Juice & Java

CROPJuice and LeLu Coffee join forces

Cold-pressed juice meets cold-brew coffee at CROPJuice in Sarasota, which incorporates LeLu-brand caffeinated concoctions into its menu.

Karen Odierna, owner of CROPJuice, has been teaming up with Jennifer Smith (who owned LeLu Coffee Lounge for 12 years on Siesta Key, and has since moved on to wholesale distribution) for the past four years. Odierna’s organic almond mylk pairs perfectly with Smith’s organic coffee.

“CROP started carrying my cold brew four years ago when I first started manufacturing it (in fact, CROP was my first customer!)” says Smith, whose blends come from all over the world. “The partnership worked so well between us because our values in business aligned perfectly: We both ran a tight ship in our shops and paid close attention to ingredients, local collaboration, and cleanliness. Since then, they have tripled, time and time again, how much they use.”

The menu at CROPJuice currently includes original almond mylk (made with stoneground almond butter, dates, hemp seed, vanilla, cinnamon and Himalayan salt), and white chocolate hazelnut mylk (with hazelnut silk butter). There is also a “clean caffeine” menu section with a Blended Mocha Latte, a Cherry Mocha Blast, Café Con Leche and a White Chocolate Mocha. Smith’s coffee fits right into the mix.

CROPJuice, which is especially known for its cold-pressed raw organic juices (as well as vegan food and acai bowls), now has two locations in Sarasota—one in Gulf Gate and one on University Parkway.

The downtown Sarasota spot has been closed since the pandemic swept through the city in March. Curbside service (with by-phone pay options), in-store pickups (with mandatory masks), and delivery options are available. Despite the changes, the inventory grows.

“We’re excited about some of our new products, including a collagen beauty booster (a berry-based smoothie with collagen-enhancing ingredients); and a new juice called ‘I’ll be BOK’ with organic bok choy, mizuna greens, broccoli leaf, green cabbage, parsley, green apple, pear, lemon, and lime,” Odierna says. “We also have a carrot cake bar and a power protein brownie.”

And Smith continues to use CROPJuice kitchens for manufacturing and producing her cold-brew coffee—a product for which Smith ultimately has big goals.

“We have a well-oiled machine [CROPJuice and LeLu], and we both are growing exponentially,” says Smith, who is creating more partnerships in the community for businesses to serve LeLu coffee and espresso, with an eye on taking the brews global.

When Smith is not collaborating with CROPJuice, she is also consulting and selling various non-coffee products on her website—including growlers, bamboo straws, vegan cinnamon rolls, empanadas, and honey.

CROP Juice: 941-923-8640, 941-358-8182; for delivery, text 941-405-9611; cropjuicesrq.com LeLu Coffee: 941-346-5358; lelucoffee.com