HOUSTON — Why could inflation kill the ice cream truck?
They are a beloved sign of summer, the ice cream truck rolling down the road playing a cheerful tune that alerts children blocks away that sweet treats have arrived.
According to the New York Times, inflation is taking a big bite out of ice cream truck profits forcing some owners to put the brakes on operations. Now, some are wondering if the future of this time-honored business is in jeopardy.
Although fuel prices are falling, diesel, which fuels most ice cream trucks, is still above $5 nationwide. That’s compared to around $3.30 a year ago.
That’s not the only big price increase. A gallon of vanilla ice cream now costs around $13, while a 25-pound box of sprinkles is around $60, double what it cost a year ago, according to the Times.
Inflation is not the only trend taking a bite out of profits. Changing tastes are taking a toll as well. Garages that used to house just ice cream trucks are now full of food trucks.
People looking for a convenient sweet treat can now turn to food delivery apps without even walking out the door.
All this adds up to ice cream trucks disappearing faster than a snow cone in summer.