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Did you miss out on National Ice Cream Day this past Sunday? Don't worry, the whole month of July is National Ice Cream Month, thanks to President Ronald Reagan. 
In 1984 there were two joint resolutions, one in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate, asking Reagan to proclaim July as National Ice Cream month and July 15 as National Ice Cream day. 
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Reagan signed a presidential proclamation on July 9, 1984, citing that ice cream was an important food to the American people and that the sweet frozen treat be celebrated in July. 
Now it's commonplace to celebrate ice cream on the third Sunday in July. 
More: Inside scoop: Palmer Lane lays claim to authentic Vermont maple creemee
"Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States," the proclamation states. "It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food." 

Ice cream consumption then and now

Colleen and Paul Palmer are the owners of Palmer Lane Maple in Jerhicho, VT. The Palmers offer up a maple creemee with real maple syrup and VT milk. Sawyer Loftus, Burlington Free Press
Reagan stated in his proclamation that in 1983, Americans consumed 887 million gallons of ice cream. 
In 2017 the International Dairy Foods Association reported that U.S. ice cream companies produced 1.4 billion gallons of ice cream and related frozen desserts. 
The association also noted that Americans consumed on average 23 pounds of ice cream in 2017. 

Ice cream spots around Burlington

Burlington is known as the site of the first Ben and Jerry's scoop shop at the corner of College and St. Paul streets, and one still operates on Church Street. 
Here are some places you can grab a scoop, twist or pint around downtown Burlington.
  • Ben and Jerry's on the top of Church Street. 
  • Lake Champlain Chocolates, both the factory on Pine and their shop on Church Street. 
  • Burlington Bay on Battery Street 
  • Shy Guy Gelato, they've got a cart on Church Street and a shop on St. Paul Street. 

Get out of town and try some other Chittenden County scoop shops