Food holidays came on the scene nearly a decade ago and have since become a staple of PR programming to help brands tell stories in an unexpected, impactful and joyful way. It’s July, also known as National Ice Cream Month, and we’re pulling back the curtain on this key moment in the summer when brands like Alden’s Organic celebrate the joy and magic that is ice cream with their audiences. Keep reading for the full scoop on why the food holiday is so widely celebrated!
image via @raisingthefree for alden's ice cream
History of National Ice Cream Month
According to our friends at National Day Calendar, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month, along with the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. In his proclamation of the day in 1984, he said, “Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food. Over eight hundred and eighty-seven million gallons of ice cream were consumed in the United States in 1983.”
Consumers' Love for Ice Cream Hasn’t Changed, Here are the Stats
98% of American households purchase ice cream and the ice cream industry meets this demand by contributing more than $11 billion directly to the national economy and supporting more than 26,000 direct jobs.
What this Means for Ice Cream Brands
Meet consumers where they are as they cool off and enjoy the nation’s favorite frozen treat with friends and family. Find a way to tell the brand’s story through the lens of this holiday. Perhaps that’s hosting a national giveaway in partnership with a retailer partner, collaborating with a celebrity tastemaker on a custom flavor available for purchase during the month of July, or hosting a series of pop-up events throughout the country where regional fans can come and celebrate with the brand.
Join SPPR in Celebrating this Year
Our client, Alden’s Organic, is giving away 10,000 scoops of ice cream throughout a series of giveaways on their social channels. Be sure to follow @aldensicecream to enter the giveaways going live on July 15, July 17, July 19, July 25 and July 31.
image via @casadecrews for alden's ice cream
Are you a brand or influencer that wants to tap into a food holiday like National Ice Cream Month, but might not know where to start? Feel free to get in touch with our team at hello@sodapop-pr.com or drop us a DM @sodapoppr we’d be happy to lend a hand!