Cornell University has a world-renown dairy science department. But alumnus Neal Gottlieb, the founder of Three Twins Ice Cream, graduated from the College of Human Ecology with a degree in consumer economics and housing. He did enroll in a milk quality course — for a day. He dropped the class because it conflicted with his rowing schedule. As for Cornell’s famed creamery, Gottlieb admits he was not a huge consumer of its dairy products, but he fondly remembers the 99-cent ice cream sandwiches.
These days, Gottlieb is building the brand of Three Twins Ice Cream, a processor of organic ice cream located in Petaluma, Calif. But don’t let that “organic” label pigeonhole the company. Gottlieb said Three Twins makes “inconceivably delicious ice cream” that happens to be made with organic milk, cream and other ingredients. He buys milk from eight family farmers in northern California. Wallaby Organic Yogurt, American Canyon, Calif., supplies the cream.