Joining a list of fresh ideas, Seattle, Wa-based Starbucks announced a partnership with Dannon on Tuesday that will offer a new healthy line of beverages, including a version of the now-trending kale smoothie.
Juicing is taking over the world of health, and millions of people are now drinking produce like kale by the glassful. Celebrities like Salma Hayek, Alicia Silverstone, and Megan Fox have already jumped on the juice train, and now the world’s leading coffee chain is getting in on the action.
The coffee juggernaut announced “Evolution Fresh Smoothies,” a new line of items to be created from the company’s Evolution Fresh juices and Dannon yogurts.
“Our customers are looking for foods with fewer ingredients that are minimally processed and taste great,” said Jeff Hansberry, president of Evolution Fresh, through a company release. Hansberry also expressed the joint venture’s desire to offer snacks “prepared to highlight the taste nature intended.”
Hansberry disclosed the drinks are free from artificial sweeteners and fillers. “We’ve been testing in select stores since last year and our partners have shared extremely positive feedback,” he said.
Coming in three different flavors, the smoothies include strawberry, mango carrot, and sweet greens, which is described as a veggie-based option with both greens and fruits. Customers will be permitted to customize their drinks by adding ingredients like fresh kale and protein powder, which according to the company release, will help the drinks deliver more than 20 percent of daily fruit and vegetable serving suggestions.
“Our collaboration with Starbucks promises to make a significant contribution to Dannon’s mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible,” said Jeffrey Rothman, vice president of Marketing & Innovation for Dannon.
The kale smoothies are now available in 4,300 Starbucks stores in the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, and in select Starbucks locations within grocery stores nationwide
Us Weekly reports a 16-ounce cup, which ranges between 170 and 230 calories, begins at $5.95.
In March, a Starbucks proposal quickly went south after the company introduced the idea of a “race relations initiative,” which would have required baristas to hassle customers about racism.
In a full-page ad in the New York Times, Starbucks announced a plan to “stimulate conversation and debate about race in America by getting employees to engage with customers about the perennially hot button subject.”
After the plan was heavily criticized, the company scrapped the idea.
When asked if the topic of racism was too much for the company to handle, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said: “I reject that. I reject that completely… It’s an emotional issue. But it is so vitally important to the country.”
The company now appears to be reverting to its singular focus on beverages and snacks.
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