CONESTOGA, PA. — Turkey Hill is taking its ice cream into the frozen novelty category with 16 new treats across three new product lines: ice cream cookie sandwiches, fruit and cream bars, and layered sundae cups.
“We are launching the novelties line to provide more ways for consumers nationwide to enjoy the No. 1 brand of ice cream in the Northeast,” said Jim Sterbenz, chief commercial officer of Turkey Hill. “Turkey Hill novelties are reasonably priced yet crafted using quality ingredients and creamy premium ice cream, because life, like ice cream, should be joyful and sweet.”
Turkey Hill layered sundae cups combine premium ice cream with mix-ins and sauces and come in 6.5-oz containers. The sundaes are available in eight varieties: Caramel Brownie, Cookies & Cream, Cookie Dough Delight, Strawberry Shortcake, Peanut Butter Cup, Ultimate Fudge, Chocolate Cream Pie and Party Cake.
New Turkey Hill ice cream cookie sandwiches feature Turkey Hill premium ice cream packed between two double chocolate chip cookies. Varieties include vanilla bean, peanut butter, chocolate and chocolate mint chip.
The fruit and cream bars are made with milk, cream and fruit and come in strawberry, coconut, orange, and strawberry lemonade flavors.
“Life, like ice cream, should be joyful and sweet.” — Jim Sterbenz, Turkey Hill
“We looked at consumer trends and requests from our fans to evaluate how we can make ice cream into new and exciting forms of the delicious treats that they know and love,” Mr. Sterbenz said. “We crafted our new ice cream treats based on the fan loyalty of our classic flavors like vanilla and cookies and cream and reimagined them into delectable flavor combinations like Chocolate Cream Pie. With the fruit and cream bars, we wanted to provide something light and refreshing. With the layered sundae cups, we wanted to provide a treat with a variety of mix-ins and different flavor possibilities in every bite. And with our ice cream cookie sandwiches, we wanted to make something that felt homemade, yet timeless and premium.”
The new novelties are a result of a lengthy innovation process, Mr. Sterbenz said.
“Our test kitchens, consumer insights and research and development teams start by engaging consumers and our retail partners to understand what would drive purchase intent for a new product,” Mr. Sterbenz said. “We then go through rounds of consumer tastings until we land on the best, most delicious offering that we think our fans will love.”
The expansion into frozen novelties marks a major milestone for Turkey Hill, which was acquired by private equity firm Peak Rock Capital from the Kroger Co. in March 2019. Kroger had owned the brand since 1985.
“We believe this is the right step to ensure the Turkey Hill business can meet its full potential and continue to grow its successful ice cream brands,” said Erin S. Sharp, group vice president at Kroger Manufacturing, at the time of the acquisition announcement.
Turkey Hill operates a manufacturing and distribution facility in Conestoga and a plant in Searcy, Ark., which it acquired from Yarnell Ice Cream LLC in June 2020. The Searcy ice cream manufacturing facility provided the company the capability to manufacture new sizes and formats of ice cream and novelty products, leading to the launch of the new ice cream cookie sandwiches, fruit and cream bars, and layered sundae cups.
“We’ve been working on and looking forward to launching these new product lines in the novelty category,” Mr. Sterbenz said. “While we know the pandemic and other current events are impacting consumer behavior, we are very confident that these new products will be received well with consumers. These products continue Turkey Hill’s 90-year legacy of providing great tasting and indulgent products that make people happy.”
