If this week’s Food News column got you pumped up about trying Stephen Hassinger’s homemade ice cream at the Memphis Farmers Market, too bad! Because of Department of Agriculture regulations, Hassinger will no longer be selling his dairy-based frozen treats.
In order to make ice cream for retail the Department of Agriculture demands that the producer pasteurizes his own milk. Also affected by this regulation is Russell Casey who was selling freshly made Mozzarella.
“We would have to get an on-site pasteurizer, which has a price tag in the six-figure range,” Hassinger explains.
And because that’s not really an option, Hassinger is planning on changing de La Creme to Tutti Frutti and focus on sorbets. Before he can do that, however, the Department of Agriculture will have to inspect his kitchen to make sure it complies with the standards.