A SCOOP of INCLUSION

THEOPHILUS NTI

10/17/2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS

*ABSTRACT

*PROPOSAL

*WORKS CITED
ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project was to find ice cream flavors for the Lithia Springs

community. It was discovered from the data gathered that 35% of the population was lactose

intolerance while 20% of the were accepting to trying non-dairy based flavors. After the study

was conducted, it was apparent that there was an open market for non-dairy products.

This study was initially conducted to determine the favorite ice cream flavors of the people in

Lithia Springs. A survey consisting of two questions were sent out to the public, upon which 34

out of 60 came back filled. The data analysis proved a significant number of lactose-intolerant

people or are willing to try non-dairy-based ice cream. The company stands to gain financially,

socially, and environmental wise by including plant-based products to our commodities to

significantly minimize our carbon footprint.

PROPOSAL

The purpose of this project was to create an opportunity for individuals who are lactose

intolerant or open-minded to try non-dairy flavors after our initial research revealed the need for

this option. The initial step was to create a survey to discover the most enjoyed ice cream flavors

in Lithia Springs. However, data analysis proved the need for a more inclusive ice cream base.

Creating an inclusive ice cream shop for all dietary and health conditions is plausible for

accomplishing this undertaking.

Data revealed lactose intolerance (LI) is common in the city we surveyed hence the need

for a solution. Disagreeing with the widespread belief that lactose intolerance (LI) is an allergic

reaction to milk (dairy products) but is a digestive system disorder caused by the inability to

digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products. It can cause several symptoms, including

bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. People living with lactose intolerance do not make

enough of the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose. Lactase enzymes must break lactose

down into glucose and galactose, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized

for energy. Without sufficient lactase, lactose goes through the digestive system undigested.

Presently, it is estimated that 75% of the world's population suffer from lactose intolerant.

According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 65% of Americans suffer from

lactose intolerance in the United States of America. This statistic shows that a massive chunk of

Americans is missing a scoop of good old ice cream. Imagine a child not enjoying this tasting

delicacy due to no fault of his/hers, as he looks on while his/her friends relish theirs

wholeheartedly.
 The implications that may arise from ignoring this problem are LI sufferers will feel

neglected by the dairy industry and other companies that deal with dairy products for not

considering them and providing an alternative. I will feel disappointed if I was a LI sufferer, and

whenever I go for grocery shopping, I am unable to find an option for various dairy products.

Every kid is always in a hyper mood when the word ice cream is mentioned.

The product I am offering to fix this problem is plant-based milk, which includes oat, soy,

almond, coconut, cashew, or sometimes a combination of those mentioned earlier. Each has its

distinct taste on the human taste palate. I have personally tried coconut-based ice cream, and I

must say I will take it over dairy-based ice cream on any given day.

Furthermore, if one closely considers the importance of dairy in our diet, you would

realize that calcium and other nutrients we stand to gain from it may also be gotten from other

food sources. So, it's clear we can do without it. The myth that has been flying around since time

immemorial that milk makes one's bone strong pseudo right, and if you are a woman, it may

weaken them. This evident as parts of the world that consume fewer dairy products like Asia and

Africa have the lowest incidence of osteoporosis. The consumption of dairy products decreased

by 6% in April of 2017 compared to the previous year. This has been the trend for several years.

This trend may be due to the growth of veganism and other diets or people just trying to eat

healthier wise than the generations before. Due to this new trend, plant milk sales are projected

to grow 61% over the next five years, while dairy sales took a plummet by 15%. Weight loss has

been attributed to no or less consumption of dairy products. According to a poll by

VoucherCodes Pro, 1 in 12 parents is raising their children vegan. This shift is bound to increase

as people cite ethical reasons around animal welfare.

 Besides the health benefits from going to dairy alternatives, there is also a huge win when

it comes to global warming (climate change) regarding finding alternatives to dairy products.

Research shows that livestock account for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions,

and global consumption of livestock products are proliferating. The various stages involved,

from getting the milk from the animal to finally getting it to our fridges or the animal being

slaughtered and processed to meat and reaching our household, leave a giant carbon footprint. As

the cow itself releases methane gas anytime, it burps or passes gas.

In conclusion, the above highlighted economic, social, and environmental reasons are

enough to inform the company's stakeholders on the importance of considering adding either

plant-based milk or any nondairy-based alternatives to the product line.

 WORKS CITED

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2005/12/05/lactose-intolerance-doesnt-mean-you-cant-eat-ice-

cream/

https://www.freshnlean.com/blog/real-reasons-part-2-going-dairy-free/

https://www.thedailymeal.com/cook/11-ice-cream-alternatives-dairy-free

https://plantbasednews.org/opinion/us-dairy-sales-drop-11-2020-other-positive-vegan-stats/

https://plantbasednews.org/opinion/us-dairy-sales-drop-11-2020-other-positive-vegan-stats/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lactose-intolerance-101

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1462901109000173