Nice Cream Raises Nearly $5000 to Stay Afloat

By Anthony Todd in Food on Aug 22, 2011 3:20PM

We've been following the saga (disaster) of the local ice cream industry for the past several weeks. The state has imposed new regulations that make it nearly impossible for small companies to do business, and due to the new regulations, large stores like Whole Foods have stopped ordering. Enter social media: Nice Cream is taking to the ether to support themselves. Starting last week, a Twitter-driven kickstarter campaign has been moving forward to keep Nice Cream alive, and a fundraiser next week at Revolution Brewing will support the effort.

As of this morning, Nice Cream has raised $4,648 from 148 backers - and tweeted out thanks to most of them, by name. They have a goal of $5000, which they will meet soon and hopefully increase, though the project doesn't end until October. They are hoping to raise enough money to challenge the regulations (or at least prove that they meet the requirements in substance, if not in method) and continue to sell Nice Cream at Farmer's Markets. If you're a nice cream lover, get on this now - the rewards are good, and it's for a wonderful cause. If you give $25, you get two free scoops at the Logan Square Farmers Market!

Nice Cream is also hosting a benefit this coming Sunday, August 28, at Revolution Brewing. Tickets are $40, which includes beer, appetizers, ice cream and a silent auction from lots of great chicago independent vendors, including Chicagoist favorites Katherine Anne Confections, City Provisions and Provenance Food and Wine. Of your ticket price, $25 goes straight to Nice Cream.