Blue Bell Coming To More Texas Cities As Company Rehires Employees
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Executives with Blue Bell Ice Cream announced today that they're beginning 'Phase Three' of their ice cream re-entry plan and that means 16 Texas cities will soon be enjoying some cool treats.
As this part of the plan gets underway the company is also bringing back employees who were put on paid furlough earlier this year.
Officials with Blue Bell say the company has "moved carefully" during each re-entry phase, trying to build inventory in those areas before moving on to a new one.
In a press release statement, Blue Bell vice president of sales and marketing Ricky Dickson said, "Our Broken Arrow (Oklahoma) and Sylacauga (Alabama) production facilities have been in operation for several months now allowing us to build our inventory. And, we look to have our Brenham facility back in operation soon."
It was in April when Blue Bell voluntarily recalled ALL of their products because of concerns about Listeria contamination.
It was six months before the Brenham-based company started to once again deliver ice cream here in North Texas. The current 'Phase Three' re-entry includes the remaining majority of Texas and parts of Alabama.
As it stands Blue Bell is producing five flavors in half gallon and pint sizes: Buttered Pecan, Cookies 'n Cream, Dutch Chocolate, Homemade Vanilla and The Great Divide. Customers can also find 12-pak Homemade Vanilla Cups and 12-pak Homemade Vanilla and Dutch Chocolate Cups on store shelves.
The company hasn't given specifics but say more flavors will be added in the future. Dickson said, "We understand it has taken time to get our products back in stores and we greatly appreciate the patience and support of our customers."
Texans in the following cities will have Blue Bell back in their area on December 14.
- Abilene
- Amarillo
- Beaumont
- Big Spring
- Brownsville
- Corpus Christi
- Harlingen
- Laredo
- Longview
- Lubbock
- Lufkin
- Midland
- McAllen
- Odessa
- San Antonio
- Tyler
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