NATIONAL BLUEBERRY POPSICLE MONTH

September is National Blueberry Popsicle Month and a time to honor the creator of this tasty treat.

At age 11, Frank Epperson of Oakland, California, probably had no idea a simple mistake would make him an icon in the world of frozen treats. In 1905, Epperson accidentally left a glass of powdered soda and water with a mixing stick in it on his porch during a cold night. When he woke the next morning, he found his first creation of the ice pop. Blueberry to be exact. In 1923, Epperson patented the concept of ice pops. He initially called the treat “Epsicle” and later called it the “Popsicle.” A couple of years later, Epperson sold the rights to his invention the Joe Lowe Company in New York City.

Frank Epperson reportedly served the first ice pops at a fireman’s ball in Oakland, California. Since then, the Popsicle brand sells about two billion of their frozen treats a year. Though the most popular flavor is cherry. Blueberry popsicles have a few other variations to choose from besides the standard frozen ice pop. There is a Blueberry Greek Yogurt Popsicle and Blueberry Cheesecake Popsicle available too. If you prefer to make authentic ice pops, there are ice pop molds available for purchase. Martha Stewart is among those to have published recipes for blueberry pops.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

With the last warm days of summer, stay cool with a blueberry Popsicle.

Use #NationalBlueberryPopsicleMonth in social media correspondence.

NATIONAL FREEZER POP DAY

In the heat of summer, National Freezer Pop Day brings the sweet chill of relief! On July 8th, grab one of America’s favorite ways to cool off with a frozen sweet treat.

Freezer pops have a long history – one that’s over 60 years old. And that history includes kids and summer fun. What’s better than getting outdoors and spending time with friends and family? Well, perhaps cooling off with a freezer full of freezer pops in every flavor of the rainbow.

Summer is one of the best times of the year. It’s important to keep the freezer or cooler stocked with freezer pops of all varieties and textures. There’s one for people of all ages! They make the summer even better and more memorable. And they’re shareable, too. Everyone has their favorite flavor, and you know which one it is by looking in the seemingly always near-empty freezer or cooler. From lazy summer days to busy sporting events, these portable treats please even the pickiest crowd.

NATIONAL FREEZER POP DAY HISTORY

The Jel Sert Co. founded National Freezer Pop Day in 2020 to celebrate the summer and being a kid with freezer pops. The Jel Sert Co. is the maker of Fla-Vor-Ice, Otter Pops, Pop Ice, Kool Pops, All Sport, and Wyler’s Authentic Italian Ice.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFreezerPopDay

Stock your freezer with freezer pops. Enjoy your favorite flavor and include a friend or family member in the experience. Share your summer day with us by using #NationalFreezerPopDay on social media.

NATIONAL BOMB POP DAY

The last Thursday of June is reserved for enjoying a summertime favorite.  It’s National Bomb Pop Day!   Invented in 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri, Bomb Pops are also known as the red, white and blue Popsicle.  Having one of these frozen treats is a terrific way to kick off the upcoming 4th of July celebrations in your community!

History

On July 30, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri, James S. Merritt and D.S. Abernethy created the Bomb Pop. Bomb Pop was given a trademark in 1971. Merritt Foods, owned by D.S. Abernethy, closed its doors in 1991, and Wells’ Dairy acquired the firm, along with Bomb Pops.

The Walt Disney Company and Wells’ Dairy agreed to jointly produce Buzz Lightyear Bomb Pops in 2003.

There have been several legal disputes between rivals selling similar-looking popsicles in 2014, but they were ultimately resolved.

Today….

The Bomb Pop is a frozen treat that Wells Enterprises now produces. Cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavorings are present in the original flavor. There are nine primary Bomb Pop varieties as of 2015.[ Presently available varieties of Bomb Pop include Original, Fruit Bomb, Watermelon, Hawaiian Punch, Warheads, Jolly Rancher, Original Sugar Free, Banana Fudge, Lemonade, Tongue Splashers, and Nerds.

Here are some additional details that you may find interesting:

  • It is a popular treat for Independence Day celebrations in the United States.
  • The Bomb Pop is also known as the Firecracker Popsicle.
  • The name “Bomb Pop” was inspired by the Cold War, which was happening at the time the popsicle was invented.
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HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy one of these frozen treats and use #NationalBombPopDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL GRAPE POPSICLE DAY

May 27 calls for warm weather and sunshine so we can recognize National Grape Popsicle Day.

In San Francisco, California, in 1905, 11-yr-old Frank Epperson was outside on his porch, mixing water with a white powdered flavoring to make soda.  Upon going inside, he left it there on the porch with the stirring stick still in it.  That night the temperature reached a record low and the following morning, Frank discovered the drink had frozen to the stick.

Years later, in 1922, Epperson introduced his treat at a fireman’s ball where it was a huge success. Then in 1923, he made and sold his frozen treat-on-a-stick at an amusement park in Alameda, California.  Epperson applied for a patent in 1924 for his frozen confectionery, which he called “Epsicle” ice pop.  He then renamed it “Popsicle“.

Popsicles are one of summertime’s favorite treats for kids of all ages. National Grape Popsicle Day honors one of the most popular flavors!

I remember how much fun we had making our own, then enjoying them on a hot summer day. I hope to pass this fun summer treat on to my nieces and nephews. There’s nothing better than summer as a kid. We played outside, begged to run through the sprinklers, and enjoy picnics, barbeques, and popsicles.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Use #GrapePopsicleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY

On April 2nd each year, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day celebrates a classic food favorite. The average American will have eaten over 2000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from high school.

Peanut butter was considered a delicacy in the early 1900s and was only served in New York City’s finest tea rooms. In a May 1896 article published in the Good Housekeeping magazine, a recipe “urged homemakers to use a meat grinder to make peanut butter and spread the result on bread.”  That same year, in June, the culinary magazine Table Talk, published a “peanut butter sandwich recipe.”

It is thought that Julia Davis Chandler issued the first reference to peanut butter (or paste) paired with jelly on bread in the United States in 1901. Her article is found in the Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics. In the late 1920s, the price of peanut butter declined, and the sandwich became very popular with children.

According to the Peanut Board, during World War II, both peanut butter and jelly were part of the United States soldiers’ military ration list.

In 1968, The J.M. Smucker Co. introduced Goober, a jarred product that combined alternating vertical stripes of peanut butter and jelly.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PeanutButterAndJellyDay

It may be a good day to try something different.  The following are a few peanut butter and jelly ideas to help you out!

  • Cupcakes
  • French Toast
  • Pie
  • Sushi
  • Cookies
  • Donuts
  • Pancakes
  • Fudge

Have fun! Use #PeanutButterAndJellyDay to post on social media.