Columbus, Ohio-based Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has released Sunshine, a gray, citrus-flavored ice cream, in honor of Mental Health Awareness month and in partnership with On Our Sleeves, the movement to break stigmas around children’s mental health.
The company said that the new Sunshine flavor is designed to get people talking. Inspired by Depressed Cake Shop, it appears as muted gray as a rain cloud but “tastes like a ray of sunshine.”
Sunshine is meant to raise awareness of – and spark conversations about – children’s mental health. Jeni’s has donated $25,000 to help On Our Sleeves distribute Kindness Kits to 30,000 kids in classrooms nationwide. Each kit includes curriculum and activities for children to learn about and practice kindness together. Additionally, Jeni’s is accepting donations to support On Our Sleeves in scoop shops throughout May.
“Even before the pandemic, we were seeing alarming trends in children’s mental health,” said Ariana Hoet, a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and clinical director of On Our Sleeves. “This is why it’s important to provide parents, caretakers and teachers with resources and information to better understand the children in their lives.
“By having important conversations and building daily check-in habits, we’re equipping kids with the resources they need to build their mental wellness and feel comfortable seeking help when they need it. We’re so excited by Jeni’s commitment to supporting pediatric mental health and continuing these conversations over a scoop of Sunshine.”
Jeni’s has also partnered with streetwear brand Lonely Ghost on a hoodie inspired by Sunshine to benefit On Our Sleeves. The hoodie drops on Lonely Ghost’s site on May 4 and is expected to sell out quickly.
Throughout May, Jeni’s shops will also feature conversation starters from the behavioral health experts at On Our Sleeves to spark conversations with kids, inviting ice cream fans to check in over a scoop of Sunshine.
Jeni’s is a modern American ice cream company that makes flavors with direct, fair trade ingredients and milk from family dairies. Jeni’s is a Certified B Corporation with 64 scoop shops, an online shop and distribution in grocery stores, such as Kroger, Publix and Target.
Sunshine is available in shops and online at jenis.com.
