Kemps launches IttiBitz.

Kemps has become the first major ice cream brand to enter the cryogenically frozen ice cream category with the launch of IttiBitz. The company describes the new product as "a revolutionary new chilled dessert product concocted of small creamy bits of ice cream that instantly melt in your customer's mouth." Of course that is a revolution that was fought and won by Dippin' Dots about 20 years ago, when it launched the first product in this particular niche of the frozen dessert market. Joining the revolution since then have been MolliCoolz and MiniMelts. Kemps does note that IttiBitz is "entirely different from other pelletized ice cream products on the market" in that the IttiBitz ice cream balls "are larger in size, have an eight-month shelf life, and can be served, stored and shipped just like regular ice cream at temperatures of up to 10 degrees. Similar products to IttiBitz require special handling, unwieldy equipment and storage temperatures of 40 below zero."

Beginning in January 2007, IttiBitz will be distributed at national sports arenas, shopping malls, movie theaters, amusement parks, scoop shops and through restaurants. Kemps is already contracted to sell IttiBitz at a number of venues including the Mall of America Kemps store, the Minneapolis Target Center and Hubert H. Humphrey MetroDome; and the University of Minnesota's Williams and Mariucci Arenas.

"After taste-testing IttiBitz, kids and families can't get enough of the little bits of yummy fun," said Rachel Kyllo, Vice President of Marketing for Kemps. "Besides the taste appeal and the unique tiny ball shapes, IttiBitz are also easy to distribute, store and handle for our vendors. With no special equipment required, less product is wasted and customer profits are kept high!"

The seven flavors of IttiBitz include: Banana Split, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chip, Cotton Candy, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Neapolitan. IttiBitz will be distributed as 48 packs of lidded five ounce cups and as two packs of 1.4-gallon pails.

Kemps is launching its IttiBitz roll-out by sampling and exhibiting at upcoming national conferences, including the Nov 8-11 International Association of Ice Cream Vendors Annual Convention (IAICV), the Nov 15-18 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo, and the Dec 4-6 International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Convention.