For decades, Turkey Hill Dairy was the undisputed king of ice cream for many shoppers. With its all-natural ingredients and inventive flavors, the Pennsylvania-based brand earned a cult following across the Midwest and East Coast. But over the past few years, Turkey Hill has mysteriously vanished from store freezers, leaving fans wondering — what happened to Turkey Hill ice cream?
The Rise of Turkey Hill Ice Cream
Turkey Hill Dairy began selling milk and ice cream in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in 1931. By the 1950s the brand expanded beyond dairy into iced tea and lemonade. Their ice cream set itself apart by using simple, natural ingredients like real sugar and cream.
In the 1980s and 90s Turkey Hill experienced surging popularity thanks to creative flavors like Peanut Butter Ripple and Chocolate Marshmallow. By partnering with convenience stores like Sheetz and Royal Farms they became a staple treat for a generation. Turkey Hill developed a reputation for quality and nostalgia.
The Quest for Wider Distribution
Seeking to expand their loyal fanbase, Turkey Hill inked a distribution deal with Kroger grocery stores in 2013. For the first time, Turkey Hill pints appeared in supermarket freezers across over two dozen states.
While delighted to find their beloved ice cream in new stores, some Turkey Hill purists complained the Kroger versions seemed slightly different, likely due to tweaks for mass production. But on the whole, wider distribution introduced the brand to new audiences nationwide.
The Kroger Acquisition
In 2018, Kroger purchased Turkey Hill Dairy for $215 million. This acquisition concerned some loyal fans, worried an influential corporation might change the brand’s recipes and values.
The following year, Kroger discontinued over 50 Turkey Hill products, including their beloved all-natural ice cream line. While they cited declining sales, devotees suspected cost-cutting measures were behind the decision.
Outrage from Loyal Customers
Kroger’s removal of the all-natural ice cream spurred swift public outcry. Diehard Turkey Hill lovers felt betrayed that their favorite flavors were axed seemingly overnight.
Angry customers took to social media declaring they would boycott Kroger for destroying a cherished brand. Petitions popped up urging Kroger to bring back the original ice cream. But the company stood behind their choice, leaving fans distraught.
The Future of Turkey Hill Post-Kroger
Turkey Hill still produces ice cream, teas, and drinks under Kroger ownership. But many say the new formulations pale in comparison to the originals. The all-natural ice cream that built their reputation is gone.
Some customers cling to hope Kroger may reverse course and revive fan favorites. Until then, devotees search for replacement brands that recapture Turkey Hill’s wholesome quality and taste.
Though nothing can replace the nostalgia of the original ice cream, Turkey Hill maintains a special place in customers’ hearts. The company rose from humble origins to become an iconic American brand, only to meet an unceremonious end at the hands of corporate ownership. For now, fans will have to savor memories of the ice cream once dubbed “the taste of summer.”
A Timeline of Turkey Hill’s Changes
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1931: Turkey Hill Dairy begins selling milk and ice cream in Lancaster County, PA
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1950s: Expands into iced tea and lemonade production
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1980s: Surging popularity thanks to fun, inventive flavors
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2013: Partners with Kroger for wider distribution
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2018: Kroger acquires Turkey Hill Dairy for $215 million
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2019: Kroger discontinues 50+ Turkey Hill items, including all-natural ice cream
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2020: Removal of original ice cream line causes customer outrage on social media
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Present: Turkey Hill operates under Kroger ownership, but many say quality has declined
What Made Turkey Hill Ice Cream Special
Before its demise, there were several factors that made Turkey Hill a standout brand:
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Innovative flavors: Creative options like Peanut Butter Ripple and Cotton Candy set them apart.
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Quality ingredients: The all-natural line used simple, wholesome ingredients like real sugar.
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Regional roots: Based in Pennsylvania, it was a homegrown brand for the Midwest and East Coast.
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Nostalgic appeal: It evoked childhood memories, summer nights, and hometown pride.
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Convenience: Partnerships with stores like Sheetz and Royal Farms made it an impulse buy.
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Cult following: Devoted fans were passionate about Turkey Hill’s uniqueness.
Alternatives for Disappointed Fans
Though they can’t replicated the original, here are some recommended new options for bereft Turkey Hill lovers:
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Perry’s Ice Cream – Another Pennsylvania-based brand with creative flavors and natural ingredients
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Graeter’s Ice Cream – Ohio-based with artisanal small-batch flavors
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Breyers Natural Vanilla – A widely available grocery store brand that promises simpler, natural ingredients
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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Higher-end, uniquely flavored artisanal pints
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Local creameries – Check farmers markets and local shops for handmade, gourmet flavors
The story of Turkey Hill is a cautionary tale of what can happen when a beloved brand is subsumed by a large corporation. Devotees will long remember their signature all-natural ice cream fondly and hope a spiritually similar replacement comes along someday.
Not so long ago…
In 1980, the Frey brothers took the biggest step in the life of the dairy by expanding its ice cream production. Turkey Hill Ice Cream quickly became a favorite in local Lancaster County stores.
In 1981, they persuaded a few independent stores in the Philadelphia area to give “Turkey Who?” a try. Philadelphians loved it. The ice cream was always good, but priced so everyone could enjoy it. Light ice cream soon followed. Then frozen yogurt.
Little by little, this tiny dairy became a favorite in some of the countrys biggest markets.
A long time ago…
More than 85 years ago, in the southern end of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Armor Frey started each day by watching the sunrise from the top of Turkey Hill. Then hed toss a few bottles of milk into the back of his touring sedan and set off to sell them to his neighbors. It was the Great Depression, and every penny helped.
Slowly, Armors route grew. Until one day his “extra milk” business became his only business.
In 1947, Glenn, Emerson, and Charles Frey bought their fathers business. All the dairys customers still lived within a few miles. Milking the cows and running home delivery routes provided enough of a living for the young men to raise their families. Over the years, the little dairy thrived on their hard work.
Turkey Hill Ice Cream Recall
FAQ
Why is Kroger no longer selling Turkey Hill ice cream?
Is there a problem with Turkey Hill ice cream?
Who bought out Turkey Hill ice cream?
Who owns Turkey Hill ice cream?
Turkey Hill is the eighth food-and-beverage company in Peak Rock’s portfolio. The dairy was founded by dairy farmer Armor Frey in 1931. The dairy diversified into convenience stores in 1967 and into ice cream in 1980. Kroger acquired both the dairy and the Minit Markets in 1985.
Is Turkey Hill ice cream recalled?
Ice cream brand Turkey Hill Dairy is voluntarily issuing an ice cream recall on certain containers of its Chocolate Marshmallow Premium Ice Cream, as it may contain undeclared peanuts. While only 385 containers have been affected, people with peanut allergies will be at risk if they come into contact with these products.
Did Turkey Hill commit ‘food fraud’?
The lawsuit consists of more than 25 pages of an impassioned breakdown of the history of vanilla ice cream and specific examples where Turkey Hill commits “food fraud,” a non-official term that refers to the company’s alleged deception toward customers over the amount of vanilla included in its products.
Is Turkey Hill Dairy’s chocolate marshmallow premium ice cream contaminated?
Turkey Hill Dairy was first informed of the contamination by a customer, who noticed that some containers of the Chocolate Marshmallow Premium Ice Cream variety seemed to have been accidentally filled with the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream variety instead.