No matter what time of year it is, many Americans enjoy eating ice cream and other frozen treats. It may not be surprising to learn that 90% of households throughout the United States indulge on a regular basis. In fact, research conducted by the NPD Group revealed that 40% of Americans will consume ice cream within any two-week period. Furthermore, the proverbial average American will have this popular treat 28.5 times during this year.
A Brief Overview of Ice Cream Production
Every year, approximately 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and other similar desserts are produced in this country. The most ice cream is produced in June, however. This is likely due to preparing for National Ice Cream Month in July. Thanks to U.S. dairy farmers, roughly nine percent of the milk they produce goes into the creation of ice cream.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavors
While each individual will tend to have a favorite flavor or two, vanilla continues to be a popular choice to fill their paper ice cream cup up to the brim. A recent survey was conducted by the International Ice Cream Association member companies that reinforced this view. According to the survey, vanilla was the most popular flavor for 28% of their consumers.
Stock up on Ice Cream Supplies for Your Shop
Whether you own or operate an ice cream shop, a bistro, or another specialty store, you know how important it is to be well-stocked. Here are just a few of the ice cream shop supplies that you will always want to have on your shelves:
- Paper ice cream cups
- Ice cream cups with lids
- Ice cream spoons
- Tasting spoons
Once you have these and other supplies on-hand, you’ll be ready to provide your customers with an enjoyable experience. If you offer gelato and frozen yogurt along with traditional ice cream, having extra tasting spoons on hand may encourage your customers to explore new flavors. While some people may want to sit down for an ice cream sundae, others may prefer to take their decadent dessert to-go. Given the popularity of ice cream, it’s not unusual for some customers to have a scoop or two and take a container home for later.