Blue Bell Ice Cream to begin phase two on November 2,

The release in the North Texas market was delayed slightly so that the company could work on production and safely keep up with the demand. This will be the first time the ice cream is distributed in the area since April, when a listeria outbreak was discovered and production at all Blue Bell plants was shut down.

“We have experienced tremendous consumer response and support since our return to stores on August 31”, Ricky Dickson, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell, said in a statement issued by the company. “With our Broken Arrow plant now producing ice cream, we are confident that we can build enough inventory to enter phase two beginning November 2”. The ice cream has been available since then in about two dozen counties in Texas, including in the Houston and Austin areas. This phase will also include only parts of the following states: Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. “This support, coupled with our current production capacity, has slowed our ability to enter additional distribution areas”. 12-pack Homemade Vanilla Cups and 12-pack Homemade Vanilla and Dutch Chocolate Cups are also available in stores.

In July, Fort Worth billionaire Sid Bass agreed to lend Blue Bell Creameries up to $125 million to help the ailing Texas company restart ice cream production. “We will have adequate staff on hand, and in the meantime, we’ll be reallocating our shelves to accommodate Blue Bell back in the market”. Dickson said that the main plant in Brenham should be up and running “in the next few months”. More flavors will be added down the road.

Dickson said he doesn’t know when the next three phases of the plan will begin, so for the time being San Antonio will still have to wait for Blue Bell’s return.

Grocery stores such as Kroger and Albertsons are planning to have the ice cream stocked at local stores and throughout the area that Blue Bell will distribute to, representatives said.