A new artisan ice cream shop set up by a 21-year-old in Co Tyrone has been proving popular with the local community.
Betty’s Ice Cream is the new venture from Bethany Boyd, whose family used to have a farm. She kept up her interest in the food industry with her studies at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise campus at Loughry, Cookstown.
Helped out by her dad Trevor and mum Barbara, as well as a list of other family members, Bethany has set up her stall in Pomeroy for the last two Saturdays while also setting up at a number of events in the local area.
“During lockdown everyone was getting more into buying local products and we just wanted to be part of that,” Bethany said.
“Part of the reason for going for it as well was that I wanted to show the work of female farmers, and I get my milk from a female farmer up in Derry, so it’s great to get her up and running.
“Everyone thinks that agriculture is just a man’s job but we’re trying to make that different by starting my own food business and helping someone else get started as well.
“I go to Loughry College outside Cookstown, so I have a bit of experience in the food industry and I just wanted to make something for myself.”
Bethany said that while the business is very much her own, she is grateful for the amount of help she gets from family and friends.
“It’s a real family business, everybody pitches in but everything rests on my shoulders in the end. The name Betty’s came from my nickname and that’s what everyone calls me.
“Mum, dad, brothers, sister-in-law, whenever they are needed they are all happy to be chipping in and helping me out.
“It was a wee bit daunting but everyone has been very supportive and people have been getting in touch about things and contracts are coming that you just never expected, so I’m very pleased with how it’s been going.
“Our first event was in July there, and it has just been a whirlwind since that.
“I’m still in Loughry at the moment but I would love to turn it into a full-time job and get into some farm shops and do more events whenever I have more time on my hands and can throw myself into it fully.”
