Product and promotion news

Searcy, Ark.-based Yarnell’s Ice Cream Co. has launched a program to help with the fight against breast cancer. The tie-in program is in collaboration with the Arkansas Affiliates of Susan G. Komen For the Cure®. At the program’s kick-off event last month, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe and representatives from the cancer medical community joined Komen representatives at the state capital to support this effort. “Thanks to our customers, this year we are celebrating our 75th anniversary. In honor of our customers, we are initiating a statewide effort to generate funds to support the breast cancer projects and research in Arkansas,” said Rogers Yarnell, company president. The centerpiece of the Yarnell’s program is a minimum total donation of $10,000 to be generated by sales of two new 75th anniversary ice cream products and a new pint product called Pink Promise™ that is designed specifically for the Komen for the Cure Affiliates. In addition, Yarnell’s will be a sponsor of Affiliate Race for the Cure® events.

Those busy folks at Modesto, Calif.-based Fiscalini Cheese Co. — whose 18-month Bandage Wrapped Cheddar just won top honors at London’s World Cheese Awards and who are expanding their facilities by leaps and bounds — have launched yet another new addition, a wonderfully savory Scotch Ale Cheddar dubbed Hopscotch. The label, which fittingly bears a Gold Medal insignia, shows one of California’s happiest holsteins dressed as a bagpiper in Heather Fiscalini’s Kerr family tartan. Hopscotch will be available in-store and online during the summer/fall period.

Ice cream devotees will have four more reasons to indulge at dipstands this summer. Perry’s Ice Cream, Akron, N.Y., has launched its new bulk-tub flavors, Birthday Bash, Blueberry Cheesecake, Heavenly Hash and Mango. “Perry’s recognizes that consumers are always looking for new and exciting flavors to add to their favorites,” says Robert Denning, president of Perry’s Ice Cream. “We have created four flavors appealing to all different types of ice cream fans. Birthday Bash is sure to be a hit with kids — and kids at heart — with its sweet cake batter flavor, and Blueberry Cheesecake is a cheesecake lovers dream come true. Heavenly Hash and Mango are past favorites we decided to bring back into the Perry’s lineup after numerous consumer requests.” Consumers can scoop up Birthday Bash, Blueberry Cheesecake, Heavenly Hash and Mango at dipstand locations across New York state and Western Pennsylvania.

Borden Dairy and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma hosted the 11th Annual Empty Bowls dinner and live auction in April at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel. The Empty Bowls event focuses on hunger awareness and the number of empty Oklahoman bowls each day. The dinner features soup, salad and bread from the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel, as well as fresh dairy products from Borden Dairy. “We were really excited to be a part of Empty Bowls this year,” says Bill Witt, general manager for Borden Dairy Tulsa. “The Food Bank is a tremendous lifeline for the needy residents of Tulsa and Borden Dairy is proud to partner with them to help make a difference in our community.” The event’s auction featured a variety of bowls, celebrity-autographed items and trips. The selection of bowls ranged from handmade and hand decorated by local artists to wooden bowls from Northeastern Oklahoma Woodturners Association. Bowls autographed by Rachel Ray, Al Roker and Lily Tomlin were also auctioned. Other items that were autographed include boxing gloves from Mohammed Ali and a Green Bay Packers football helmet from Brett Favre.