Help

FAQs

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My grocery store doesn't carry McC's. Can I do something about it?

If your local retailer doesn't currently stock McConnell's, we'd ask that you first contact the store's management to see if they'd consider doing so. If you'd like some help, please contact us at our Corporate Office, at 805.963.8813, and we'll do whatever we can to assist you.

How do I know which flavors I'll find at my local grocery store?

The selection of McConnell's you'll find on store shelves will vary from store to store, since different store personnel order the flavors they choose to carry.
If you're looking for a particular flavor at your local retailer, please contact that store's management, or call our Corporate Office at 805.963.8813, and we'll do whatever we can to help.

Where can I buy McConnell’s?

You can find McConnell's Fine Ice Creams (pints and scooped) in select grocery stores and specialty retailers throughout the U.S.A. Please go to our FIND US page and use our Store Locator to find the closest location to purchase McConnell's near you.

Does McConnell's franchise?

At McConnell's, we're obsessed with all things ice cream. From the making of our ice creams to the serving of our ice creams, to our wonderful customers.
While franchising can provide a great opportunity for growth, for us, expansion is secondary to providing the unique, McConnell's experience. To deliver that experience, we feel we must closely manage every aspect of our scoop shops, from design to the customer experience. For this reason, we own and operate, rather than franchise our McConnell's scoop shops.

Are all McC’s flavors 100% organic?

McConnell's Organic Fine Ice Creams are 100% certified organic.

While we use organic ingredients in all of our ice creams and frozen desserts wherever and whenever possible, only our organic line is 100% certified organic at this time. At McConnell's, we have one goal: to make the world's finest ice creams. We achieve this is by having exceptionally high standards across the board. To maintain these standards, it’s critical that every ingredient in our ice creams be of the highest quality. The milk & cream we use comes from cows raised by local dairy co-ops on the Central Coast and California Central Valley. It is grass-grazed, hormone and antibiotic free. Our dairy is of exceptionally high quality. We are ardent supporters of organics in general. With that said, in our almost 70 years as a dairy, it’s been our experience that milk & cream can vary greatly in quality and consistency. Inconsistency in milk & cream can be traced to any number of factors, including feed, animal husbandry, and dairy processing. Organic is a term that defines a process, rather than objective quality. There is wonderful and not-so-wonderful organic milk in the market, just as there is wonderful and less wonderful organic fruit, nuts, chocolate, etc. While organic is certainly an important factor when it comes to selecting ingredients for McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, committing wholly to organics, over objective quality, would suggest we at McConnell’s valued process over quality. At McConnell's, achieving anything less than our stated goal is unacceptable. 

Is the organic line free of GMO’s?

Yes. Under USDA organic federal guidelines, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) are not allowed for use in certified organic products.

What does it mean to be certified organic?

Our organic flavors are made using ingredients that were not produced using genetic engineering (GMO’s), sewage sludge, ionizing radiation, or with the use of prohibited pesticides or fertilizers.

Why is the pint I bought at the grocery store icy?

First, let us apologize for the sub-par pint you purchased. McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams should never come to you in that condition. It sounds like you may have purchased a pint that was affected by freezer burn. This is a condition that can sometimes occur when ice cream is allowed to melt and then re-freeze again. While we are confident that our ice creams leave the Old Dairy in perfect condition, occasionally during transport or once inside store freezers (where freezer doors open and close, letting in warm air), this can happen. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, please email us at info@mcconnells.com and let us know. We promise to make it right.

Can I tour The New Dairy?

While nothing would make us happier than to have our customers pay us a visit us at our production facility, we are a working dairy, and that fact alone, unfortunately, makes tours not possible. Like other food manufacturers, we are, beyond the products we make, first and foremost in the business of food safety. Properly set-up and maintained food production environments adhere to all manner of food safety issues and health codes to ensure the products they produce are safe for consumption.

To effectively maintain the safety of our products and the production environment, it is critical that we allow only our staff to enter the dairy floor. We welcome you to visit our flagship scoop shop at 728 State Street in Santa Barbara, where you'll find a wealth of historical information about McC’s, along with the McC's Bake Room, which produces house-made sauces, toppings, and other delicious baked treats to accompany your favorite ice creams. It's the next best thing to a tour!

Does McConnell's make single servings?

Yes! Our single-serves are available in select grocery store locations. 

What happened to my favorite flavor?

There are always new things happening here at McConnell's, including the development of delicious new flavors for our scoop shops and pints sold at grocery stores. Unfortunately, The Old Dairy can only produce so many ice cream flavors at once. In order to keep innovating, we have to send some of our line-up - even some of our classic flavors - on temporary vacation.
Rest assured that most of your favorites will, in time, return to the McC’s line-up.
While we're sorry to be the bearer of bad news, we'd be happy to offer up some suggestions for some delicious flavors you might not yet have tried. Email us at info@mcconnells.com for some ideas!

Will McConnell's donate to my cause?

As much as we would like to honor all donation requests, McConnell's receives far more inquiries and requests for donations than we can support. We love sharing our ice creams with the world, and we wish we could say “yes” to all the requests! But unfortunately, it’s just not possible.

We’ve decided that we can provide the most impact by focusing our donation efforts on spreading joy to the kids in our communities through education, health & wellbeing, and inclusivity.

We sincerely appreciate you reaching out to us and we wish you the very best with your fundraising efforts.