For 33 years, the International Dairy Foods Association has been having an ice cream arty on Capitol Hill. The most recent edition was on June 18.

Ice cream maker Chip Graeter traded in a hairnet for a hardhat today as he toured reporters through the company’s soon-to-be opened ice cream shop in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook. 

Ice cream companies live and die by their flavors. At Blue Bell Creameries, a product development team considers as many as 300 ideas every year before whittling them down to five to be launched in grocery and foodservice channels.

Slowly but surely, the Texas creamery has been expanding throughout the United States. Today it sells into groceries and foodservice accounts in 23 states. A reputation for flavors and a focus on customer service helps the company grow.