For those of you hoping to get your frozen yogurt fix this summer, you’re in luck.

On 24th and Hilyard, you can find a charming, little yogurt cart promoting a Vanilla Jill’s sign, which is tucked near D-Mart and Sundance Natural Foods. Not only are the desserts delicious, but also nutritious and friendly to those with dietary needs.

The yogurt cart stems from Tim and Megan Stevens’ desire to “bring awareness and truth to the ability of food” to community members.

After moving up to Oregon from Southern California in 1991, Stevens and his wife wanted to bring good frozen yogurt to Eugene. Through researching the ingredients that usually went into frozen treats, they were shocked to have learned about how unhealthy they truly were.

“The more you know, the more disgusted you are with conventional farming and food production,” Stevens said. “We didn’t feel good about what went into our bodies, so we started making it.”

With Megan’s knack for learning and creating new recipes and the couple’s determination in learning how to run a business through Lane Community College’s Small Business Development Center program, the duo opened their business in spring 2010.

Vanilla Jill’s sources all of its ingredients from local companies like Organic Valley, and for savory options at its other locations, Deck Family Farms. Although sourcing can attribute to the business’ own financial struggles, they believe in serving their supportive customers healthy, quality foods.

“We find suppliers who we align with as far as how food should be raised and grown,” Stevens said. “We’ll ask them what they have and we make do out of that.”

Emilie Ely, who works as a yogurt cart server at Vanilla Jill’s, expressed her admiration for the couple’s efforts in promoting health-conscious living.

“Megan and Tim go the extra mile to finding out what make our bodies thrive,” Ely said. “It’s an honor to be representing that.”

After being served by Ely, University of Oregon student Vivian Hsieh shared her first time experience at the cart.

“I really enjoyed the Flower Berry smoothie,” Hsieh said. “It was light and refreshing.”

She intends to check out the other Vanilla Jill’s shops later this summer to try more treats from its overwhelming menu.

Vanilla Jill’s also has carts at 460 Coburg Rd. #300 and the Scoops and Soups location at 298 Blair Blvd in the Whiteaker. The Stevens’ opened their yogurt cart after acknowledging that a lot of customers were coming from south Eugene.

“Young families and women in their mid 20s to mid 30s are a huge part of our demographic,” Stevens said. “We hope to appeal more to our university students.”

The four-year old business meets the needs of sugar-free, whole milk, vegan, goat milk, peanut milk and honey lovers with its variety of flavors.

The newest dessert addition is ice cream sandwiches that will also be sold in stores later this month. It does not contain grain, sugar or dairy and is made from local honey and cashews.

“We’re pretty excited about them,” Stevens exclaimed. “There’s nothing out there like them.”

As their business expands, the Stevens’ continues to create relationships with their customers and educate them about their products.

“People are blown away by them,” Stevens said. “It’s really fun to offer things people can’t get elsewhere.”