NEW HOLLAND, PA — Pennsylvania officials on Thursday launched the 2026 Scooped Ice Cream Trail, expanding the statewide agritourism program to 59 participating creameries as the Shapiro administration seeks to drive tourism spending while supporting the state’s $11.8 billion dairy industry.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and PA Tourism Office Executive Director Kaitie Burger kicked off the ninth annual trail at Lapp Valley Creamery in Lancaster County, marking the start of a summer promotion that runs through Sept. 7.
The trail connects consumers with dairy farms and creameries across Pennsylvania through a digital passport program that rewards visitors for making purchases and visiting multiple locations. This year’s program includes 59 PA Preferred creameries, the largest lineup since the trail began.
State officials are positioning the program as both a tourism initiative and a support mechanism for Pennsylvania’s dairy sector, which includes 4,940 dairy farms and approximately 468,000 cows producing 10 billion pounds of milk annually. The industry supports more than 47,000 jobs and contributes $11.8 billion to the state’s economy, according to the Department of Agriculture.
“The Ice Cream Trail is economic development you can taste,” Burger said. “When a family stops at a creamery in a small Pennsylvania town, they’re not just buying a delicious treat. They’re supporting a local business, a farm family, and a community.”
Redding said the trail provides a direct connection between consumers and agricultural producers.
“Every scoop you enjoy on this trail is a direct investment in Pennsylvania’s farms and the communities that depend on them,” he said.
Participants can register for free through the trail’s digital passport at visitpa.com/scooped. Visitors earn points for purchases and check-ins at participating creameries between June 4 and Sept. 7. Those who visit six locations receive a commemorative insulated bag, while travelers who complete 10 stops are entered into a grand-prize drawing for a Merrymead Farm family experience and an overnight stay at Normandy Farm. Visitors completing 16 stops qualify for both rewards.
The 2026 trail also includes promotional offers at 17 participating creameries, ranging from percentage discounts to buy-one-get-one deals and reduced pricing on pint purchases.
Lapp Valley Creamery, which hosted Thursday’s launch event, offers visitors access to farm animals, calf-feeding opportunities and educational exhibits about A2 milk production alongside its ice cream operation.
The program aligns with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s broader economic development strategy, which identifies tourism and agriculture as growth sectors. State officials noted that tourism generated $84 billion in economic activity in Pennsylvania during 2024 and supported more than 500,000 jobs.
A complete list of participating creameries and registration information is available at visitpa.com/scooped.
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