An ice cream trail launched in Massachusetts for the first time is bringing exposure to local dairy farms one scoop at a time.
The Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail is designed to celebrate the rich history of ice cream making in the state by introducing people to farms that use local dairy products to make their ice cream.
“We know that California has wine tours, well we have ice cream tours,” Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said during the trail’s launch event at Richardsons Ice Cream in Middleton on Thursday. “We’re here to demonstrate why these products are so great.”
The trail features more than 100 ice cream destinations, which are visible on either a print or digital map. The map lists all applicable dairy farms by region, such as Greater Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands, Central Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts.
“This is the perfect way to explore Massachusetts,” Kate Fox, Executive Director at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, said. “You’ll discover hidden gems, charming towns, unique ice cream shops with incredible flavors and beautiful farm settings.”
The Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail is a guide to the state’s dairy farms that use locally-sourced dairy products to make ice cream.David Cifarelli
The trail is also crucial for helping keep the state’s agro-tourism alive, Sarah Stanton, undersecretary of Economic Strategies, said.
“We’re focusing really meaningfully on small business, the creative economy and tourism,” she said. “We have all of these beautiful farms. We’ve got great food. We’ve got great ice cream.”
Massachusetts is home to 95 dairy farms that contribute more than $61 million to the state’s economy each year, according to a press release from Governor Maura Healy’s Office. These farms also produce more than 20 million gallons of milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and — of course — ice cream.
“From cow to cone, you’re getting to experience Massachusetts dairy at its best. From every location that you get to visit, from the Berkshires to Barnstable County, there’s a new flavor you can try at each farm stand or location,” said Ashley Randall, commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). “We’re really excited here to celebrate not only tourism and economic development but the sense of community that our dairy farms are.”
The Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail was made possible through a collaboration between MDAR, the Massachusetts Dairy Promotion Board, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and local dairy farmers.
