National Ice Cream Month: 5 Brands That Are Leaving Sweet Impressions
Happy National Ice Cream Month! We know, we know: it sounds a bit ridiculous to dedicate a whole month to ice cream, right? The way we see it, we’ve been forced to tackle issues and injustices every day. Between losing abortion rights, racially-motivated shootings and adjusting to rising inflation with no increase in pay…we’re hot and bothered. We deserve to cool off.
If cooling off includes celebrating National Ice Cream Month…then so be it. We’re taking whatever win comes our way, regardless if it comes in a cup or cone. We’ll gladly scoop it up!
To celebrate National Ice Cream Month, we’re highlighting a few brands that are keeping us refreshed and inspired:
Noble Folk
Sonoma County, California
A fitting name for a flourishing company, Noble Folk has all the charm and coziness of a traditional ice cream shop. Noble Folk also sells a variety of desserts, which is reminiscent of their first business, Moustache Baked Goods.
As a LGBTQ+ owned shop, Noble Folk is committed to celebrating delicious treats and overall diversity and inclusion (such as consistently supporting the Black, transgender, and related minority communities). Additionally, selling treasured treats aren’t their only act of service: Noble Folk provided major food assistance to farmers affected by the Kincade Fire. A sense of community is always a sweet craving to be fulfilled!
Flavors I’d Like To Try: Salted Caramel and Lemon + Lavender
Cajou Creamery
Baltimore, Maryland
Looking to take a trip? All you need is a spoon, a taste for global cuisine, and a viola: Cajou Creamery has the frozen treats to introduce you to a whole new world! This Black-owned plant-based ice cream company uses real ingredients (all responsibly-sourced!) to create enticing ice cream flavors that celebrate the beauty of discovery.
Everyone deserves a sweet chance, and Cajou Creamery especially believes in this sentiment! The co-founders are currently working to open a manufacturing facility, where they intend to employ citizens reentering society and the workforce. Ice cream with a side of intentionality has never been more refreshing.
Flavor I’d Like to Try: Blueberry Cheesecake
Dear Bella Creamery
Los Angeles, California
Vegan? Check. Plant-based? Check. Wonderfully original with flavors that honor culture and tradition? Check! Dear Bella Creamery was manifested into reality after the co-founders spent time reminiscing on dreams and treats from their Asian-American childhoods.
With creative flavors that infuse American and Chinese traditions, Dear Bella Creamery brings to life ice cream that satisfies your biggest craving and wildest imagination.
Flavors I’d Like to Try: Marble Cheesecake and Strawberry Fields
Mikey Likes It Ice Cream
New York, NY
Offering a fresh spin on frozen desserts, Mikey Likes It Ice Cream is a Black-owned ice cream shop whose flavors are inspired by pop culture. Classic ice cream flavors are reimagined with clever names honoring music references, such as “Mint Condition” (natural mint and chocolate) and “Ice Ice Mikey” (three-way blend of vanilla). It’s a groovy and gracious way to indulge in good ice cream and good company!
True to their brand, Mikey Likes It Ice Cream partnered with Geico and hip-hop duo Tag Team to create “Scoop, There It Is,” a viral commercial that celebrated the deliciousness of innovation and ice cream. Creating a new flavor after this collaboration was the cherry on top for this ice cream shop!
My Favorite Flavor: Pink Floyd (strawberry and cheesecake)
Ben & Jerry’s
This staple brand has been serving ice cream for years with a side of activism! Not one to leave burning topics and issues out in the cold, Ben & Jerry’s often uses their platform to push forward movements: racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, climate justice, and campaign finance reform. We greatly admire a company that’s dedicated to providing soft-serve ice cream and hard-fought activism.
My Favorite Flavors: Strawberry Cheesecake and Peanut Butter Cup