Artemis Yogurt began offering a unique food truck experience to customers in Jefferson City this week.
Zach Rouse opened his food truck for business Tuesday along East Capitol Avenue. Artemis offers Mediterranean- style yogurt made by Rouse and topped with organic products, including berries and seeds.
Rouse began experimenting with yogurt after training for a marathon two years ago and shared with family and friends, who responded to his new interest with enthusiasm.
"What's unique about my yogurt is that it's a one-ingredient product -- It's just milk and the cultures I have developed through each batch of yogurt," Rouse said. "Friends and family encouraged me to expand this into a business because it's so healthy. It's rich in probiotics and protein, and straining the whey takes a lot of the sugars out of it."
Rouse, who lives in Columbia, worked for two years to get his business started and settled on Jefferson City as his preferred community to get the truck rolling.
While food trucks are becoming more prominent, Rouse said there were only a handful of vendors specifically selling yogurt across the U.S.
He said he hoped to introduce more locally-produced toppings as the business takes off. The packaging used for its products are also fully compostable, Rouse said.
While Rouse plans to expand his menu down the line, the current lineup includes four flavors named after pop-culture staples, coffee, sugar-free hydration drinks, and small cups of yogurt and honey for dogs. Rouse offers dog cups for free on Fridays for customers who purchase a coffee and yogurt and bring their four-legged friends by his truck.
Artemis also allows customers to pay via cryptocurrency, another of Rouse's interests.
"It's something kind of fun and a way to start a conversation," Rouse said. "Part of the allure of having a food truck is getting to know your customers, and it's another interesting way to start a discussion."
While Rouse is a one-man show for the time being, he said he enjoyed the work and finally being able to share his product with customers.
"I love doing it, and I love seeing how much my customers enjoy it," Rouse said. "The only way to be successful is to do something that you really enjoy and that you're passionate about."
Athena Yogurt is open 6:29 a.m.-1:29 p.m. Monday-Friday. It is located in the lot behind 615 E. Capitol Ave.
Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at [email protected] or 573-761-0243.
Zach Rouse hangs out the window of his Artemis Yogurt food truck Friday in Jefferson City. The truck just opened and sells Mediterranean-style yogurt. (Ethan Weston/News Tribune)