Burlington, Vermont-headquartered upscale ice cream specialist Ben & Jerry’s on January 11 unleashed two new flavors promoted as “paws-itively perfect for your pet,” since each sunflower butter-based frozen treat is specifically formulated for dogs. Pontch’s Mix with peanut better and pretzel swirls, and Rosie’s Batch featuring pumpkin creaminess and mini cookies, are made exclusively for canines.
“We know our fans love their dogs and treat them like family,” said Lindsay Bumps, a global marketing specialist at Ben & Jerry’s who also happens to be a certified veterinary technician. “We created this product line so pups can enjoy something even better than belly rubs. Doggie Desserts are the sweetest treat they’ll ever put their paws on.”
Pontch’s Mix and Rosie’s Batch were named after two real dogs in the Ben & Jerry’s office – an affectionate Frenchie and a rescue mutt of mixed heritage. As a dog-friendly workplace, the Ben & Jerry’s headquarters often has up to 40 pups curled up under desks, keeping employees company. They’re all part of the “K9 to 5-er crew” that adds a little joy to the office atmosphere.
Doggie Desserts will be sold individually in 4-oz mini cups or in 4-count multipacks, with a suggested retail price of $2.99 and $4.99. They will be found in supermarkets, mass retailer outlets, and select pet stores nationwide.
In addition to the two new Doggie Desserts, Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with like-minded suppliers to offer must-have pet accessories like a 6′ custom tie dye leash made from recycled water bottles and a plush cone toy stuffed with recycled fill.
About Ben & Jerry’s
Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s churns out a wide variety of super-premium ice cream, yogurt and sorbet using high-quality ingredients. Its product line is distributed in 35 countries through supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues.
In 2015 the company completed its transition to using entirely non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients by source as well as to fully source Fairtrade-certified ingredients wherever possible, which benefits farmers in developing countries.