South Mountain Creamery is proud to announce their strategic growth plans for home grocery delivery, wholesale, family-friendly experiences at their farm in Middletown, MD.
As a result of their ongoing growth strategy, South Mountain Creamery has chosen not to renew their lease on the South Mountain Creamery Ice Cream Shop & Pizza in Downtown Frederick, Maryland, which the company occupied for eight years. Located off Carroll Creek and Market Street in Downtown Frederick, the Ice Cream Shop & Pizza will close out eight years of operation in the space on August 24, 2025.
“We’re grateful to our loyal customers these last years and have enjoyed being part of the Downtown Frederick scene,” said Tony Brusco, CEO, South Mountain Creamery. “As we look to the future of South Mountain Creamery, we’re excited to better serve our customers through our growing home delivery and wholesale services, and through memorable experiences at our farm.”
South Mountain Creamery’s values have always centered on family, agriculture, and connecting people with great food. The decision to close the Downtown Frederick shop is part of their larger strategy; as the company concentrates on growing their home delivery, wholesale services, and farm experience services, this retail location does not align with their new goals.
“Our roots have always been deeply agricultural, and our focus will continue to center on responsible and sustainable farming practices, family, and connecting good food to good people through the passion of our team and the quality of our farm-fresh products,” said Tony Brusco, CEO, South Mountain Creamery.
For over 40 years, three generations of the Sowers-Brusco family have been working together to produce quality dairy and farm products offered through South Mountain Creamery.
In a time when it is increasingly difficult for family-owned businesses to remain operational, South Mountain Creamery is proud to see the continuation and growth of a legacy rooted in farming and quality food as they look to the future of their business.
South Mountain Creamery’s home delivery service brings its farm-fresh milk, ice cream, butter, and beverages to homes across a wide territory, along with an ever-growing lineup of local meats, produce, and other products from like-minded farm partners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, South Mountain Creamery saw significant expansion of their existing service as consumers faced grocery shortages. As customers shifted their shopping habits, the influx of new delivery routes helped build upon South Mountain Creamer’s already successful business.
In the years following, strategic acquisitions of Washington Green Grocer, 4P Foods, and Oberweis Dairy east coast home delivery routes further fueled their expansion. These new routes allowed South Mountain Creamery to deepen their presence in existing markets, extend their reach significantly further south, and cater to a growing demand for organic grocery options within their established territories. This expansion allowed them to hire additional employees, growing from 162 to 198 over 3 years, and they now offer home delivery routes in the following territories: Maryland, D.C., and West Virginia; Delaware and Pennsylvania; Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads; and North Carolina.
Through their home delivery service, South Mountain Creamery champions local agriculture by sourcing a diverse range of products from regional producers thanks to strong partnerships with farmers and small businesses. Currently, 93 individual farmers and businesses are supported through this partnership model. This gives home delivery customers access to a rich selection of high-quality, in-season, and locally-made goods, including South Mountain Creamery staples like milk, butter, and eggs. Their dedication to partnering with small and family-owned businesses supports a shorter, more stable supply chain and fresher foods for families seeking healthy options.
During the pandemic, South Mountain Creamery also acquired the Trickling Springs Organic milk operation and bottling plant, enabling them to introduce an organic line of milk sourced through an organic co-op in Pennsylvania. The acquisition also facilitated a substantial increase in ice cream production following the installation of new equipment at the Pennsylvania plant, and notably, allowed the company to re-employ individuals who had been laid off when the plant originally closed.
With home delivery and wholesale combined, South Mountain Creamery sold a total of 1.9M gallons of milk in 2022––and in 2024 that number rose to 2.9M gallons of milk. Today, after adding the organic milk line and expanding ice cream production capabilities, South Mountain Creamery can support their new wholesale footprint which extends beyond their initial distribution regions. Customers can find their products in Wegmans, Fresh Market, MOM’s Organic Market, Harris Teeter, and a range of independent grocers and farm stores from Virginia to Vermont. Their presence in sports venues has grown, too—with partnerships including Camden Yards in Baltimore and Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.—bringing their ice cream to an even wider audience.
While all this growth is happening, the Sowers-Brusco family remains committed to offering opportunities for connection on their family farm in Maryland. They produce tours of the working farm, calf feedings, shopping at their on-site market and ice cream store, and family-friendly events throughout the year. These experiences reflect South Mountain Creamery’s commitment to transparency, community, and the belief that good food starts with knowing where it comes from. Each year they welcome thousands of guests to their farm and are able to share and educate the community on where their food comes from, and how it’s made.
