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Otter, a nine-month old Golden Retriever, was excited to visit Fofo's Treat booth at Elevation Farmers Market where she enjoyed tasty samples.

Featured Article

Healthy Bites for Happy Dogs

Locally Crafted Organic Dog Treats Bring Quality Ingredients and Tail-Wagging Flavor Together

Article by Julie E. Furnas

Photography by Sierra Confer

Originally published in Bend Lifestyle

Central Oregon is renowned for its dog-friendly environment. From Madras to Prineville to Sunriver, Redmond, Bend and La Pine – our region offers parks, trails, lakes and dog-friendly restaurants and bars for our furry friends to enjoy year-round. Additionally, Central Oregon boasts a wide array of custom, locally made products and treats for dogs that are widely available in local shops and outdoor farmer’s markets.

One of the newest product lines to hit the market is Fofo’s Dog Treats. Out of the kitchen of owners and dog lovers Ashley Grubbs and Orlando Amador, comes delicious treats made daily with wholesome ingredients such as bananas, blueberries, pumpkin and oatmeal.

“Fofo's Treats are 100% organic, with a lot of thought and love going into our flavors, types of treats, packaging and pricing. We want to be intentional about what we do and what we offer, which means we are super creative and offer a variety of different treats,” explains Grubbs.

As a fun hobby, Ashley and ‘Fofo,’ Orlando’s nickname, used to bake dog treats for their friends in Houston, Texas. When they moved to pet-friendly Bend, they continued to bake and simultaneously saw an opportunity in a market that was open for something unique and what friends had told them – super satisfying for dogs!  

The business ideas and product packaging strategy for Fofo’s was carefully planned and executed. Being that Fofo is the baker, it was an easy decision what to name the business. When Ashley and Orlando were creating the logo for their packaging, their German Shorthaired Pointer, Maverick, quickly became the inspiration because of his beautiful features. His adorable smiling face can be seen on all of Fofo’s dog treats, display containers and business cards.

“Our packaging has been majorly upgraded since we first started. We use a few different types of packaging right now and our main goal is for our customers to be able to see what they are buying and feeding their dog so most of our packages are completely clear or have a clear window in the front,” Grubbs notes.

While big grocery chains have a super wide variety of dog treats, buying locally sourced, organic dog treats has several key benefits.

Key Benefits:

Natural ingredients: Organic dog treats are made from high-quality, natural ingredients without synthetic additives, preservatives or artificial flavors and colors. This means your dog eats less chemicals and more wholesome ingredients that their bodies need.
Health Benefits. Several organic dog treats contain beneficial vitamins and nutrients that support a healthy immune system, improve digestion and healthy skin and coat.
Allergen Friendly and Better Taste. The less ingredients, the less allergens or ingredients that cause food sensitivities. The treats taste better because the ingredients are often fresh and not processed.
Transparency. Organic products sold at farmers markets often have clear labels and packaging, letting the shopper make informed decisions about what they are buying.
Supporting sustainability and local businesses. When we shop for organic food and specific homemade items, you’re not only supporting a local farmer or baker, but you are also supporting sustainable practices like organic farming and a smaller footprint on our planet.

Their most popular treats with their canine fans are called Rainbow Bites. “Our dog loves fruits and veggies, so we knew we wanted to have fruit and veggie flavors, with REAL ingredients. We also add eggshell and turmeric to all of our treats, and chamomile to our cookies,” says Grubbs. “Since our treats do not have any artificial ingredients and only natural preservatives, like honey, it’s best to store Fofo’s Treats out of the sunlight and in a sealed bag or container in a dark, dry place.”

“We always value feedback from customers and can't wait to continue bringing healthy, organic dog treats to Central Oregon,” says Grubbs.

For more information: find Fofo’s Treats on Facebook and Instagram.

@fofostreats

Finding Fofo’s Treats

Local Vet Clinic

Find Fofo’s Treats at Four Paws Wellness Center located at 600 NE Savannah Dr., Ste. 1, Bend.

Seasonal Markets

Currently, Ashley, Orlando and Maverick sell Fofo's Treats at farmers markets throughout Central Oregon, including Bend, Redmond, Sunriver, La Pine, Prineville and Madras.

Sample Jars at Local Establishments

Complimentary treat jars can be found at several local food carts, breweries and gathering spots, including UPP Liquids, On Tap Bend, Midtown Yacht Club, Sunriver Brewing in Sunriver, Crux Fermentation Project, Spider City Brewing and Prost.

Future Retail Expansion & Online Ordering

Future expansion into more local retail shops is planned. Keep up with the latest availability by checking out Fofo’s Treats on social media. Message them on social media or email them at woof@fofostreats.com.