Since 1984, July has been America’s official National Ice Cream Month. Whether you’re visiting or living in Pennsylvania, you’re luckier than most as Pennsylvania boasts more dairy farms than any other state besides Wisconsin. Some of those dairy farms whip up the most delicious frozen dairy treats in the world, just a short drive outside of Reading. This July, gather up some friends and family and celebrate the summer’s tastiest month (and the hottest) with a visit to Greater Reading’s finest creameries and dairy farms.
Chester Springs Creamery
Just over 30 minutes from downtown Reading in Chester Springs, Milky Way Farm offers incredible, handcrafted ice cream made on-site since 2001. With over 48 flavors to choose from (each named after a cow), visitors may find it hard to choose just one. And you won’t have to. Prepackaged pints and quarts make it easy to take some home.
The farm’s allergen protocol ensures everyone can enjoy their creamy frozen goodness, no matter the allergen. Shoppers can also find lactose-free and sugar-free flavors.
Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm is open to visitors and ice cream shoppers Wednesday through Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm. Visitors are welcome to stroll the Springhouse field and meet the farm’s animals in their natural habitat. “Like” the Milky Way Farm’s Facebook page to get the latest updates.
The Nesting Box
The Nesting Box in Albany Township is locally renowned for its cage-free brown eggs. And now, it’s showcasing its newest tasty commodity as one of two Berks County stops on Pennsylvania’s fourth annual state ice cream trail. Using their famous eggs and other ingredients from local farms, The Nesting Box crafts handmade, hard-pack artisan ice cream with 14 flavors on hand at any given time. Because they are a budding operation, their small space means they have to rotate flavors, and you’ll have to stop in to see what’s on hand any given day.
No whey fillers and an ultra-high fat content give The Nesting Box’s ice cream a creamy, smooth mouthfeel, entirely unrelated to store-bought mass-produced ice creams. Try the fan-favorite old-fashioned teaberry or almost as popular Madagascar vanilla. For something more decadent, go for the chocolate-covered strawberry or their unique take on salted caramel.
The Nesting Box is located at 230 Snyder Rd in Kempton and is open from 12 pm to 6 pm on Fridays, and 10 am to 6 pm Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Get the scoop on current happenings by “liking” them on Facebook.
WayHar Farm Market
Located three miles north of Bernville on Route 183, WayHar Farms is another hidden community gem on Pennsylvania’s 2021 ice cream trail. Milk from WayHar Farm’s pampered, prize-winning cows has been processed on-site for the past 50 years in the back of the retail farm market. And more than 90 flavors of ice cream have been manufactured at the farmer’s market over the years. Currently, visitors can choose from over 40 year-round and seasonal flavors of handmade ice cream to take home or enjoy at the market, along with banana splits, floats, sundaes, and more ice cream treats.
For something utterly unique, WayHar Farms offers custom-made ice cream flavors. Upon request, Lolly and her team work with customers to create designer ice cream tailored to the customer’s ideas and preferences. Perfect for special occasions or company events. Call Lolly at (610) 488-1281 to learn more.
Don’t forget to ask about the Farm Tour! Peek behind the scenes to see the cows and the ice cream-making process first-hand. Children receive a kiddie cone included in the $7 tour fee. Visit WayHar Farms from 7 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday, and 8 am to 9 pm on Sundays. Visit the Facebook page to learn about the latest offerings.
Cool down this summer with a tasty and local treat while supporting Greater Reading’s farmers!
