Sweet Relief! PETA Bringing Free Vegan Ice Cream to South Boston After Lemonade Stand Robbery

For Immediate Release:
June 17, 2026

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

Following a frightening armed robbery at a children’s lemonade stand in South Boston last week, PETA’s vegan ice cream truck is heading to the neighborhood to spread some cheer—complete with a prize wheel and humane education materials designed to help children build empathy for each other and all animals.

“Sometimes the best way to turn things around is with a little sweetness and a lot of kindness,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA hopes our dairy-free treats and humane education materials will inspire kids to build a kinder world for all, one scoop and one act of kindness at a time.”

This summer, PETA’s treat-filled truck is making stops across the country, doling out dairy-free delights and urging ice cream shops and festivals to offer options that are as delicious as they are kind to cows. Given children’s natural empathy for animals, and because many are lactose intolerant, shops that are already serving vegan ice cream are scooping up the rewards. 

Where:           Evans Field, William J. Day Blvd., South Boston (beach side of the field)

When:             Friday, June 19, 12 noon

Why:               Cows have friends and mourn when a loved one dies or when they’re separated from each other, yet in the dairy industry, female cows are forcibly impregnated and have their beloved calves stolen from them so the milk meant to nourish their babies can be sold to humans. Newborn males are slaughtered for veal, while female calves endure the same fate as their mothers until their bodies wear out and they’re sent to slaughter.

PETA notes that with an abundance of dairy-free ice creams available today—including decadent vegan flavors from Oatly, Breyer’s, Ben & Jerry’s,  Bryers, and more—it’s never been easier to opt for delicious desserts that let calves stay with their mothers.

PETA’s free vegan starter kit—and guide to chains that offer vegan ice cream—can help anyone looking to make the switch.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.