Chicago's JUSTice Cream stands for social justice. The new, woman-led company is debuting a line of vegan ice cream in the Windy City and 100% net profit will go to organizations fighting for change.
Hialy Gutierrez, founder of JUSTice Cream makes vegan ice cream with more sustainable ingredients for those who are lactose intolerant. Hialy told VegOut, “JUSTice Cream is a play on the word justice and ice cream… as in, it’s *not* just ice cream—it’s also a vehicle for justice.” Her business will address issues with the nonprofit industrial structure, negative conceptions of veganism, human and environmental exploitation, and food industry practices. She hopes her company can be a source of support for organizations that focus on liberation work and that it can inspire conversations on social justice.
JUSTice cream will be sold in a variety of flavors, including:
- Fudge the Police (mint-vanilla flavor with fudge swirls), a critique of the institution of policing—benefits Black Lives Matter Chicago
- Reparalines and Cream (a vanilla bean base with cognac-infused praline sauce—benefits the Chicago Torture Justice Center (CTJC), which provides services to victims of police torture
- ABOLECHE ICE (strawberry and tres leches), a critique of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency—benefits Organized Communities Against Deportation (OCAD)
- Frida Kahlua (a coffee base and Kahlua syrup with churros)—benefits Art and Resistance through Education (ARTE), which uses art to amplify voices in the human rights movement
- Purple Root (ube flavor)—benefits Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment, which fights for immigrants, domestic workers, low-wage workers, seniors, and youth
“More flavors will be created as we build out this movement and establish more relationships with community-based organizations,” Gutierrez said.
JUSTice Cream will be available for purchase via pop-up in late July, possibly early August. The company hopes to expand into local co-op markets and small grocery stores in fall 2020. Check out their Instagram page for updates.
