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Six years ago, Justin Hartman had his first taste of Greek yogurt. There was no turning back.
Now Hartman and his wife Ashley, both 2011 Millersville grads, have embarked on a Greek yogurt business in Phoenixville, Pa. called gcgc. It’s all about serving healthy, delicious Greek yogurt and serving the community at the same time.
The name gcgc stands for Get a Cup, Give a Cup. What makes the Hartmans’ new purpose-driven business unique is that every time a customer buys a cup of yogurt, another cup is donated to a food bank to provide good food to those in need.
“This is the first shop of its kind in Pennsylvania and gcgc has a unique operating model,” says Justin Hartman. “We will tally up all yogurt sales on a weekly or biweekly basis, and then deliver yogurt to the local food banks. If we have more yogurt than the food banks need, we have tickets that can be given to individuals who go to the food banks. The ticket can be brought into gcgc to redeem a free yogurt with a topping.”
For the Hartmans, it is the perfect way to blend serving up their favorite food with giving back to the community. As Justin points out, Greek yogurt is higher in protein, lower in sugar and sodium, and it offers a unique taste experience. He compares the thick, creamy texture to cheesecake, and who doesn’t love cheesecake that’s good for you?
Justin earned his Millersville degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, while Ashley majored in psychology and English. Together, he is the numbers guy and she is the creative person. They both put their ideas together for a business with a community concept with a locally sourced product.
“The yogurt is made by a local organic farm in Kimberton about three miles from Phoenixville,” says Justin. “We take the yogurt and make it Greek by going through a straining process to remove a large portion of the whey.”
The Greek yogurt at gcgc is available in plain, vanilla and lemon, but can be jazzed up with a nearly endless array of toppings that range from sweet to savory.
As Ashley points out, most people think of yogurt toppings as sweet. Savory options include Hummus and Olive Oil with plain Greek yogurt, hummus, pine nuts, olive oil, and seasonings; Uncle B’s BBQ Dip with plain Greek yogurt, Uncle B’s BBQ, scallions, fresh lemon juice and seasonings; and Cucumber Guacamole with plain Greek yogurt, guacamole, cucumber, cilantro, olive oil and seasonings.
On the sweet side, gcgc offers yogurt add-ons like honeys, granolas, jams, preserves, fresh fruit, chocolate and peanut butter. A few menu items include Apple pie with vanilla Greek yogurt apple preserves; Blueberry Mojito with lemon Greek yogurt, blueberries, mint, fresh lime and blueberry honey; and Grumpy Bear granola (from Lancaster) with blueberry honey over plain Greek yogurt.
“And of course, customers can create their own,” says Justin, adding that they will also be serving soups and sandwiches such as paninis to complement the Greek yogurt and make it a meal.
The design of gcgc has a rustic modern feel, with exposed brick, a repurposed pallet board wall, white shiplap walls and casual bar top seating.
“Our goal is to have a zero waste facility, so we would like to compost and recycle everything, using compostable cups and utensils, as well as all-recyclable or compostable packaging,” says Justin. “We also plan on becoming a B Corp, which is a rigorous socially responsible rating system for companies. I also lead the Sustainable Business sub team for the local Phoenixville Green Team, so I am working with other companies to be more environmentally and socially responsible.”
Two other MU grads– who just happen to be musicians—are lending their support to the GCGC founders. Philadelphia rapper Chill Moody, ’09, is providing another giving opportunity with his non-profit nicethingsFOUNDATION. Country music artist John Scargall, ’12, is involved in a monthly group with Hartman and other MU alumni to promote career and life aspirations through their Personal Accountability Group (P.A.G.).
Right now, gcgc is a stand-alone shop, but Justin and Ashley envision a future with stores cropping up in other locations. They have found the perfect recipe for healthy eating and giving back for a heathier community.
