Refreshing, low-cal AND local? A new gourmet popsicle is taking over the local farmers market scene and it’s definitely mother-approved. Mompops are made from fresh and healthful ingredients, like fruit, agave nectar, coconut milk and honey, sourced from the surrounding area as much as possible.
These treats are perfect for the warm weather this summer, and won’t do damage to your swimsuit-conscious diet. Mompops are made by pureeing fresh fruit and/or by using pure juice/water/coconut milk with frozen fruit slices. Each pop is carefully crafted and calculated to be 100 calories or less – a guilt-free treat for sure. After sampling indulgent icy treats last summer, mother and son business partners Sandra and Issa Ostrander got the idea to start a popsicle business with a healthful mission, and have been wildly successful.
“Our first event was in August of last year, and we sold 450 pops in just three hours,” Issa said. They knew they had a winning idea on their hands. After spending the winter developing technique and cooking up delicious flavor combinations, they were ready for this year’s farmer’s market circuit to begin.
Weekly, they circle Chester County, appearing at Oxford Village (Tuesdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), The Mill at Anselma (Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), Great Valley Farmers Market (Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Kennett Square Farmers Market (Fridays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), and Phoenixville Farmers Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Mompops will be available at many of the popular festivals in the area over the summer, starting with Super Sunday on June 5, Maysie’s Farm Fest in Glenmoore on June 11 & 12, and the Chesco Hot Air Balloon Fest on June 17 & 18.
If you get to the Mompops booth early enough, you’ll have your pick of nearly a dozen flavors, but the selection is always changing. Crowd-pleasing favorites include Chocolate Banana, Pina Colada and Orange Slice – all pretty self-explanatory. Unique creations include Sleepy Head (sleepytime herbal tea, pomegranate juice and strawberry slices), and Coconutty (a blend of coconut milk and hazelnut non-dairy creamer – like a refreshing iced coffee minus the coffee!).
And more flavors are always in the works. Experimenting with new flavors is one of the most enjoyable parts of the business, Issa says, “especially when you come up with something really great!” Flavors in the works include Avocado Cucumber Chili and Gazpacho. Veggie packed pops offer added nutrition benefits along with a whole new world of flavor combos. They also make Bee Well pops that pack a wallop of Vitamin C, local bee pollen, local honey and ginger: a recipe to ward off any impending cold.
The Mompops crew is always looking to the future – they’re acquiring a special new freezer that will allow them to make pops in a fraction of the time, and are hoping to get into more retail outlets soon. Currently, you can purchase pops anytime at Mom’s Bake at Home Pizza in Thorndale (the Ostranders’ “day job”). And a big goal is to offer Mompops in area schools, instead of the sugary ice cream treats for sale in the cafeterias. And don’t be too surprised if you see a Mompops truck rolling down a road near you in the not-too-distant future! As Issa says, “Popsicles are the new cupcakes!”
Follow Mompops on Facebook, Twitter or check out their website to find out where you can get your pops, or even order a custom batch. Also, be on the lookout for a special deal through Living Social only available on May 31!
Refreshing, low-cal AND local? A new gourmet popsicle is taking over the local farmers market scene and it’s definitely mother-approved. Mompops are made from fresh and healthful ingredients, like fruit, agave nectar, coconut milk and honey, sourced from the surrounding area as much as possible.
These treats are perfect for the warm weather this summer, and won’t do damage to your swimsuit-conscious diet. Mompops are made by pureeing fresh fruit and/or by using pure juice/water/coconut milk with frozen fruit slices. Each pop is carefully crafted and calculated to be 100 calories or less – a guilt-free treat for sure. After sampling indulgent icy treats last summer, mother and son business partners Sandra and Issa Ostrander got the idea to start a popsicle business with a healthful mission, and have been wildly successful.
“Our first event was in August of last year, and we sold 450 pops in just three hours,” Issa said. They knew they had a winning idea on their hands. After spending the winter developing technique and cooking up delicious flavor combinations, they were ready for this year’s farmer’s market circuit to begin.
Weekly, they circle Chester County, appearing at Oxford Village (Tuesdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), The Mill at Anselma (Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), Great Valley Farmers Market (Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Kennett Square Farmers Market (Fridays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), and Phoenixville Farmers Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Mompops will be available at many of the popular festivals in the area over the summer, starting with Super Sunday on June 5 (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=200231796681313), Maysie’s Farm Fest in Glenmoore on June 11 & 12, and the Chesco Hot Air Balloon Fest on June 17 & 18.
If you get to the Mompops booth early enough, you’ll have your pick of nearly a dozen flavors, but the selection is always changing. Crowd-pleasing favorites include Chocolate Banana, Pina Colada and Orange Slice – all pretty self-explanatory. Unique creations include Sleepy Head (sleepytime herbal tea, pomegranate juice and strawberry slices), and CoHazlenut (a blend of coconut milk and hazlenut non-dairy creamer – like a refreshing iced coffee minus the coffee!).
And more flavors are always in the works. Experimenting with new flavors is one of the most enjoyable parts of the business, Issa says, “especially when you come up with something really great!” Flavors in the works include Avocado Cucumber Chili and Gazpacho. Veggie packed pops offer added nutrition benefits along with a whole new world of flavor combos. They also make Bee Well pops that pack a wallop of Vitamin C, local bee pollen, local honey and ginger: a recipe to ward off any impending cold.
The Mompops crew is always looking to the future – they’re acquiring a special new freezer that will allow them to make pops in a fraction of the time, and are hoping to get into more retail outlets soon. Currently, you can purchase pops anytime at Mom’s Bake at Home Pizza in Thorndale (the Ostrander’s “day job”). And a big goal is to offer Mompops in area schools, instead of the sugary ice cream treats for sale in the cafeterias. And don’t be too surprised if you see a Mompops truck rolling down a road near you in the not-too-distant future! As Issa says, “Popsicles are the new cupcakes!”
Follow Mompops on Facebook, Twitter or check out their website to find out where you can get your pops, or even order a custom batch. Also, be on the lookout for a special deal through Living Social only available on May 31!
