Today, Pennsylvania officials launched the 2025 Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail at Destiny Dairy Bar in Cumberland County. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger were present at the event, which highlights 51 PA Preferred creameries across the state.
“Pennsylvania ice cream is the sweetest you’ll find anywhere,” said Secretary Redding. He emphasized that supporting local farms through ice cream purchases helps sustain Pennsylvania’s economy. The trail has been connecting farm families with ice cream enthusiasts since 2018.
DCED Secretary Rick Siger noted, “Pennsylvania’s dairy farms are an integral part of the fabric that makes up our rich agricultural and culinary history.” He added that the Shapiro Administration aims to support tourism and agriculture to preserve history and bolster small businesses.
Destiny Dairy Bar offers visitors activities such as feeding calves and petting animals. Owner Amy Brickner expressed her enthusiasm for hosting the kickoff event, stating, “This trail is all about celebrating the small, local creameries that pour their heart into every scoop.”
Participants can plan their visits on visitpa.com/scooped and earn prizes by visiting trail stops from May 30 to September 7. Prizes include a commemorative tumbler for six stops or an entry into a grand prize drawing for an overnight getaway to Lancaster County after ten stops.
With nearly 5,000 dairy farms, Pennsylvania ranks eighth in milk production nationally. The state’s dairy industry supports over 47,000 jobs and contributes $11.8 billion annually to the economy.
Emily Barge from the Center for Dairy Excellence remarked on the importance of family-owned dairy farms in Pennsylvania. “The Ice Cream Trail is a fun way for families from Pennsylvania and beyond to actually meet the dairy farm families who work around the clock,” she said.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy prioritizes tourism and agriculture, encouraging exploration of Pennsylvania’s attractions through initiatives like Visit PA’s “Great American Getaway.” Visitor spending significantly impacts Pennsylvania’s economy, supporting over 330,000 jobs statewide.
Trail participants are encouraged to share their experiences using #PAScoops on social media platforms associated with visitpa.com.
Information from this article can be found here.
