<< Previous   of   Next >> M.L. Dehm / SCBJ  (click to enlarge) A visitor at Snoqualmie Ice Cream's Ice Cream-O-Rama picks up a free scoop of ice cream. M.L. Dehm / SCBJ  (click to enlarge) Crowds line up to get free scoops of ice cream at the Ice-Cream-O-Rama on June 25 at Snoqualmie Ice Cream in Maltby. M.L. Dehm / SCBJ  (click to enlarge) Visitors to Snoqualmie Ice Cream’s Ice Cream-O-Rama learn about the company’s plans to grow their own produce on site for flavorings.

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CONTACT SCBJ Kurt Batdorf, Editor kbatdorf@scbj.com

Snoqualmie Ice Cream celebrates its future

By M .L. Dehm
SCBJ Freelance Writer

MALTBY — Gray skies didn't dampen any spirits at the Ice Cream-O-Rama in Maltby on June 25. Snoqualmie Ice Cream staff dished up hundreds of free mini scoops and handed out hot dogs to long lines of festival-goers. Snoqualmie Ice Cream Cafe plans to host this event annually.

The Ice-Cream-O-Rama also served as an official groundbreaking for the company's new 1.5-acre sustainable farm. Past visitors to the Snoqualmie Ice Creamery and the adjoining cafe may have noticed the extensive herb plantings around the property. These, especially the lavender, have already been used in the production of some of the ice cream flavors.

The owners plan to expand their garden into a fully functioning farm in order to source more of their own ingredients. The long-term goal is to see how many ingredients can be produced at the site. They also hope to inspire visitors to learn more about sustainable living.

Visitors to Ice-Cream-O-Rama enjoyed tours of the grounds. They were able to see the chicken coop where fresh eggs for the ice cream will be laid and the bee hives that should soon produce the company's honey supply.

According to spokeswoman Alyssa Goldberg, the groundbreaking of the farm is an important event for owners Barry and Shahnaz Bettinger because they're as passionate about the environment as they are about creating premium ice cream.

Whenever possible, the Bettingers have tried to incorporate sustainable practices into their ice cream production facilities. The factory that was the first certified sustainable building in Snohomish County has solar panels installed to provide power.

The parking lot for the ice creamery and cafe was installed with a permeable concrete product in order to minimize storm-water runoff. They also built a bioswale to collect water runoff from a neighbor's property.

While the Bettingers are well-known for their sustainable production efforts, they are probably even better known for the hand-crafted natural ice creams, gelato, custards and sorbets they have produced over the last 14 years.

Barry Bettinger, the son of a farmer, learned about dairy products while running a large dairy plant back east. When he and his wife moved to Snohomish County and acquired the ice creamery, he was determined to produce high quality, premium ice cream to his own standards.

To that end, Snoqualmie ice cream is made in small batches with a high cream content in order to create less air in the mix. These practices improve the ice cream's density and texture.

So far, the Bettingers have produced more than 700 custom flavors. Many of these are in the form of ice cream bases for restaurants. Restaurants that feature Snoqualmie Ice Cream include the Tulalip Resort Casino, the Space Needle and many others.

There are 20 flavors of the company's ice cream that are sold by the pint in select groceries throughout Washington, Oregon and California. Recently the company expanded retail sales into Texas.

Local stores that carry Snoqualmie Ice Cream include Top Foods, QFC, Haggen, PCC Natural Market, Whole Foods and Metropolitan Market.

But in Snohomish County, most people enjoy Snoqualmie Ice Cream by visiting the company's cafe in Maltby. Located at 22106 86th Ave. SE, the cafe serves homemade soups, sandwiches and salads along with their sweet treats.

Ice-Cream-O-Rama also featured live music. Headlining the event was Presidents of the United States of America front man Chris Ballew with his family-friendly Casper Babypants show. Other performers included popular Pike Place Market regulars Whitney Monge, Morrison Boomer and The Fanatics.

More information is available at the company's recently revamped website, www.snoqualmieicecream.com.