Handel’s brings out colorful, musical, ice cream truck

By Kalea Hall | May 23, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

CANFIELD

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream – including the local treat that is Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt.

Now, it’s mobile and can carry the tune of the old-school ice-cream truck songs.

The Handel’s leadership decided it was time for a Handel’s ice cream truck to make its debut.

“The main reason is we want to take it to the Akron Children’s Hospital and have ice cream for the families and kids in Akron, and any children’s hospital, and get free ice cream around,” said Lenny Fisher, owner of Handel’s.

It is also for corporate events and celebrations. The local public debut will be at Boardman Community Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6 at the Boardman Township Government Center, 8299 Market St.

The red, blue and white truck made its debut this past week at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, where thousands got a chance to learn about Handel’s.

“Everybody in the food industry shows their wares there,” said Jim Brown, chief operating officer for the ice-cream company based in Canfield.

The idea for the truck has been in the works for more than a year. It can hold up to 75 gallons of ice cream in eight different flavors. The potential servings are 1,500 to 2,000.

“Of course, we can always bring more,” Fisher said.

Handel’s has started to book dates to cater events, and now the visibly appealing, and slightly mouth-watering, displays on the truck are expected to bring in more requests. Pricing on the musical truck varies based on the number of people and type of event.

Handel’s began its journey to 38 locations in multiple states in 1945 with Alice Handel, who made the ice cream on a hot summer day and started to serve it to customers at her husband’s Youngstown gas station. Fisher bought the company in the 1980s and expanded its footprint to California, Florida, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Virginia. Handel’s recently opened in Hermitage, Pa., at 550 South Hermitage Road, and in Las Vegas.

“In good times you want ice cream, and in bad times you want ice cream,” Fisher said.

Those interested in renting the Handel’s truck should call the office at 330-702-8270.