Dean Foods, Dallas, Texas, acquired The Fresh Ice Cream Co., Brooklyn, N.Y., for $1 million.
The Fresh Ice Cream Co., an artisan dairy provider, filed for Chapter 11 protection in February with the intention of finding a buyer. Dean Foods will continue producing dairy-free pints of ice cream under the Steve’s brand, and will retain co-founder David Stein in a to-be-determined role.
“We’re excited to bring the Steve’s brand into our growing ice cream portfolio,” says Jamaison Schuler, senior director, corporate communications for Dean Foods. “The small, artisan ice cream brand has a loyal following, and so we’re eager to bring stability to the brand again. We’ll be processing ice cream for retail customers in the very near future, staying true to the brand’s formulas and packaging.”