Putting the ‘Cool’ in School: PETA’s Vegan Ice Cream Truck to Serve Elementary Schoolers in Roosevelt
For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2025
Contact:
Hannah Nelson 202-483-7382
Put down the pencils and churn up the volume! Ice cream-seeking kiddos will be raising a ruckus on Thursday at Washington Rose Elementary School, which has invited TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—and Humane Long Island to stop by with PETA’s new “I Scream” truck. The rolling scoop shop will encourage students and teachers alike to scream—literally—for free vegan ice cream, a huge treat for lactose-intolerant children and anyone who cares about cows. The Roosevelt school is the latest stop for PETA’s mobile parlor, which is crisscrossing the country to hand out thousands ofdecadent vegan strawberry shortcake and chocolate fudge frozen pops from GoodPop.
In addition to giving away the dairy-free delights, TeachKind will donate free copies of Harvey and the Lightning Herd to classrooms—a moo-ving animal rescue tale co-authored by The Cow Sanctuary founder Helga Tacreiter and PETA. Washington Rose Elementary School teacher, Nicole Rivera, TeachKind’s 2025 Elementary School Teacher of the Year, is helping to coordinate Thursday’s visit.
“Vegan ice cream is tasty, kid-friendly, and kind to cows, whose milk belongs to their calves, not to us,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “TeachKind is delighted to give students a taste of how easy it is to choose delectable dairy-free desserts that leave animals in peace.”
Where: Washington Rose Elementary School, 2 Rose Ave., Roosevelt
When: Thursday, October 9, 10 a.m.
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, 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.
