The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

In case you haven’t seen or heard ads or been privy to the local chatter, Rulfs Orchard began selling homemade ice cream about a month ago. Rulfs Office/Retail Manager Amanda Whisher said, “It’s gourmet ice cream, rich and creamy with 14% butterfat.” Rulfs sells eight flavors by the dish, cone and hand-carved pint. Flavors include: vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate chip with cookie dough, cookies and cream, chocolate with M&M’s, chocolate with Reese’s Pieces and maple walnut.

Adding ice cream to Rulfs traditional offerings took two years of planning and preparation. A business plan had to be developed followed by construction of a room dedicated to ice cream making. A Taylor ice cream machine was purchased and training took several weeks.

At Thanksgiving time, Rulfs will be selling an apple pie-vanilla ice cream combo. Then the ice cream machine will be given a rest until May though Amanda said, “If people still want pints, I’ll start it up in the winter.”