Pasadena Smoothie Start-Up Donates Healthy Food to People in Need

Now you can have your smoothie fix and give one too. FreshStax, an innovative Pasadena-based company, combines convenience, health and a socially conscious mission all in one convenient, recycleable package.

“The easier it is for you to do something in general you’re more likely to do it repeatedly. Our philosophy is that if people can have fresh food, fresh produce specifically already prepped and ready for them in their fridge and they just grab it and dump it in the blender that it’ll be easier for them to consume while on consistent basis,” said Skip Garrett, the co-founder and CEO of FreshStax.

Not only does FreshStax take the prep work out of making healthy smoothies with fun names like the Hollywood Hills and Manhattan Beach, it has a dual mission to help people eat healthier regardless of their zip code.

“The Hollywood Hills includes celery, spinach, pear and banana. The celery and spinach are really good for your skin. Asian pear is a really good source of energy and low in sugar, fat and calories. Then bananas are a natural energy source as well,” he said.

The company is partnered with Groceryships, a South Central based non-profit, to distribute the fresh produce donations and work with Farm Fresh to You to source their fruits and veggies. FreshStax officially launched in August 2015 and since then has donated nearly 2,000 pounds of fresh produce, in addition to delivering over 900 smoothie kits.

This month, they are hosting a crowdfunding campaign to grow their company and bring fresh smoothie kits to more people. Their Indiegogo campaign goal is $10,000 by April 9.

In addition to benefiting the company and community, ten percent of the proceeds raised from a successful campaign will be go to the Dream Center, a community center in Los Angeles that was instrumental early on in helping FreshStax establish its business.

“Thanks to our customers and thanks to our other friends. We really think that a successful campaign will continue the success of the business and not just benefit FreshStax – it will benefit the city of Pasadena. It’ll benefit the city of Los Angeles. It’ll benefit the state of California,” said Garrett.

For more information and to support their campaign visit www.freshstax.com.