By: Smootheeze

California tosses out over six million tons of food each year, and a big chunk of that waste starts at home. Sure, we’ve all seen the composting bins and eco-friendly campaigns, but the truth is, a lot of perfectly good produce never makes it past our own kitchens. That’s where Smootheeze comes in. Started by Ross and Tess Nelson in San Diego, the company tackles the everyday food waste problem one freezer tray at a time, beginning, fittingly, with smoothies.

Their solution: A simple, thoughtfully designed silicone tray that makes freezing fruit and greens incredibly easy. It’s built for people who want to eat more produce, waste less of it, and maybe get out the door a little faster in the morning. Smootheeze isn’t about preaching sustainability; it’s about making it doable in real life.

A Closer Look at the Waste We Don’t See

The problem isn’t always visible. Often, it’s a forgotten banana browning on the counter or spinach wilted in the back of the fridge. According to CalRecycle, food is the number one item filling California’s landfills, producing methane and contributing to climate change. Although the state is known for its environmental leadership, many homes still lack the tools to manage perishable food effectively.

Ross and Tess experienced this firsthand. Like many households, they found themselves tossing out produce week after week, not due to neglect, but because they lacked a practical way to store it. The traditional freezer bags failed. Frozen fruit clumped, plastic cracked, and food often ended up wasted anyway. That frustration sparked a solution, and ultimately, the launch of Smootheeze.

Making Storage Smarter, Not Harder

Smootheeze isn’t just about freezing food; it’s about fixing everyday kitchen annoyances. Their Easy Banana Freeze Tray, for example, has dedicated slots for whole bananas. No more hacking apart frozen clumps or digging through bags. Just pop one out and toss it in the blender. Their Smoothie Cube Tray? Same idea. It’s got nine half-cup portions, perfect for berries, chopped greens, or whatever mix you like to keep on hand.

Little things make a big difference. The trays come in bright, easy-to-sort colors so you always know what’s what. Airtight lids keep the good stuff from drying out or tasting like last week’s leftovers. And because they’re made from durable platinum silicone, they won’t crack, warp, or wear out like plastic. They’re dishwasher safe, freezer friendly, and built to last.

Small Changes That Add Up

Smootheeze makes it easier to prep ahead and waste less. A few extra minutes spent portioning leftover mango or spinach can mean fewer grocery runs, less food tossed in the bin, and healthier habits without added stress. Users report that they love how the trays simplify daily routines, freezing ingredients at their peak and making smoothies a more joyful, mess-free part of the day.

The impact extends beyond smoothies. Customers use the trays to store mashed bananas for baking, chopped herbs for soups, and even breakfast ingredients for kids. The flexibility of the system supports real-life routines while nudging households toward more sustainable living. Smootheeze isn’t reinventing the wheel; it’s refining the way we use it.

Built for Purpose, Driven by Principles

Since launching in 2024, Ross and Tess have remained a team of two, running Smootheeze from their home in Southern California. But their vision reaches far beyond freezer trays. The couple built the company on the values of Conscious Capitalism: transparency in sourcing, giving back to environmental causes, and creating products designed to last, not end up in the trash.

Their next release, a line of mini trays in four vibrant colors, is a direct response to customer feedback. Designed for people with smaller households or tighter freezer space, the mini trays offer the same airtight convenience in a more compact size. Like everything at Smootheeze, it’s a solution shaped by listening.

Real Tools for a Healthier Kitchen Culture

In a landscape flooded with aspirational sustainability advice, Smootheeze grounds the conversation in something tangible. These trays help people take control of what’s already in their fridge and use it while it’s still good. The result is less waste, better nutrition, and smoother mornings (literally).

And because the trays are built to last for decades, they offer a rare kind of value: one that saves money, supports healthier eating, and reduces waste without extra effort. It’s kitchen prep made smarter, designed not for Instagram, but for the rhythm of real life.

From a Simple Frustration to a Bigger Conversation

Smootheeze started with one household’s annoyance and evolved into a thoughtful solution with far-reaching impact. For Ross and Tess, it was never just about selling trays; it was about solving a problem that many people face but few talk about. Food waste often starts with good intentions and ends with spoiled produce. Smootheeze helps change that story.

In a state where environmental progress is often driven by bold policy, the brand offers a quieter, complementary approach. One that begins at home. With one banana. One tray. And one small shift that, over time, can add up to something much bigger.

Ready to cut down on food waste without overhauling your whole routine? Smootheeze trays make it easy to freeze fresh ingredients before they go bad, no clumps, no plastic, no stress. Visit smootheeze.co to see how a simple kitchen swap can lead to smarter habits and less waste.