Real Maine Ice Cream Trail Celebrates Maine Farm Products
Real Maine offers statewide promotions (print, radio, web and news stories) to encourage visitors to meet participating members and support Maine agriculture year-round. There is no fee for farms and brands that use Maine farm ingredients to join Real Maine or the voluntary promotional opportunities, such as the Real Maine Ice Cream Trail. Members can refer to DACF’s agritourism resources to help their event planning as they invite the public to celebrate and explore Maine farms and connect to Maine farm products year-round.
Why is the Real Maine Ice Cream Trail Special?
The Real Maine Ice Cream Trail brings together Maine businesses with a shared passion for local dairy farms and delicious frozen treats. The participating locations proudly feature Maine-made ice cream made with Maine milk and cream from Maine dairy farms. The “Trail” is promoted as a list of sites that people can visit throughout Maine. It began in 2021, after brainstorming with farmers, scoop shops and businesses about ways to feature special local business connections. Real Maine seeks to add more sites to help people connect with local businesses while enjoying delicious, Maine-made dairy treats! If you’re a brand or business that might like to join, please find details below. If you’re a Maine ice cream enthusiast, please feel free to share this with your favorite location.
Who Should Join the Trail?
Farms with a DACF Maine dairy license that make their own ice cream and other frozen treats, like gelato, made from Maine milk, and have a retail location that customers can visit (scoop shop, farmstand, etc.)
Scoop shops that make their own ice cream and source milk and or cream (as well as other ingredients) from Maine farms, and are open to the public.
Scoop shops that purchase wholesale products from Maine ice cream plants, which make ice cream using Maine milk and/or cream.
What Is the Deadline to Join the Trail?
You are welcome to sign up year-round.
To take full advantage of all promotional opportunities, we encourage you to sign up or update your information by May 1.
The promotional activities kick-off each June during dairy month promotional campaigns, and continue throughout the warmer months to encourage tasty explorations throughout the state.
Join the Trail and Become a Real Maine Member
Ready to join the no-added-cost promotional program to support Maine’s farms, farm products and related businesses?
Use the sign up form to become a Real Maine member and to sign up for statewide the Real Maine Ice Cream Trail.
Does your farm or scoop shop host its own events throughout the year? Consider adding it to the Real Maine calendar! Use the “Submit an Event” feature in the member portal. You can enter a customized description, location, and event hours. Event requests are reviewed and typically appear Real Maine’s online event calendar within two business days. Tip: submit any event requests at least 3-4 weeks before an event date, if not sooner.
It takes at least 24 hours for updates to appear on the Real Maine website. Contact us for help
You can refresh your member listing at any time. Account changes take at least 24 hours for updates to appear on the Real Maine website. Contact us for help
