{"id":193,"date":"2012-06-14T16:03:59","date_gmt":"2012-06-14T16:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=193"},"modified":"2012-08-08T16:05:24","modified_gmt":"2012-08-08T16:05:24","slug":"state-agency-to-announce-grand-opening-of-marylands-best-ice-cream-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2012\/06\/14\/state-agency-to-announce-grand-opening-of-marylands-best-ice-cream-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"State Agency to Announce Grand Opening of Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 14, 2012) \u2013 The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will encourage all Marylanders to enjoy fresh, delicious, nutritious ice cream this summer when it unveils the newly minted: Maryland\u2019s Best Ice Cream Trail, a network of dairy farms across the state that produce ice cream right on the farm and sell it directly to consumers who visit. There are seven such dairy farms across the state and all are participating in MDA\u2019s Ice Cream Trail Blazer promotion. Under the program, Marylanders will pick up an Ice Cream Trail Blazer Passport at any of the seven creameries (and it will be available online at www.marylandsbest.net<\/a> starting June 20). \u00a0Residents will have the passport \u201cstamped\u201d at each creamery between June 20 and September 7, then submit it to MDA to be entered in a drawing for the grand prize, which includes a $50 gift certificate to your favorite creamery.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Why: <\/strong><\/div>\n
The purpose of the Ice Cream Trail is to highlight the important contributions of Maryland\u2019s 495 dairy farms which accounted for $182.7 million in sales in 2010; and to increase the public\u2019s general understanding of dairy farming by encouraging them to visit a farm and see what dairy farming is really like, all while enjoying delicious, locally produced ice cream.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Who:<\/strong><\/div>\n
Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting and various creamery operators.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
What:<\/strong><\/div>\n
Secretary Hance and Deputy Secretary Setting will officially open the \u201cMaryland\u2019s Best Ice Cream Trail\u201d and launch the Maryland Ice Cream Trail Blazer promotion by visiting three of the seven dairies and presenting them with their official \u201cMaryland\u2019s Best Ice Cream Trail\u201d sign and passports.<\/div>\n

\n<\/strong><\/div>\n
Where\/Where:\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n
Wednesday, June 20\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n
\n