Press Releases
The Ice Cream Club® In the News!
Heather Draper, Director, The Ice Cream Club, Inc. joins esteemed panel discussion, “ From Results to Recalls: Trends in Food Safety Recognition, Response and Risk Mitigation”
April 30, 2024
Heather Draper, Director, The Ice Cream Club, Inc. joins esteemed panel discussion, “ From Results to Recalls: Trends in Food Safety Recognition, Response and Risk Mitigation” at the 2024 American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) Annual Conference in Chicago Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
The Ice Cream Club, Inc. takes 1st place in a blind taste test of over 250 industry peers in the Most Innovation Flavor Prototype for “ Insta Graham” at the 2024 International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Technology Conference.
April 10, 2024
The Ice Cream Club, Inc. takes 1st place in a blind taste test of over 250 industry peers in the Most Innovation Flavor Prototype for “ Insta Graham” at the 2024 International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Technology Conference.
Insta Graham will be coming soon in June 2024, see flavor description,
Attendees of annual Ice Cream Technology Conference come up with innovative flavors in Clearwater
April 2024
Read the full article here. Ice Cream Club provides the ice cream to the Ice & Cream Creamery.
IDFA Celebrates Women’s History Month with Resources and Programming to Advance Gender Equality
March 2024
The Dairy Download – Dishing on Ice Cream – IDFA
July 2023
The sun is out, temperatures are rising and kids are out of school. It’s summer – time for flip flops, pool time and a few scoops of ice cream. In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we talk with a few leaders dishing out delicious in the frozen treat space.
First, we hear from Jinny Lam, Director of Category Growth for Ice Cream at Tillamook County Creamery Association. What does the path look like from dairy farm to ice cream churn? How does Tillamook market and differentiate its ice cream in dairy cases across the country? Lam tells us more.
Next, we speak to Rich and Heather Draper, owners of The Ice Cream Club. How has ice cream consumption changed over their 41 years in business? Where do they see opportunities for growth? The husband-and-wife duo weighs in.
Listen to the Interview: The Dairy Download – Dishing on Ice Cream – IDFA
IDFA Foundation, Members Donate to Food Bank
May 2023
Rich and Heather Draper volunteer along with International Dairy Foods Association Board members to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. A total of more than 40 staff and board members sorted and packaged more than 14,000 pounds of food for the hungry in the Nashville area. The IDFA Foundation also coordinated a shipment of 1,615 cases of shelf-stable, 2% white milk to the food bank by Diversified Foods Inc. of Louisiana and Prairie Farms Dairy of Illinois. We are so grateful to Diversified and Prairie Farms for their generosity. Altogether, the efforts today are expected to provide more than 32,000 meals to food insecure people in the area on behalf of the IDFA Foundation and its donors in U.S. dairy.
Read the Article: IDFA Foundation, members donate to food bank
International Dairy Foods Association Ice Cream Technology and Yogurt and Cultured Innovations Conference
April 2023
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at International Dairy Foods Association Ice Cream Technology and Yogurt and Cultured Innovations Conference Rich Draper, CEO, Ice Cream Club, joins panel for talk about the future of the ice cream industry. The panel consisted of, from left to right, Brian Berk from Dairy Foods Magazine as the session moderator, Rich Draper, CEO, Ice Cream Club, Dave Deadman, CEO, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company and Ted Galloway, Vice President for Galloway Company and General Manager of their solely owned subsidiary Classic Mix Partners.
What is the Role of All Star’s Board of Directors? Rich Draper, CEO, Interviewed by All Star Purchasing.
Dairy Leaders Fly-In to Washington Focused on Supply Chain, Workforce and Trade Issues
December 2021
The dairy industry continues to experience tremendous growth. Taken together, 2020 and 2021 are two of the strongest years on record for dairy sales. However, headwinds for our industry are growing stronger. Congestion at the ports, a shortage of truck drivers, inability to find workers, and unfair trade practices are a few of the many issues making it harder for dairy producers and processors to take advantage of the record demand for dairy both in the U.S. and abroad.
Read the Article: Dairy Leaders Fly-In to Washington Focused on Supply Chain, Workforce and Trade Issues
Letter from Michael Dykes, D.V.M. -President and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association
December 2021
Dear IDFA Leaders,
This week, IDFA board members traveled to Washington, D.C., and met with Congressional leaders and senior administration officials to discuss priority issues for the dairy industry. The two-day event focused on supply chain, labor, and trade issues affecting our industry. All of the Senators and Representatives we met with were sympathetic to our concerns and many agreed to take affirmative steps to help alleviate short-term and longer-term supply chain challenges. For example, we expect that our meetings will result in additional cosponsors for legislation that addresses port congestion issues—namely, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021—as well as support for additional shorter-term actions that the Administration might take to facilitate the timely export of dairy products. Over the course of the Strategic Legislative Fly-In, our dairy leaders had 14 meetings.
Read the Article: Letter to IDFA Leaders
Rich and Heather Draper of The Ice Cream Club Receive IDFA’s 2019 Food Safety Leadership Award
January 2019
Rich and Heather Draper of The Ice Cream Club, Inc., received the International Dairy Foods Association’s 2019 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum this week in Orlando, Florida. The award, now in its third year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry. Rich is the CEO and Heather is director of the company, which is located in Boynton Beach, Florida.”
Read the Article: Rich and Heather Draper of The Ice Cream Club Receive IDFA’s 2019 Food Safety Leadership Award
Dairy Leaders Hit Capitol Hill to Talk Trade, Farm Bill
December 2017
“Members of IDFA’s board of directors arrived in Washington, D.C., this week to meet with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill and senior members of the Trump administration at the White House complex and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the next two days, the dairy leaders will discuss IDFA’s farm bill priorities and the importance of a proactive U.S. trade agenda.”
Read the Article: Dairy Leaders Hit Capitol Hill to Talk Trade, Farm Bill
Baked, Buttery Flavors ‘Take the Cake’ at IDFA’s Ice Cream Technology Conference
March 2017
In the category of Most Innovative Ice Cream Flavors, second place honors went to Dulce De Leche Cheesecake, a sweet caramel cheesecake ice cream swirled with a caramel ribbon and chunks of creamy cheesecake, submitted by The Ice Cream Club.
Read the Article: Baked, Buttery Flavors ‘Take the Cake’ at IDFA’s Ice Cream Technology Conference
Keeping Food Safety Crisis at Bay
March 2016
“March 2016 issue of O’Dwyer’s Magazine runs article titled, “Keeping Food Safety Crisis at Bay” by Stacey Stevens, FoodMinds, LLC, which features The Ice Cream Club®, Inc as a shining example of top down corporate approach to food safety.”
Read the Article: Keeping Food Safety Crisis at Bay
International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) names Heather Draper the 2016 Chair of the Political Action Committee (PAC).
February 2016
IDFA Welcome’s PAC Chair Heather Draper! IDFA is honored and delighted that Heather Draper of The Ice Cream Club has agreed to serve as our PAC Chair for the important 2016 Election Year! As you all know, Heather has been a vocal advocate for the PAC since joining the Committee in 2012. We look forward to her strong leadership and tireless efforts this year!
Baked, Buttery Flavors ‘Take the Cake’ at IDFA’s Ice Cream Technology Conference
DairyReporter.com, January 2016
Rich Draper, CEO, The Ice Cream Club, quoted in Dairyreporter.com
Read the Article: Dairy food safety is ‘industry must’, starts with execs
Fostering a Culture of Food Safety: Lessons from the C-Suite
“IDFA” 2016 Dairy Forum, January 26, 2016
International Dairy Foods Association “IDFA” 2016 Dairy Forum – Rich Draper, CEO, The Ice Cream Club, Boynton Beach, FL participates in panel titled: Fostering a Culture of Food Safety: Lessons from the C-Suite.
Read the full article here: Fostering a Culture of Food Safety: Lessons from the C-Suite
Caution: Company Under Pressure.
“IDFA” 2016 Dairy Forum, January 26, 2016
International Dairy Foods Association “IDFA” 2016 Dairy Forum – Heather Draper, Director, The Ice Cream Club, Boynton Beach, FL participates in panel titled: Caution: Company Under Pressure.
Read the full article here: Caution: Company Under Pressure.
The Ice Cream Club® BIG Winner of Coveted Award!
Press Release, November, 2015
Local company, The Ice Cream Club®, Inc. was the BIG winner of the coveted “Grand Master – Ice Cream Maker” at the 2015 National Ice Cream Retailers Association (NICRA) in St Petersburg, Florida. This prestigious title was awarded to The Ice Cream Club® for earning multiple Blue Ribbons over the past 5 years.
Please click below to view and read the full article: The Ice Cream Club Wins Grand Master – Ice Cream Maker Award
The Ice Cream Club® Featured in INC. Magazine
Press Release, October 31, 2015
The Ice Cream Club® was recently featured in an article in INC. magazine in an article titled “Ryder and The Ice Cream Club, Rewarding Membership for Three Decades“.
Please click below to view and read the full article: Ryder and The Ice Cream Club, Rewarding Membership for Three Decades
The Ice Cream Club, Inc. Wins IDFA Award
Press Release, April 1, 2015
The Ice Cream Club wins 2nd place in International Dairy Foods Association “IDFA” 2015 Innovation Ice Cream Flavor Contest for Frutos Del Bosque aka Fruits of the Forest….You only need to hike to a freezer to taste this decadent and refreshing black raspberry ice cream overflowing with strawberries, maraschino cherries and mixed berries found in a forest.
Rich Draper Featured in Dairy Foods Magazine
Press Release, March 2015
Read Dairy Foods ‘Flavor (and inclusions) rule the ice cream market’ Article dated March 9, 2015 for commentary from Rich Draper, CEO The Ice Cream Club.
Associations Welcome New Board Members; IICA Elects Secretary
by Peggy Armstrong, IDFA – Press Release, October 2014
During the fall board meetings last week, IDFA and its three constituent organizations – the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA) – named 15 new board members. Also, Rich Draper, CEO of The Ice Cream Club, Inc. (pictured), was elected secretary of IICA. “IDFA is extremely grateful for the industry professionals who serve as officers and directors. They provide our organization with a strong foundation and contribute a wealth of wisdom and energy,” said Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO.
This artisan premium ice cream maker uses old-fashioned production techniques
by Jim Carper, Dairy Foods Magazine – Front cover of magazine, May 2014
When an ice cream processor tells me, “We do things a little differently than most,” I think to myself, “That’s what they all say.” True, most dairies do create unique recipes and flavors, but it still comes down to processing, filling and packaging, and how many variations on those themes can there be?
Meet The Ice Cream Club of Boynton Beach, FL.
“Come on,” said Co-Founder and Senior Vice President Tom Jackson. “We’re starting to fill.”
Welcome to the Ice Cream Club
by Jim Carper, Dairy Foods Magazine – Front cover of magazine, May 2014
If you are the second- or third-generation family member running a dairy operation, chances are you were too young (or not yet born) to recall the enormity of starting up the business. Often, these dairy entrepreneurs did not have a lot of cash, reams of marketing data or industry-specific knowledge. They had dreams and a belief in their ability to succeed. They rolled up their sleeves and built their businesses hour by hour, customer by customer.
This is the story of the first generation of The Ice Cream Club and how the owners built it from a single scoop shop into a wholesaler selling throughout the southeastern United States.
They’ve Got The Scoop For Sweet Tooths!
by Palm Beach Post – Front cover of Business section, March 2, 2014
The Ice Cream Club, Inc. responds to demand for direct to consumer ice cream and launches a new mail order site for their award winning products.
Include Dairy Freedom Act in next farm bill
An editorial written by Richard Draper and featured in the Miami Herald raising concerns over the proposed farm bill.
Maria E Rodriguez, Director of The Ice Cream Club® Quality Control Division, earns prestigious Certified Food Scientist designation.
IICA Member Testifies before House Committee on Small Business
Richard D Draper, CEO & Co-Founder, The Ice Cream Club®, was invited to testify Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at a hearing of the Committee on Small Business of the U.S. House of Representatives entitled, Reducing Federal Agency Overreach: Modernizing the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Below please find a link to the article that ran in The International Dairy Foods Association website along with a link to his full testimony.
http://www.idfa.org/news–views/headline-news/details/5823/
The Ice Cream Club® remains committed to lending a voice to the many issues affecting small business and is actively involved in The International Dairy Foods Association, All Star Dairy Association, National Ice Cream Retailers Association and Localecopia.
We All Scream For Locally Made Ice Cream!
The Ice Cream Club was recently featured in Our Wonderful World magazine as a featured eco-friendly manufacturer. Read about how The Ice Cream Club strives to reduce their carbon footprint:
Cheese Market News February 8, 2013 Cover Story
On January 28, 2013 the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) holds Dairy Forum in Orlando, Florida.. Attendance at the Forum totals over 1,000 Members. Panelists of general Session Titles: “Strategies for Innovation: Keyhole or Black Hole”, consist of Richard Draper, CEO & Co-Founder, The Ice Cream Club®, Inc, Barry Calpino, Vice President of Global Breakthrough Innovation, N.A., New Product Development, Kraft Foods Group, Inc, and Kristi Jankowski, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Sargento Foods, Inc. The Moderator, Mike Neu, SVP, Cultures & Enzymes, Chr. Hansen, Inc lead the panel in a healthy discussion of the importance of innovation for survival and the varied approaches to innovation by The Ice Cream Club®, Kraft Foods Group and Sargento Foods. This Session received tremendous audience participation in the form of numerous questions submitted to the Moderator during the discussion for the three panelist to address. Richard Draper stated that, “The Ice Cream Club® approach to innovation is pretty straightforward; we study the competition, many present in the room today, we try to figure out what they can’t do or won’t do and then charge forward on those items in an effort to survive. We’ll never be the low-cost producer so we focus on the hard-to make flavors, value added flavors and multiple ingredient flavors. We still fill our tubs, one at a time, hand-filled, to replicate the artisan style we started with, all be it but on a much bigger scale.” So much industry buzz was created by this session that Cheese Market News ran this story as its cover story in the February 8, 2013 edition. For those of you who do not receive this industry Newspaper you can view the entire article here.
Palm Beach Daily News Article
Palm Beach Daily News January 24, 2013 Edition Runs Article titled ‘Here’s the Scoop’ which features The Ice Cream Club®. Read the article here.
November 2012 Press Release: THE ICE CREAM CLUB® WINS NATIONAL ICE CREAM AWARD
Each year, the National Ice Cream Retailers Association (NICRA) sponsors an ice cream clinic for members who make their own ice cream. At the 79th annual convention held November 7-10, 2012 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Greenville, South Carolina, The Ice Cream Club® received a Blue Ribbon Certificate for their submission of Vanilla Bean ice cream. The ice cream was analyzed by a select dairy judging team headed by Dr. Johnny McGregor, Clemson University and then scored for it’s attributes in flavor, body, texture, color, melt quality , bacterial count and other factors while being compared to established ice cream standards. The NICRA ice cream clinic offers the membership an opportunity to learn about and improve their ice cream by comparing it to other samples from across the United States. NICRA, a trade organization established in 1933, with members from the United States, Canada and several countries, promotes and helps ice cream entrepreneurs prosper. NICRA congratulates The Ice Cream Club® on the achievement of this coveted award.
Ice Cream Club® February 2013 Newsletter
Click here to view the latest Ice Cream Club newsletter.