Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream with Food Allergies

I was walking around the city yesterday.  It was beautiful, sunny, and unseasonably warm outside. This must have been the reason I was craving an ice cream (or just because ice cream is the sweetest)! I walked into Ben & Jerry’s. “Can I get a small chocolate fudge brownie in a cup please?” I asked. “Can you also please get a clean scoop from the back and make sure the area is clean before scooping my ice cream? I am very allergic to nuts,” I said. The guy who was waiting on me was clearly new, and unaware of the routine that is established at Ben & Jerry’s with allergies. Luckily, a woman who also worked there, overheard my request.  She knew exactly what to do and why to do it.  I was very impressed.  She explained to him, “You need to get a clean scoop from the back (as she walked back with him to get a scoop). Make sure not to put the scoop in the water fountain because that is what contaminates it,” she explained. “Open up a new box of ice cream underneath the one that is already open, and scoop it from that one,” she said to him as she helped him get my ice cream. I was extremely impressed with her knowledge of allergies, and how seriously she took the situation.

I have always had similar experiences with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream with food allergies. They always take my allergies seriously there. I have had plenty of experiences at other ice cream places, but never at Ben & Jerry’s. They are the best!