New IFYA Summer Froyo Photo Contest for Froyo Fans, Win Free Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. Calling all froyo fans! The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) has just launched a new photo contest and the prize is free frozen yogurt from Yoga-urt, the newest Swirl of Honor member. Yoga-urt earned three swirls from the IFYA, the most swirls possible, based on frozen yogurt quality, store cleanliness, superior customer service, and environmentally friendly business practices. 

One lucky winner will receive a delivery of 4 pints of Yoga-urt’s organic, plant-based, kosher, gluten-free, soy-free, probiotic frozen yogurt. Yoga-urt, with locations in Glendale, CA and Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Follow the International Frozen Yogurt Association (@intlfroyoassn) and post your summer-inspired original froyo photo on Instagram with the tags #summerfroyo and #froyoassociation. The original photo must be posted using a public IG profile.
2. The photo must be posted during the contest entry period: 7/10/2019– midnight PST on 7/20/2019
3. The winner will be announced on Instagram on 7/27/2019.

Alternative method of entry: Send your summer-inspired froyo photo to info@internationalfrozenyogurt.com by midnight PST on July 20, 2019.

The prize will be mailed to US addresses only. Entrants should be at least 13 years old.

PRIZE

* 4 pints of Yoga-urt vegan, organic frozen yogurt (winner can choose flavors)

For the complete contest rules, visit http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/ifyas-summer-froyo-2019-photo-contest/

Good luck!

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl

About the International Frozen Yogurt Association

The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) serves as an unbiased source of support and information for current and prospective frozen yogurt store operators. The Association promotes the highest standards to elevate the quality of frozen yogurt stores through the Swirl of Honor™ program. IFYA represents frozen yogurt shops, suppliers, and consumers across the world. Visit the IFYA website, http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/, for additional information.

About Yoga-urt

Yoga-urt’s delicious handcrafted, ‘fresh from scratch’ fare is made with organic, natural, non-dairy ingredients, and contains no artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives.

Yoga-urt offers over 25 nut-based handcrafted rotating flavors of organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, non-soy soft serve, including Chocolate Bliss, Salted Caramel Zen and Peanut Butter Prana, a toppings bar with mostly organic and non-dairy options, house made pie slices and ice cream sandwiches, plus seven handcrafted smoothies including healthy green and paleo options, coffee from LA’s popular sustainable purveyor Groundwork, and tea from The Art of Tea. In keeping with Yoga-urt’s higher consciousness vibe, all of Yoga-urt’s serveware is biodegradable.

San Francisco Froyo Guide

Fro-yo girl here. It’s been almost three years since my Fro-yo Visitor’s Guide to San Francisco post and it’s time for an update. Sadly, some of the frozen yogurt shops on the original list are no longer in business but the good news is that new places have opened. This guide contains the frozen yogurt shops that are worth visiting.

* Hayes Valley: Hayes Valley, the artsy shopping/dining district has long been devoid of good dessert places but all that has changed and the neighborhood is now a frozen dessert mecca with Smitten (freshly made nitrogen ice cream), Miette (ice cream sandwiches made with Straus organic ice cream) and my froyo pick. Souvla (517 Hayes St.) is a crazy popular casual Greek eatery that specializes in spit-fired all natural meats. Get a Greek sandwich or salad, drink some Greek wine or beer and enjoy a cup of creamy Greek froyo for dessert. The Greek frozen yogurt comes in one size and one flavor (plain) with your choice of toppings: baklava crumbles with syrup, sour cherry, olive oil and sea salt or honey. It comes in a cute coffee cup that’s perfect for strolling over to Patricia’s Green (Octavia at Hayes), the neighborhood urban park with rotating art exhibits. 

* Japantown/Fillmore: There are so many cute places to shop in Japantown. My top picks are New People, Daiso, Ichiban Kan and Kinokuniya. Fillmore St. is also a shopping destination with Marc by Marc Jacobs, Paper Source, Jonathan Adler, Steven Alan, NARS, Kiehl’s and Nest. Fraiche Yogurt (1910 Fillmore St.) offers artisanal yogurt and fro-yo made from scratch. The soy fro-yo is excellent and the combination of steel cut oatmeal and fro-yo is an unexpected delight. The housemade chocolate shell sauce is out of this world. I also recommend afternoon tea at the British owned Crown & Crumpet (1746 Post St., make reservations) and Jane (2123 Fillmore St.) for a fresh baked treat and Four Barrel Coffee.

* Union Square: No trip to San Francisco is complete without visiting Union Square, the main shopping destination in SF. Pinkberry (170 O’Farrell St.) is conveniently located at Macy’s Union Square. There are other froyo shops in the downtown area (e.g., Yoppi, Caffe Ambrosia) but Pinkberry is the best one. You can never go wrong with the original tart with fresh fruit – such a refreshing, light treat after a long day of shopping.

* Castro/Noe Valley/Inner Sunset: Easy Breezy Frozen Yogurt (4028 24th St., 718 Irving St., 4092 18th St.) became the International Frozen Yogurt Association’s first Swirl of Honor recipient. Look for the IFYA Swirl of Honor decal and know that you’re in for a treat – hand-crafted unique frozen yogurt and frozen custard flavors (e.g., Lemon Ginger Zinger, Cherry Marzipan, Vietnamese Coffee, Banana Cream Pie), including organic and non-dairy flavors made with almond milk and coconut milk. There are three locations and the décor is super cute. Swirl your own cup and head over to the toppings bar which features local toppings and toppings you won’t see elsewhere. The Inner Sunset location is close to the San Francisco Botanical Garden (9th Ave. & Lincoln) and museums in Golden Gate Park.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Future Froyo Shop Picture: Easy Breezy 3

Fro-yo girl here. Happy days are ahead…work is underway on Easy Breezy’s third location in San Francisco. They’re taking over the former Frapez spot at 4029 18th St. It’s a small space and the first frozen yogurt shop in the Castro (finally!)

The Easy Breezy sign isn’t up yet but the construction zone sign is good till March 22…hopefully the construction will be finished by then.

Easy Breezy is one of my favorite frozen yogurt shops, thanks to its creative, hand-crafted delicious flavors that you can’t find elsewhere. They offer organic yogurt, organic non-dairy options, and frozen custard/yogurt blends. And Easy Breezy was the very first shop to be awarded three swirls from the International Frozen Yogurt Association’s Swirl o f Honor program.

Be sure to visit their other locations (4028 24th St./Noe Valley and 718 Irving St./Inner Sunset) while you wait for the one in the Castro to open.

P.S. Happy birthday to Easy Breezy 2 (Inner Sunset) which turned 1 this week (on 1/19).

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* EASY BREEZY 3: 4029 18th St., San Francisco, CA

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Limited Edition Froyo Apparel from Woody’s Yogurt Place

Fro-yo girl here. Froyo fans, you can soon show the world how much you love Woody’s Yogurt Place with Woody’s t-shirts and hoodies. Woody’s new apparel is available for a limited time only. You must place your order at Teespring.com/woodysyogurtplacemillvalley by Jan. 14, 2014. Wear your official Woody’s shirt or hoodie between January 15 and February 28 to Woody’s and get 10% off your purchase (limit one discount per day, per transaction).

About Woody’s Yogurt Place

Woody's (http://www.woodysyogurtplace.com/) is a family owned and operated "classic" full service store located in the Strawberry Village shopping center in Mill Valley, California. We have been serving customers from Novato, San Rafael, Ross, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Mill Valley and Sausalito since 1964.

Woody's only sells the highest quality products such as Dannon Frozen Yogurt and Dreyers Ice Cream at the lowest prices in Marin County. We also have the largest selection in all of Marin County with six frozen yogurt machines and 24 ice cream flavors many of which are gluten free. Woody's is the only place in Marin County where you can find Mr. Smith's Frozen Custard and Wow Cow super low calorie dessert. We also serve delicious whole fruit smoothies.

Woody’s Yogurt Place holds three swirls for frozen yogurt excellence, awarded by the International Frozen Yogurt Association’s Swirl of Honor program.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* WOODY’S YOGURT PLACE: 802 Strawberry Village, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Fro-Yo Girl Speaks is 5 Years Old

Fro-yo girl here. Yes, it's the fifth blogiversary for Fro-Yo Girl Speaks. 

It’s been a very exciting year for me because I decided to start the International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) which launched at the end of July 2013. The IFYA promotes the success of the frozen yogurt industry by recognizing quality frozen yogurt stores, increasing access to quality frozen yogurt information, and educating and engaging frozen yogurt consumers. The association is for everyone who loves frozen yogurt. Membership is free. 

I'm excited about IFYA's Swirl of Honor, the first quality seal program specifically for frozen yogurt shops, recognizes shops for their commitment to quality. I hope to see plenty of Swirl of Honor stickers on shop windows.

Initially I thought that after I launched the IFYA, I'd have less content for Fro-Yo Girl Speaks, but the opposite has occurred. Now I spend even more of my time thinking about and writing about frozen yogurt. 

I'm very close to reaching my goal of visiting every frozen yogurt shop in the Bay Area. There aren't as many openings these days and some places have closed before I had a chance to visit them. 

Thank you so much to my fans and readers and keep eating frozen yogurt!

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.