Stephanie Wilmot is one of around 260 employees at the Agropur ice cream and frozen novelties plant in Truro. She says making great ice cream is a science and an art. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentTRURO – During the summer months, employees working in the freezer at Agropur’s ice cream and frozen novelties plant might have the coolest job in Colchester County.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe freezer’s temperature, hovering around -30 C, is a stark contrast to the heat and humidity outside.Article contentArticle content“The freezer makes up a pretty large portion of our building here, because we do have a large storage section,” said Stephanie Wilmot, optimization and continuous improvement manager at the Truro plant.Article contentArticle content“Sometimes on the hot days you’ll see the warehouse crew heading outside on a break or something, and they’ll be out there, plus 30 (degrees), with their freezer suits on, because they’re so cold from the freezer.”Article contentAgropur’s ice cream and frozen novelties plant, located in the Truro Business Park, makes products that are sold across Canada. This includes treats for brands like Scotsburn and Natrel.Article contentWilmot recently spoke with the Truro News about what it’s like working at an ice cream plant.Article content“It is super exciting and fun every day here,” she said. “Every day brings new opportunities.”Article contentWilmot works with all the different departments in the plant. She could be spotted in the warehouse, the quality lab, or on the production floor, where she helps with taste-testing and product development.Article content“Taste-testing is actually like an integral part of ice cream production,” said Wilmot.Article content“All the operators and everyone in the plant needs to understand what our products are meant to taste like and the textures and whatnot. So, as quality is extremely important in any food manufacturing, we need to do product evaluations often and with every product.”Article contentArticle content The Truro ice cream plant makes Scotsburn and Natrel products. Pictured is a tub of Scotsburn Moon Mist, a flavour of ice cream considered a favourite among many Atlantic Canadians. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentThe Truro facility has multiple formats and production lines, Wilmot explained. It produces 1.5-litre tubs of ice cream carried in grocery stores, as well as bulk 11.4-litre containers of ice cream used in scoop shops.Article contentThe plant also produces desserts like mochi, cookie dough bites, ice cream bars, and ice cream sandwiches.Article contentWorking at an ice cream plant is a unique job, and Wilmot said there are many parts of ice cream production that people may not think about or know about.Article content“I would say that the biggest misconception is like how much work goes into that … treat that they’re eating. I like to say that making great ice cream consistently is a science and an art.”Article contentWilmot’s favourite part of her job is the variation of the role. And, she added, the taste-testing isn’t a bad perk.Article contentShe said working in an ice cream plant is a combination of real-world manufacturing, challenges, and working with a knowledgeable team committed to producing safe, quality food.Article content“And then we get to deliver these delicious ice cream treats that families – not only in the community but across the country – enjoy, so that makes it pretty cool.”Article content
Coolest job in Colchester: Whats it like working at an ice cream plant?
