New Ice Cream Brand Born in Valmiera, Made with Local Milk

Iluta Roberta, a resident of Valmiera, has started producing ice cream under the brand "Valmieras saldējums" (Valmiera Ice Cream). The idea came to her while observing people's smiles when buying ice cream – she sees it as a celebration. Production began in May of this year.

Roberta emphasizes the importance of using local ingredients, so she partnered with "Smiltenes piens" to source milk from the Vidzeme region. The name on the label is deliberate: until now, Valmiera did not have its own ice cream, although the city already has Valmiera cheese and Valmiera salads.

The new product highlights how local entrepreneurs are strengthening regional identity and offering consumers a product with a clear origin story. Currently, the ice cream is available in a limited market, with plans to expand distribution in the future.