Creamery Provides Small-Batch Ice Cream

Creamery Provides Small-Batch Ice Cream Flint Hills Pints of Alma, Kan., specializes in small-batch ice cream crafted from natural, high-quality ingredients. “We’re continuing a tradition started in 1885 of building something with care, sharing it with the community, and honoring the land and family roots that made it all possible,” say Karen and Darrin Moege, founders and owners.  She notes that the Moege Family Farm, established in 1885 in Wabaunsee County, Kan., has been home to four generations. “Flint Hills Pints was founded as a natural extension of that heritage. We’ve set out to make ice cream the way it should be made. Our brand name became both a tribute to the region and a promise that every pint should taste like home.” This means relying on real, local ingredients, with no artificial stabilizers, corn syrup or shortcuts. “Our base contains only five ingredients: sugar, half-and-half, cream, egg yolks and vanilla, as we never use artificial stabilizers, corn syrup or high-fructose corn syrup. I began sourcing Kansas cream, fruits, honey and other ingredients, creating a true ‘farm-to-freezer’ product that reflects the spirit of Flint Hills.” Running an ice cream business presents many specific challenges. “Ice cream is highly temperature-sensitive, so keeping a perfect cold chain from production to storage to delivery is essential. Because we make our own base without artificial stabilizers or corn syrup, our process requires more hands-on attention, precision and time than mass-produced alternatives.” Seasonality is another factor, as demand naturally slows during colder months. Still, Moege believes the joys outweigh the challenges. “Ice cream is a happy product. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch customers taste our flavors and immediately recognize the difference that real Kansas ingredients make. As a fourth-generation farm family, it’s also meaningful to connect our agricultural roots with something that brings joy to our community. From crafting new, unique flavors and seeing families enjoy our products together, the ice cream business gives us the chance to share a little bit of the Flint Hills with every scoop.” Flint Hills Pints doesn’t currently have a storefront or ship nationwide; instead, it supplies ice cream to local retail partners, special events and wholesale customers. The brand provides all ice cream for home K-State Football games and for housing and dining services. “We stay hands-on with production and maintain the small-batch quality we’re known for. Once spring arrives, you can find us at the farmers markets, small-town festivals in Kansas, and county fairs.” While the perennial customer favorites are Smokey Bear and Smoked Brown Bear, the brand’s seasonal favorites always impress, including Loaded Sweet Tater, Cranberry White Chocolate Tequila, and Frosted Sugar Cookie.  “At Flint Hills Pints, we’re incredibly proud to combine our fourth-generation Kansas farm heritage with our passion for making honest, high-quality ice cream,” Moege says. “Our goal is simple: create ice cream that brings people together, just like our family farm has for more than 135 years.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Flint Hills Pints, 111 Missouri Ave., Alma, Kan. 66401 (ph 785-341-2895; flinthillspints@gmail.com; www.flinthillspints.com).

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