George Jenkins and Joe Blanton turn on the power in the Lakeland Dairy Manufacturing Plant.

Publix Premium ice cream is one of the retailer’s most beloved private brand ranges. Whether customers enjoy it from a bowl, on a cone, or with a favorite baked good, kids and adults of all ages just can’t get enough of this classic dessert. While shoppers may have a Publix Premium ice cream flavor, have you ever wondered how this iconic treat first entered first came to Publix freezers? Legend has it, you can thank past Publix President, Mr. Joe Blanton, whose love for ice cream and dream of building a dairy at Publix led to the creation of Publix’s first private label ice cream products.

Publix first began producing ice cream in 1980 at their Lakeland Dairy Manufacturing Plant. Back then, chocolate and vanilla were among the first flavors to be produced. More ice cream flavors were added to the lineup starting in 1982, and it wasn’t long before their Atlanta dairy manufacturing plant joined the ice cream manufacturing party in 1995. While there have been hundreds of different flavors over the years between the two plants, vanilla continues to be the most popular flavor.

Today, Publix continues to make the frozen treats at both facilities to keep up with demand; combined, they produce over 140,000 half-gallon containers per day. Between all the different product lines (including Limited Edition, Homemade Style, Light, Light with Artificial Sweeteners, Frozen Yogurt and Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert), Publix churns more than 120 different varieties.

Ice cream flavors have certainly changed over time, but Publix Premium ice cream is still made the old-fashioned way with milk and cream – no cutting corners. Publix product developers carefully select the inclusions, choose quality ingredients and make these frozen treats in dedicated facilities to ensure the final products meet the retailer’s high-quality standards. This all comes together to produce rich, creamy flavors.

SOURCE: The Publix Checkout