Agropur supports Happy Cones, a solar-powered ice cream trailer
If you live or are near Antigonish, Nova Scotia, this summer, you may have the opportunity to observe an ice cream trailer unlike any other… And even the first of its kind in Canada!
Launched in July, Happy Cones is a 100% solar-powered ice cream trailer, created, owned and operated by Nicky Nicholson, a young student from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The aim: promote care for the environment and energy efficiency in a fun and educational way and distributing our Scotsburn Joins Farmers ice creams, while providing youth summer employment for her classmates.
What are the project origins?
Nicky Nicholson participated in a summer program offered through St. Francis Xavier University for girls aged 14-19 living in Antigonish who are interested in entrepreneurship. This is where she created and developed her idea for Happy Cones.
With the help of her family, she purchased a small aluminum trailer, a storage freezer, and constructed a serving counter with storage to accommodate the sinks, a potable water supply, a small water pump, and a water heater. The ice cream trailer has a 3000-watt solar power unit to run the equipment and a local fabricator added the trailer sides and roof so it can safely support the 4 x 100-watt solar roof panels.
Happy Cones is a registered Nova Scotia business and certified as a Class 1 Mobile Vending Food Establishment.
Agropur contributes to Happy Cones providing Scotsburn Joins Farmers products
Nicholson’s project received the support of « generous and wonderful sponsors » she said, enabling a multidisciplinary approach and beneficiating from the expertise of all:
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Celcold for the refrigeration systems;
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Efficiency Nova Scotia, Clean NS, Brilliant Labs, Indigenous Clean Energy, Nova Scotia Power for the energy management;
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Agropur through Scotsburn Joins Farmers for the delicious ice creams!
A project supported and applauded by the the municipality and the community
In addition to providing funding, the Municipality of the County of Antigonish does not hide its pride to the promising and innovative project as an ambassador in their community for the promotion of energy efficiency, thinking green, sustainability, but also young entrepreneurship.
“We’re so happy to see young entrepreneurs thinking green and keeping community sustainability top of mind. Happy Cones has shown how the great benefits of solar power can be used in creative ways and is a model for all of us to consider using solar to reduce our carbon footprint”, said Mayor of the Town of Antigonish, Laurie Boucher.
To spread the message, Nicky Nicholson partnered with local radio station, 989 XFM, and developed a highly visible sales and location plan which includes daily visits to shopping malls, parks, playgrounds, and high traffic areas. She also participates in her local and surrounding communities' social, recreational, and sports events and activities (i.e., fairs, exhibitions, markets, Highland Games and St. FX sports and summer camps etc.).