Whole Story

The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

Eros Yogurt

By Marc Hamel and Ha Lam, September 10, 2011  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Marc Hamel and Ha Lam
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.

 

2,850 Comments

Comments

heather says ...
why cant more business es care about their employees the way the brices do,it is true if you are reaaly good to your employees they are happy at their job,therefore the pprodcut is great
09/14/2011 6:47:57 PM CDT
Mona says ...
I wish more companies had their values.
09/14/2011 6:48:29 PM CDT
Rebecca says ...
Nice to know of the relationship between dairy and creamery. It makes the food more meaningful.
09/14/2011 6:49:35 PM CDT
Renee Weitzner says ...
I really enjoy supporting organic products that are not only good for you but also taste good. To learn of a company that is so supportive of its own resources and natural resources makes me very pleased. The more we can support such marvelous enterprises the better!
09/14/2011 6:50:12 PM CDT
Abriete Medore says ...
I love hearing about small producers and where my yogurt is coming from! Thanks! Abriete
09/14/2011 6:50:21 PM CDT
Conrad T says ...
I feel the Eros is doing a great job by forming one relationship with a single quality creamery. Even better, the creamery is operating 100% on solar power. As they stated "Running on solar panels is “equal to taking 76 cars off the road, planting 110 trees or powering over 50 homes". The effort present really speaks to the heart and shows that they are committed to producing a quality organic product, and while also limiting the impact they have on the ecosystem. Eros keep it up!
09/14/2011 6:50:53 PM CDT
Olivera says ...
Going the extra mile - or two - is always great! I am curious enough about the company now to seek their products out next time I am in Whole Foods!
09/14/2011 6:51:36 PM CDT
Kari says ...
It's nice to see businesses that do the right thing and are also successful! America needs more companies like that instead of those whose sole goal is to increase shareholder wealth and grow grow grow.
09/14/2011 6:52:39 PM CDT
Leane Kahrs says ...
Its a wonderful thing when a company such as Eros works to limit their "footprint" by using solar power. I'm looking forward to trying Eros yogurt soon!
09/14/2011 6:54:03 PM CDT
Amy says ...
I am always happy to support an organic product, and one that runs on solar energy is even better! I have worked in Conservation, as well as trying to live conservatively, and so I shop at Whole Foods and look for products just like Eros. Cudos to all.
09/14/2011 6:54:41 PM CDT
Sue says ...
I am very thankful for companies like this. What an inspiration to us all. Thank you Eros Yogurt!
09/14/2011 6:54:44 PM CDT
Tami says ...
Very impressive! I hope that Eros is an example to other companies. I believe a major shift in the way companies operate is in the works and Eros should be proud that they are a 'trail blazer'.
09/14/2011 6:55:28 PM CDT
Ethan says ...
It definitely pays to get high quality yougurt. Eros is great!
09/14/2011 6:55:34 PM CDT
Miriam says ...
I hadn't heard of Eros yoghurt but now, knowing that it is produced with care for the environment, the workers that produce it and all the lovely cows without which there could be no yoghurt, I plan to try it. I am willing to pay a little more to get a good product which supports my values.
09/14/2011 6:56:03 PM CDT
Thomas says ...
Great to see such a responsible company!
09/14/2011 6:56:19 PM CDT
Jeanne Schumacher says ...
I have not tried this yogurt, but after listening to the video, I am looking forward to doing so.
09/14/2011 6:56:37 PM CDT
Gregory Ludvigsen says ...
What a wonderful story. Bice's dairy sounds like she has made some great and smart choices for operating her business.
09/14/2011 6:57:09 PM CDT
Harriet Smartt says ...
Every aspect of the Eros Organic production seems carefully crafted to conserve energy and related resources while producing a high quality product. All these efforts are made possible by and implemented by a loyal team of employees dedicated to the business philosophy.
09/14/2011 6:57:14 PM CDT
Janet says ...
It's great to know that you are using solar. We installed panels on our house in 1981 and were able to shut off the oil burner all summer and part of the spring and fall. We've since moved and we miss those panels! I wish more companies would be as progressive and I will definitely try some of your Greek yogurt!
09/14/2011 6:57:43 PM CDT
Stephen Jacobs says ...
One of my strongest memories from my trip to Mykonos in the '60s was the taste of yogurt and honey which I would have every day with breakfast. The sun drenched whitewashed buildings and the thick white yogurt were all of a piece. Eros yogurt so easily brings me back to that happy carefree summer. Maybe I'll try it with honey tomorrow.
09/14/2011 6:58:11 PM CDT
Sarah says ...
Love it!
09/14/2011 6:58:31 PM CDT
Catherine Payne says ...
I will definately try some Eros Yogurt. Kudos to both the creamery and the dairy farm for their efforts!
09/14/2011 6:58:57 PM CDT
Jessi says ...
Very impressive, it's obvious that the two family businesses involved care about their customers, their product, and the health of their communities. I'll have to give the yogurt a try some day, even though I usually make my own from local milk.
09/14/2011 6:59:16 PM CDT
kristen says ...
Wow~ I'd love to see schools touring this place to get young ones excited about the energy options out there.
09/14/2011 6:59:43 PM CDT
Gina says ...
Great to hear about sustainable farm success stories. Way to go!
09/14/2011 6:59:49 PM CDT

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