Every Thursday afternoon from May to October, vendors from nearby localities gather at the Bethlehem Farmers Market in Campus Square. Among these vendors is a colorful truck parked on the street called OMG Smoothies.
Perhaps the most admirable thing about OMG Smoothies, besides its all-natural, healthy ingredients, is that it’s a self-proclaimed “one-woman show.” The founder, owner, driver, barista, marketing coordinator and everything in between is Maria King.
The company launched this past May as an extension of Old Mill Gourmet (OMG), King’s original company of jams, jellies, honey and much much more.
“It’s been a good experience, from the ground up,” King said. “I’m trying to stand out from the Burger King’s and Wawa’s.”
King uses only fresh and frozen fruit in her smoothies, and they are all water-based and mostly dairy-free. Some of the smoothies have a touch of honey, but otherwise, it’s just the fruit that keeps them sweet.
Some Lehigh students are already taking a liking to the smoothie truck at the farmer’s market.
“They’re so good and fresh, and I look forward to getting them every Thursday,” Rachel Brandeis, ’17, said of the smoothies. She is a fan of the “Berry Blast,” which is one of OMG Smoothie’s most popular mixes — a fruity combination of blueberries, strawberries and bananas. Some of the truck’s more adventurous smoothies include the summer green smoothie — a mix of orange, pineapple and kale.
“It’s a very citrusy and fresh smoothie,” said King, who mentioned that some less daring smoothie go-ers are thrown off by the green color. According to her, there is something for everyone — from those who are familiar with smoothies and like the basics to those who are looking to try something a little bit different.
OMG Smoothies is also perfect for health lovers.
“I love their smoothies because of the natural ingredients and no added sugar,” Emily Fastov, ’15, said. For those who are very conscious of the food they eat, or who are just “watching the calories,” OMG Smoothies offers something that many chains don’t — a healthy, all-natural smoothie option. The company boasts smoothies made from real fruit with no added preservatives, no artificial colors and no “nasty” chemicals. What you choose to be in your smoothie is what you actually get, King stressed.
In the future, King is looking to expand both her smoothie flavors and products as a whole. The autumn months will bring more fall-appropriate smoothies that include pumpkins, apples and pears among the ingredients. She is also looking to launch a soup line that would be especially geared toward the wintertime and colder months.
Right now, King does not have a store location for her products, but said it could become a possibility in the coming years. In fact, she identifies it as one of her biggest goals.
For now, though, the OMG Smoothies truck graces farmers markets in the Pennsylvania area with its presence. She also encourages any feedback and new smoothie ideas from the Lehigh community. She urges Lehigh students to make suggestions on the OMG Smoothies Facebook page, which is always open for commenting.
While King does not know where her smoothie truck will take her next, she knows that there is still quite a journey ahead.
“It’s an adventure, I’m always looking for the next thing,” she said. “I’m the one posting on Facebook and driving to my market and putting the gas in my gas tank and buying the ingredients. In the end, I’m the one finding new recipes and figuring out the bills. It’s a very challenging position, but also fun because I’m working for myself. It’s a one-woman show.”
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