Late last summer Ben & Jerry’s announced, after pressure from a Change.org petition, that they would be launching, a new line of dairy-free ice creams. The new line has hit the shelves this month. Made with almond milk, the dairy free line of products includes tasty perennials Chunky Monkey, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Coffee Caramel Fudge, and P.B. & Cookies.
Which begs the question: With our tourist season just around the corner, is it time for Brown Dog to ditch the dairy and go vegan?
As cool as they are, Ben & Jerry are also shrewd business people, so the decision to release a dairy-free line coincides with the fact that consumer demand for milk alternatives is skyrocketing. People, especially children and young adults are becoming more concerned about the impact that their food choices have on the planet and animals. B&J have taken on the challenge of providing alternatives that can replace the traditional animal products, and surpass them in taste, wholesomeness and quality.
“Creating these new flavors with a non-dairy base composition that meets the high expectations of Ben & Jerry’s consumers was quite a challenge. We wanted to bring the same fun with all of the creamy, funky, and chunky swirls plus the Ben & Jerry’s flavor excitement to our non-dairy fans and we nailed it! ,” Kirsten Schimoler, from Ben&Jerry press release. “
According to data from the USDA, Americans drink 37 percent less milk today than they did in 1970, and are turning to plant-based alternatives like almond, soy, and coconut milk. Many of these choices are from people who are not only concerned about their health, but also want to find a way to live that minimizes cruelty to animals.
Okay, we’re not saying Brown Dog should go completely vegan (at least, not all at once), but, for this season, it would be nice to see two or three cruelty free flavors. People may be surprised that you can make delicious food choices that do not promote the cruelty and exploitation of animals, and do not have an adverse effect on the environment.
Editor’s note: ‘Come Here’ can be slightly imperious in certain situations, depending on the relationship to space and time, language and culture; also, to imply to ‘come here’, in Spanish and French, is to ‘come home’, so, Come Here’s do not have to go home, since they are already there.
First it was Yard-Birds, now Cows? Really?…….Come-Heres…..GO HOME!!!
It’s cruel to milk a cow? I thought they got uncomfortable if you DIDN’T milk them?
Editor’s note: we believe that is why they have calves.
I hope the Brown Dog continues to serve what has made them successful. If they believe that a vegan option will help the bottom line then by all means go for it. On the other hand, to bow to the moral elitist who want to force their agenda on a private business at the potential peril of that business is a dangerous path to take.
Editor’s Note: Chasing the bottom line over a moral categorical imperative would seem the more dangerous path, “Every young man would do well to remember that all successful business stands on the foundation of morality.”-Henry Ward Beecher.
I LOVE Brown Dog ice cream. My body does not; I must take an enzyme in pill form in order to eat it, but there are still “side effects”. This condition is known as lactose intolerence. ( Science is still working on a pill for people intolerance, but so far no success). Hopefully, Brown Dog will offer coconut, almond and/or cashew milk ice cream this summer. I currently buy a caramel chocolate covered cashew ,cashew milk ice cream, and a few other flavors, when I can find them. It seems I am competing with many others for the same products. I would be willing to pay an upcharge for the Brown Dog product. Brown Dog enetering that market, makes good business sense.
Note: Many people, probably more than even realize it, are lactose intolerant. Basically, cow’s milk was meant for calves, not for human consumption, so if it creates adverse health effects, lactose intolerance, bloating etc., that shouldn’t come as a big surprise.
Dear Editor,
It is ice cream. I have never been in the Brown Dog and was looking forward to trying it. I guess I can scratch that off my to do list since they obviously don’t have a “foundation of morality”. The nerve….
Editor’s Note: Close reading can be helpful, as in this piece, it says, “Okay, we’re not saying Brown Dog should go completely vegan (at least, not all at once), but, for this season, it would be nice to see two or three cruelty free flavors.” We’re all for folks having a choice, we just advocate for thinking about them more…also, if you do like ice cream, the Mirror recommends that you ignore us, follow your own heart, and try Brown Dog this season…it is probably the best ice cream you will ever eat.
No Politically Correct ice cream is needed on The Shore.
Note: Would you know where we could purchase Politically Correct ice cream? It sound’s delicious.
Note: Don’t be smart….it is not becoming of you.
Don’t be smart? I think you mean “don’t be clever. Don’t challenge me.” All of us could use more intelligence and compassion where animalwelfare is concerned.
.
I think I will enjoy staying on top of the food chain….
“Facepalm”!
Less Time in Front of The Horse…..
…….than there was Riding in The Cart!
My favorite ice-cream is rosemary dark chocolate. It is made in the store using organic ingredients, with no dairy content. Other fantastic flavors at this store are lavender passion fruit and raspberry mint. These nondairy versions are creamier and yummier than any dairy ice-cream flavors I have sampled – anywhere. It might be worth a try; the Brown Dog owner has the imagination to create wonderful non-dairy flavors with broad appeal.
Editor’s Note: Story written by Wayne Creed. Even as the so-called yogurt shop which has been in the process of opening for 8 years may one day grace Front Street, cow’s milk is the main ingredient in most yogurts (sometimes goat or bison are used due to high levels of fat), so not sure what point you were trying to make. As for picking a fight with Brown Dog, we recommend you educate yourself and search this site [search is on the left side near the bottom] for the term ‘Brown Dog’. If anything, the Mirror has supported this local business in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. However, as was very clearly stated in the article, Ben and Jerry are taking steps towards creating a dairy free line of product (check their 50 year plan); we are suggesting that Brown Dog do the same.
You are all welcome to start your own Business and sever what you want. This is an Ice CREAM shop that serves dairy as a main ingredient. Who would be the Mirror Staff that wrote this? Why are you trying to pick a fight with Brown Dog Ice Cream… FYI the yogurt shop will be opening soon….
Like I said start your own business and make what you want….. This is not a Socialist Business.
Today’s dairy industry is not Clara the cow wandering around a lush green pasture, nursing her new born calf. The editor is right to point out the cruelty of today’s methods in milk production. Not only are the cows kept in close confinement during lactation, but afterwards they are again artificially inseminated and their new born calves removed and, in the case for males, caged in crates and then slaughtered for veal, or, if female, raised as milk cows. It’s no longer Old MacDonald on the farm, eeyi, eeyi, oo! Vegetarians make up about 10% of our population and vegans make up about 10% of the vegetarians! So, it does make sense for a business to at least cater to a portion of their customer base.
Mr. Kabler is correct. I grew up on a dairy farm in Somerset County, Md in the 1950s. We used milking machines to milk the cows morning and evening, having them artificially inseminated to produce calves. Male calves were removed from their mothers as soon as possible and given a weight-producing liquid to induce rapid weight gain. We then sold them to be butchered for veal.
When a cow became unable to produce adequate milk because of the constant milk-extracting regimen, we sold it to be slaughtered. The animals had no real life–they were simply things to be used.
I left the farm at 17 and, except to visit, never returned. I remember my childhood experience with complete distaste. To avoid being labeled as a tree-hugger, I will state that I am a Vietnam veteran who earned a Bronze Star, went on to practice law for 30 years, have been a vegetarian (mostly vegan) for 25 years, and am of a libertarian-anti-big government persuasion.
How great it is to be sitting on Top of the Food Chain with Prehensile Thumbs…..
Why did you choose to label yourself at the end of your diatribe? Were you not comfortable in your own skin after you typed your thoughts? It does not sound like it.
Mr. Green, thank you for sharing your story – I knew cows were abused, but never to what extent. I will share your story with family and friends on social media. They need to know the real cost of our affordable milk. I have stopped drinking milk after learning about its high sugar content – babies need it, adults don’t. There are many healthy options out there and they taste better – better yet, you can make pretty much any haute-cuisine desserts with alternatives.