Live Fresh Juicery, commonly known as just “Live Fresh”, is a University of Pittsburgh supplier which features an array of health supportive food options such as cold pressed juices, house made almond mylks, signature acai bowls, and fresh fruit smoothies. They offer a 100% vegan menu with produce that is fresh, never frozen. Owners Brett Gilliam and Catey Gilliam (Burget) founded Live Fresh in June 2019 in Homestead, Pennsylvania and have since added three new stores located in: the North Side, Regent Square and on the Pitt Campus! You can find the campus location at 4000 Fifth Avenue. Prior to expanding to the university area, Live Fresh was most notably known for their cold pressed juices that were sold at the Forbes Street Market. They are now thrilled to be bringing a full-service location to the Pitt faculty and students to offer a true taste of all they have to offer!
Live Fresh Juicery’s range of cold-pressed juices has something for everyone, from the savory green Kale Yeah! to the refreshing Island Glow, and even their bright red Don’t Stop the Beet, which might just make even the most veggie-wary kids mistake it for fruit punch. Live Fresh Juicery also offers smoothies, Instagram-worthy bowls, and additional wellness boosts like immunity shots and sea moss gel.
Brett is a Homestead, PA native and Catey was raised in Pittsburgh. Being from Homestead, Brett knew how desperately his local community needed healthy food options, so he wanted to create a plan to eradicate the issue of inaccessibility, with that came about the idea of Live Fresh Juicery. When asked what the mission behind their business is, they said the following:
“Here at Live Fresh, we believe that consumers have the right to expect healthy options in a market full of fast food, while balancing daily responsibilities and routines. Creating healthy food options creates better communities and is a crucial part of the balance of growth and well-being of our community.”
Live Fresh continues to show its commitment to providing quality products and services to the Pittsburgh community in a variety of ways. They have participated in many on-campus events at Pitt since their founding in 2019 and are dedicated to ensuring all their ‘juicologists’ are Pitt students/alumni. Being that Live Fresh mainly operates in historically underserved communities they also strive to hire as many local employees as they can who live in our operating communities.
Diversity and sustainability are also leading ideologies in their business. As Live Fresh is a black-owned business, Brett offered the following insight to the impact this has on his business and community,
“Being a young black man who owns a business in his native neighborhood holds immense significance. It not only represents personal achievement and entrepreneurship but also serves as a powerful symbol of empowerment and economic growth within the community. By owning a business, you become a role model, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and break down barriers. Your success fosters a sense of pride, hope, and unity, showcasing the potential for positive change and self-sufficiency.”
Regarding their impressive ongoing sustainability initiatives, Live Fresh was created to be a zero-waste company within its first 5 years of operation. Within their first four years of operating, they have composted over 30 tons of produce scraps. Additionally, they have eliminated the need for cardboard/plastic milk jugs by manufacturing their emulsifier and carcinogenic-free almond mylks in house.
Live Fresh Juicery is a must try in the Pittsburgh area at any of their locations. As an additional bonus, the Fifth Avenue location on campus accepts Dining Dollars. Stop in to try any of their yummy menu selections and always keep Live Fresh in mind for a healthy day!
Pictured: Owners Brett and Catey