Sweeten This Summer’s Made-in-PA Getaways on Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail

Shapiro Administration Kicks Off 2025 Ice Cream Trail at Destiny Dairy Bar in Cumberland County, one of 51 sweet stops for a Great American Getaway

Carlisle, PA – Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger had a sweet start to their summer at Destiny Dairy Bar, one of 51 PA Preferred® creameries featured this year on Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail.

“Pennsylvania ice cream is the sweetest you’ll find anywhere,” Secretary Redding said. “Meeting a farm family, seeing where they work their magic, and trying fresh-made local ice cream makes summer even sweeter when you know your purchases help support Pennsylvania farms and keep our economy thriving.”

Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail has inspired Pennsylvania dairy-centered adventures, connecting farm families and ice cream lovers, every summer since 2018. A partnership of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred® program, DCED’s Tourism Office, and Center for Dairy Excellence, the 2025 trail will take visitors all across Pennsylvania to more exciting dairy destinations than ever.

“Pennsylvania’s dairy farms are an integral part of the fabric that makes up our rich agricultural and culinary history,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Pennsylvania’s Ice Cream Trail is a delicious way for visitors to support local businesses while spending time with friends and family. The Shapiro Administration will continue to find new ways to lift up and invest in the Commonwealth’s tourism and agricultural industries so that we can preserve our history, support small businesses, and strengthen our economy.”

Destiny Dairy Bar, at Stover Farms in Cumberland County, offers visitors a chance to feed calves, pet animals in a petting zoo, and experience a slice of life on a working, third-generation dairy farm. A rotating menu of ice cream and milk flavors is served with a side of education about the benefits of A2 milk and how it differs from other products.

“I’m honored to host the kickoff of the Scooped Ice Cream Trail right here at Destiny Dairy Bar. This trail is all about celebrating the small, local creameries that pour their heart into every scoop,” said Destiny Dairy Bar Owner and Stover Farms Herd Manager Amy Brickner, “For me, it’s about more than just great ice cream — it’s about helping families connect where their food comes from and create memories that last a lifetime. We love seeing kids meet the cows, try new flavors, and experience the farm in a hands-on way. Hosting this event is a sweet way to share our passion for dairy and community with visitors from all over the Commonwealth!”

Travelers on the Ice Cream Trail can plan their adventures, learn about participating creameries, and sign up free at visitpa.com/scooped. Dedicated dairy lovers can accumulate points by visiting trail stops and making purchases. Points accumulated from May 30 to September 7 earn prizes through the digital passport. Prizes include a commemorative metal tumbler for six stops, and for 10 stops, an entry into a grand prize drawing to win an overnight getaway to Lancaster County to experience “life on the farm”. Redeeming points from 16 trail stops can earn both the tumbler and an entry to win the grand prize.

With 4,940 dairy farms and 468,000 cows producing 10 billion pounds of milk each year — about 2,501 gallons per cow — Pennsylvania ranks eighth in milk production nationally. Pennsylvania’s dairy industry provides more than 47,000 jobs and supports our state economy to the tune of $11.8 billion annually. Pennsylvania also ranks sixth in number of dairy cows, second in butter production, third in ice cream and Swiss cheese, and fourth in sour cream.

“With 99 percent of our state’s dairy farms being family owned, 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, 365 days a year, to produce delicious dairy products and farm-fresh ice cream,” said Center for Dairy Excellence Communications and Marketing Manager Emily Barge.

A stop (or two) along the Ice Cream Trail makes for a great addition to any Great American Getaway to Pennsylvania – one that delivers dollars to small businesses across the state. Governor Josh Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy prioritizes the tourism and agriculture industries and adopts a new marketing strategy to showcase all the Commonwealth has to offer.

Led by Visit PA, the Commonwealth’s “Great American Getaway” initiative encourages visitors from nearby metro areas and beyond to explore hidden gems and classic favorites across Pennsylvania, proving that you don’t have to travel far for a great escape. Visitor spending provides more than $80 billion in economic impact and directly supports more than 330,000 jobs across the Commonwealth (2023, Tourism Economics).

Those who embark on the Ice Cream Trail are encouraged to share every sweet stop with #PAScoops on visitpa.com’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Need inspiration for your next Great American Getaway? Head to visitpa.com to find travel inspiration, and stay up-to-date with Visit PA on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTub.

For more information about the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Shannon Powers, Agriculture – aginfo@pa.gov or 717.603.2056
Justin Backover, DCED – dcedpress@pa.gov or 717.418.4014

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