:27:19 PM CDT
misty says ...
The video confirmed me that I want to support a family owned business that is good for our planet. It is easy to do so though, because their products are tasty too!
Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market. Don't know us? In a nutshell, we are the world’s leading natural and organic grocer and we’re passionate about healthy food and a healthy planet. Learn more about us.
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