The Ice Cream Farm is a multi-award-winning family attraction situated in the picturesque Cheshire countryside. It's renowned for having the largest ice-cream shop in the world and the first ever ice-cream drive-in. It's also full of fun-filled play areas and activities for children, including soft play, the Silvercone race track and 'snow' at Daisy's Garden.
The Marketing Requirements
Visited by both tourists and locals, the farm needed branded cooler bags for visitors to carry tubs of ice cream home with them and ensure they stay frozen! They were also looking for a way to promote the brand and build visibility.
Crucially, the bag had to align with The Ice Cream Farm's values as a newly certified B-Corp business. Their goals were to promote sustainability and reduce reliance on single-use packaging.
The Smartbags Solution - Branded Cooler Bags
Smartbags designed and supplied printed reusable cooler bags featuring a bright, playful design that reflects the Ice Cream Farm's fun, family-friendly brand. As a bespoke manufacturer, we custom-made these insulated freezer bags to perfectly fit the tubs of takeaway ice-cream.
The reusable cooler bags served a dual purpose: they provided a functional takeaway solution needed for temperature control, and they acted as a memorable, practical keepsake to encourage repeat visits and reinforce brand loyalty every time the customer used the bag.
The focus on durability and reusability also directly supported the farm's broader commitment to reducing single-use packaging and promoting a sustainable message.
They chose a bag made from Non-woven PP material, a sustainable material that is 100% recyclable after use. It also has a lower carbon footprint than natural fibres like cotton.
The End Result
The launch of the branded freezer/cooler bags was a resounding success, proving to be both a practical hit and a valuable brand touchpoint.
- Increased Take-Home Sales: The reusable bags have encouraged additional take-home purchases of their 500ml and 1L tubs, as customers now have a reliable way to keep their ice cream frozen.
- Stronger Brand Loyalty: Visitors have been returning to the farm with their bags on future trips, creating a strong sense of brand loyalty and reinforcing the message of fun, family, and sustainability.
- Positive Customer Feedback: Visitors loved the bright, playful design and frequently commented on how useful the insulated bags are, extending The Ice Cream Farm experience well beyond the site itself.
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A Commitment to Sustainability
The Ice Cream Farm is committed to continually improving its sustainability practices and reducing its environmental impact. As well as choosing sustainable reusable bags, their other eco initiatives include:
- Around 80% of our suppliers are local, supporting the regional economy and minimising transport emissions
- Investing in renewable energy (solar panels and LED lighting) across the site.
- Transitioning to biodegradable and compostable packaging (including VegWare and biodegradable food tubs).
- Providing refillable water stations to reduce single-use plastic.
- Implementing a specialist external company for hand-sorting all waste for recycling.
