The Race Is On to Find the Best Dairy-Free Summer Treat
For Immediate Release:
July 7, 2011
Contact:
Kristin Richards 202-483-7382
New York — It's National Ice Cream Month, and PETA is on a mission to find the best vegan frozen dessert in the country. The animal rights group has narrowed the field down to six finalists for a contest launched on PETA.org/IceCream. Manhattan's first vegan ice cream parlor, Lula's Sweet Apothecary, qualifies as a finalist, thanks to its banana split, a vegan confection made with fresh bananas, three scoops of creamy soft-serve, three sauces, and one topping, with whipped cream and a cherry on top. To vote in the contest and let PETA know that you think it should name Lula's Sweet Apothecary the winner, text "LULA" to 73822 (message and data rates may apply) or visit PETA.org/IceCream to cast your vote online.
"Lula's Sweet Apothecary's delicious desserts show how cool—and creamy—compassion can be," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "With a competition like this, everybody wins: the diners who get to taste the frozen treats and the animals who are spared from suffering on dairy farms."
Other restaurants in the running are Green New American Vegetarian in Tempe, Ariz.; KindKreme in Los Angeles; The Skinny Dip in Hampton Roads, Va.; Karma Cream in Gainesville, Fla.; and The Chicago Diner in Chicago. But folks who aren't in the finalists' cities won't be left out—anyone can whip up their own dairy-free dessert at home by blending together a frozen banana, a tablespoonful of peanut butter, and a teaspoonful of cocoa powder. Throw in other flavors and toppings such as cookies, fresh fruit, or candy pieces—and voilà!
Why are more people than ever staying away from dairy products? Drinking cow's milk has been linked to many serious health problems—including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity—and the dairy industry is also responsible for inflicting immeasurable suffering on cows and their calves. Calves are torn away from their mothers, who sometimes spend days looking for their missing offspring. When cows' milk production wanes, they are sent to slaughter.
For more information and full texting terms, please visit PETA.org/IceCream. Votes will be one of the factors considered when selecting a winner, but the winner will ultimately be determined by PETA. For Lula's Sweet Apothecary's location, operating hours, and menu, please visit lulassweetapothecary.com.