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GLIC&FFA
Founded in 1966, the Great Lakes Ice Cream and Fast Food Association (GLIC&FFA) is a premier organization of ice cream, yogurt, and fast food businesses. As a not-for-profit association, our members consist of small and large store operators along with distributors and manufacturers in our industry.
Our purpose is to provide a medium through which operators and suppliers of ice cream and fast food establishments may promote improvements in their industry through research and study and through the dissemination of information on methods of sanitation, quality of products and efficient operations to the mutual benefit and protection of the public; to acquire, exchange, interpret and disseminate market, statistical, economic and industry; to promote and stimulate the sale of food products through these outlets; to represent its members in any matters in which trade association representation is required or considered necessary; and to do whatever may be incidental or necessary to accomplish these goals.
Together our goal is to promote a stronger industry by sharing ideas, problems, and mutual concerns. With you support and involvement we will grow even stronger.
For more information contact Susan Mesack @ Great Lakes Ice Cream and Fast Food Association, 800-798-7484.


New Arrivals
As we stated in the last newsletter, Dave was patiently waiting the arrival of the newest member of his family. Well now she has arrived! Esme (Ez-may) Grace Deadman was born January 27 to make Dave a first-time dad! Now, she is a little over 2 months old and growing quickly!
There is also another addition coming soon. Sarah will be leaving for a couple months when she has her first, a boy (name to come), due at the beginning of June! So up until that point, Sarah will be spending most of her time in the office instead of out on the road. After she leaves, Megan will be the only sales person around. So if you don’t hear from Sarah for awhile, don’t worry she’s not trying to avoid you, she’s just out on maternity leave!
As we stated in the last newsletter, Dave was patiently waiting the arrival of the newest member of his family. Well now she has arrived! Esme (Ez-may) Grace Deadman was born January 27 to make Dave a first-time dad! Now, she is a little over 2 months old and growing quickly!
There is also another addition coming soon. Sarah will be leaving for a couple months when she has her first, a boy (name to come), due at the beginning of June! So up until that point, Sarah will be spending most of her time in the office instead of out on the road. After she leaves, Megan will be the only sales person around. So if you don’t hear from Sarah for awhile, don’t worry she’s not trying to avoid you, she’s just out on maternity leave!


Ice Cream Associations
As we kick into full gear this season, we decided this is a good time to introduce you to several different ice cream organizations that may come in handy for you. Each of these organizations provides great resources for either a new ice cream store or one that has been around for years! Depending on the organization, there may be fees for membership, so please contact the appropriate source to learn more about how to join and what it entails.

NICRA
The National Ice Cream Retailers Association is a trade organization whose members are in the retail ice cream and frozen dessert business. The members of NICRA are located all across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. They operate hundreds of stores and have annual sales in the millions of dollars. They employ thousands of ice cream and frozen dessert entrepreneurs get started and prosper.
If you are new to the business and about to open your first retail establishment, or if you are an operator with several stores, you will find many members of NICRA in the same position. A very strong characteristic of the NICRA organization is the free and frank exchange of business information among members.
Manufacturers and suppliers of ice cream, frozen yogurt, specialty products, cones, nuts, toppings, flavorings, serving and food service equipment are eligible to become associate members of NICRA and are an integral part of the NICRA association.
If you have any questions pertaining to NICRA, please contact Lynda Utterback at 866-303-6960.


Ice Cream Folks
Ice Cream Folks is a discussion group on Yahoo! fostering the exchange of information between folks involved in the sale or manufacture of items related to the ice cream (or other frozen dessert) industry.
Participation is open to all, with no limit on subject matter being discussed, other than our plea to keep discussions professional, courteous, and relevant to the operations of ice cream related businesses. Our members recognize the value of free, open, uncensored discussions and are tolerant of differing viewpoints.
A companion web site exists at http://icecreamfolks.com/ to allow the publication of additional group content. It contains several articles which have been distilled from past discussions that have taken place in the discussion group. You also may want to visit the member locator to see where the stores of others in the group are located.
If you choose to join, please consider posting a message with your name, your store location (if you have one), and any other information about your situation that you’re willing to share.