In 1984, President Ronald Reagan deemed July as National Ice Cream month. He also designated the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He saw ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that was enjoyed by 90% of the nation’s population. The US ice cream industry produces revenue of 6.8 billion of the markets overall value. Almost 9 % of all the milk produced by dairy farmers in the US is used to make ice cream.
History of Ice Cream
Although the specific date nor the inventor of ice cream is known, it is thought to reach as far back as the second century B.C. It is known that Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar and during the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar would send runners into the mountains for snow which he then flavored with fruits and juices. Thousands of years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy with a recipe that resembles what we now know as sherbet. England also seemed to discover “Cream Ice” around the same time. Ice Cream was a rare dessert and was not make public until its first appearance in 1660 in the Café Procope in Paris. The first advertisement for ice cream in the US appeared in the New York Gazette in 1777, when confectioner Philip Lenzi announced that ice cream was available “almost every day.” Records show that President Washington, President Jefferson, and President Madison ate great amounts of ice cream during their presidency. Until the 1800s ice cream was only eaten by the most elite citizens. When insulated ice houses were invented manufacturing ice cream became an industry. This was pioneered by a Baltimore milk dealer names Jacob Fussell. The ice cream production grew when the technological innovations grew. With packing machines, electric power, and freezing processes and equipment, ice cream production was taken to a whole new level. Due to constant technological advances, the annual production of ice cream in the US is more than 1.6 billion gallons. Ice cream was also used as a morale booster during World War II. Each military branch tried to outdo the other by serving ice cream to its troops. After the war ended and the dairy product rationing was lifted, Americans celebrated their victory with ice cream. In 1946, Americans consumed over 20 quarts of ice cream per person. No matter what the occasion is ice cream is a treat that is appropriate for any party. It’s an easy, delicious treat that the entire family enjoys. So make the most of this month and celebrate National Ice Cream Month by supporting your local ice cream shops!
- Dairy Queen, Harleysville
- Pop pop’s yogurt, Skippack
- Rita’s Water ice, Harleysville