Raw. Delicious. Soy-free, too! The Raw Ice Cream Company's vegan products deliver on taste and health while being eco-friendly.

Because of its cashew nut and coconut meat base, the RICC's ice cream is not only creamy but also a supreme source of essential fatty acids. The company strictly uses packaging derived from renewable resources such as reed and sugar cane. Founder Mark Roth answers questions for FoodieLink about RICC's innovative products and mission.

*What sparked the founder (Mark Roth) to create the Raw Ice Cream Company? Easy, when the founder became vegan there was no good non-soy vegan ice cream on the market. Ice Cream was one of his favorite foods he simply refused to live without. The creation of Raw Ice Cream Company was simply to fill that ice cream void.

How is RICC ice cream different from regular ice cream? Is not cows’ milk ice cream raw as well? Sure, but 99% of milk is pasteurized, and mostly all the major ice cream makers use powdered milk (its cheaper). Where they use milk we use coconut meat, where they use sugar we use agave nectar, where they use eggs we use cashews. All our ingredients are far more expensive and nutritionally superior. That being said, both products are delicious. Ours is simply more healthy, vegan, sustainable, cruelty free, raw, AND delicious

Will the RICC expand its list of ice cream flavors? Does/will the company offer other products? We are working on new flavors all the time. Our next one out will probably be an almond chocolate crunch, or vanilla chip. Something with a crunch to it. The people...they like the crunch. We are hoping to offer ice cream sandwiches in the future.

Would you describe RICC as a socially conscious company? Why? Extremely. Our ingredients and packaging is all renewable, compostable and plant based. Our company motto is "planet before profit". As for the why, to be any other way is insane and counter productive to everything. It may be cheaper in the short term, but only in the short term.

It seems that many environmentally conscious food businesses and entrepreneurs are based in Brooklyn. Why do you think Brooklyn is leading this food movement? I have no idea, but i'm so glad it's happening. I think it may be due to inspiration. One company inspiring other people to actually make a difference. "Be the change you wish to see in the world" is what Ghandi said. In Brooklyn it's "see the change you wish to be in the world, tweak the idea and start your own business"

Where can FoodieLink members find RICC? Some of the locations are listed on our website The Raw Ice Cream Company but you can find us in Fairway veerrrry verrrrry soon, Westerly's, Commodities Market, Organic Avenue, Live Live, Earth Matters, Natural Frontier, Park Slope Food Coop, Organic Planet, Fresh fanatic. If you make a request for us in Whole Foods you'd be helping us out :).

Thanks again to Roth and The Raw Ice Cream Company. Please check out our favorite flavors, Mint Chip and Chocolate Hazelnut.