Virginia Tech and Homestead Creamery have partnered to launch a line of hokey-inspired ice creams. The first flavors will be available for purchase later this fall, said Joell Eifert, faculty member of the School of Food Science and Technology and director of the Food Innovation Program.

According to VTx, the first flavor named Hokie Tracks is vanilla ice cream with pretzel chunks covered in caramel and dark chocolate.

Eifert and Brian Wiersema, also faculty members of the Faculty of Food Science and Technology, led this project. Wiersema also helped develop the Fightin’ Hokies Lager, which will launch in Spring 2021.

Wiersema said the lager’s success has prompted the department to look at other potential projects such as ice cream.

“Beer was one of the first things we wanted to do, so we developed beer. It was successful, so we figured out how to do collaborations with local and regional partners,” says Wiersema. says Mr. “We had a list of things we wanted to do and[the ice cream]turned out great.”

Eifert said the Ministry of Food Science and Technology established a relationship with Homestead in 2004. Most recently, the ministry began supporting nutrition labeling and regulatory compliance. When Eifert and Wiersema were considering which local company to partner with to produce their ice cream, Homestead was the frontrunner.

When creating flavor profiles, Eifert said he had an idea of ​​what flavors he wanted to bring to market and into the process.

“Naturally, we always look at trends, what’s going on and what people want, what consumers want,” says Eifert. “But to be honest, some of the other things we do are make things that we want to see, things that we like. When we look at new flavors, they’re not on the market. It’s a combination. Release now. They’re not in the freezer.”

Eifert and Wiersema, both Virginia Tech alumni, wanted to ensure that the ice cream flavors would evoke memories of being on campus again for the alumni. However, they were unable to reveal any upcoming flavors.

“Unfortunately, we have some great ideas and don’t want to share them. and we don’t want to let them go yet, but we’re really excited.

For Eifert and Wiersema, making ice cream appealing to all Virginia Tech community members was the hardest part of the process. They wanted to appeal not only to alumni, but also to the current generation of students.

“Surely food is emotional, isn’t it?” Wiasema said. “Food really is emotional in how we taste it, how we experience it, and what we think about it later. and try to take into account what it was like for the older alums on campus.Trying to fit both sides of that equation for current students, new and old alumni strikes a balance. It is difficult to

Partnering with local and regional businesses to give back and make an impact is a key element of the department’s projects, Eifert said. Fightin’ Hokies Lager he created in partnership with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery.

Eifert and Wiersema also emphasized that part of the sales will go towards student scholarships and activities.

“That’s where our heart lies. We hope to not only give back and make a positive impact on Virginia businesses, but also make a positive impact on current and future students,” Eifert said. I got

The ice cream will use the same distribution channels as Homestead and will begin retail sales in late October or early November.