The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-headquartered National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) is celebrating National Ice Cream Month in the USA this July.
And there is a lot to celebrate, in terms of volume, value and flavor that’s savored, as Americans consumed 12.1 pounds of ice cream per person in 2019. They enjoy the sweet treat often – 73% of consumers eat ice cream at least once per week, and 84% prefer to purchase ice cream at the grocery store and eat it at home.
Fortune Business Insights estimates the global ice cream market will reach $97.85 billion in 2027, up from $71.52 billion in 2021. That’s a 37% jump in less than a decade.
Plus, ice cream and novelties are a family affair and not just for those enjoying it. The majority of ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturers in the United States have been in business for more than 50 years, and many are still family-owned businesses.
Fun Facts
• The top three flavors of ice cream are Chocolate, Cookies ‘N Cream and Vanilla
• Chocolate is the most popular topping sauce
• Strawberries are the most popular fruit topping
• Cookies are the most popular confection topping
• Chocolate was the first ice cream flavor ever invented
• The world record for most ice cream eaten is 16.5 pints in six minutes, set by Miki Sudo
• The average dairy cow produces enough milk in its lifetime to make 7,500 gallons of ice cream
• Ice cream cones were first introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri by concessions vendors as a way for people to eat ice cream easily while at the fair
• More than two billion popsicles are sold each year
Keep It Cool
Proper storage and handling of ice cream and novelties helps to maintain the high quality and good taste of the products. The NFRA reminds shoppers to make the ice cream aisle their last stop in the grocery store. Keep frozen purchases in a separate section of the cart while shopping and pack cream in an additional brown paper bag for the ride home. It also suggests that frozen treats should be stored in the main part of the home freezer, not on the door, where they are subject to more fluctuating temperatures.
