The Best Scoops of Ice Cream Just Might Contain Veggies
Ever think that scoops of ice cream could count towards your daily servings of vegetables? Yeah, neither did we—until we discovered Little Fox Cups and Cones in Oceanside, California. Here, the boundaries between sweet treats and veggies blur deliciously, and it’s a match made in CA GROWN heaven!
Meet Meghan Knoll, Ice Cream Visionary and Produce Lover
If anyone could convince me to swap my go-to fruit-filled ice cream for veggie-packed ice cream scoops, it’s Meghan Knoll, the passionate founder of Little Fox Cups and Cones. Her path from architecture school to owning a dreamy ice cream parlor wasn’t exactly conventional, but hey—when is the road to greatness ever predictable?
“I got into ice cream and just the industry in general because I love taking care of people, and food is my way of showing people how much I care about them and love them,” Meghan shares.
To us, the care she pours into each pint is clear as day.
From Local Farms to Your Scoop
At Little Fox Cups and Cones, scoops of ice cream aren’t just treats—they’re edible love letters to local agriculture. Meghan goes all-in on sourcing ingredients from local California farms:
Carrot Craze: The 24 Karat Gold flavor uses roasted carrots from local D’Acquisto Farms, combined with local honey and spicy hazelnut brittle.
So So-Cal Avocados: Partnering with a farmer who also happens to be singer Jason Mraz, Meghan rescues windfall avocados that would otherwise go to waste, transforming them into an unforgettable avocado-toast-inspired scoop with California olive oil and a dash of cayenne.
Ecology Center Strawberries: Fresh strawberries roasted with elderflower liqueur become a velvety, sophisticated delight. Meghan describes it as, “like a strawberry flavor you’ve never had before.”
And local produce is just scratching the surface!
Why Local Dairy Matters
It’s not just the veggies that make these scoops of ice cream stand out—it’s the dairy. Meghan insists on sourcing milk from nearby Hollandia Dairy, right outside Oceanside in San Marcos. She chose them specifically for their butterfat-rich cream. Why does butterfat matter? Well, it’s the secret behind that ultra-creamy, luxurious texture everyone dreams of in their ice cream.
“We love working with them,” Meghan gushes. “They’re just such a wonderful local company, run by a really small group of people who care a lot about us.”
Spotlight Ingredient: California Prunes
Let’s talk prunes for a sec—California prunes, specifically. Did you know these sweet little gems are packed with fiber, antioxidants, and potassium? Meghan leverages their sweetness and depth in exciting ways. Her recent collaboration with CA GROWN creator Jaíne Mackiewicz led to a one-of-a-kind flavor called “Winging It,” featuring California Prunes simmered with California Pinot Noir and local Cara Cara oranges. The result? An elevated prune jam swirl, blended with Brazilian dulce de leche and coconut cookie bits.
Seasonal Flavors = Ever-Changing Adventures
Meghan explains that Little Fox flavors rotate based on what’s freshly available. “Our menu is constantly changing, dictated by what the farmers have available. So you’ll have something for three or four months, maybe, and then the next three or four months, we have something totally different.” In other words, don’t sleep on your favorite scoops—they might not be around for long!
Why This Matters to You
The beauty of Meghan’s approach is bigger than just tasty treats. Supporting local agriculture and using seasonal ingredients means shorter journeys from farm to scoop, resulting in fresher, more nutrient-rich ingredients and a happier planet.
“The health of our food, how good it is, is really a reflection of our community,” Meghan says. “The more farmers’ markets we see, the more farmers growing food means we have a healthier community.”
Find Little Fox Near You
Can’t make it to Oceanside? You’re in luck! Little Fox Cups and Cones has additional locations popping up around Southern California. Keep your eyes peeled for their delightful scoops in neighborhoods near you, like the Cardiff-by-the-Sea location that is expected to open this summer at 113 Chesterfield Drive.
Whichever location you visit, you can rest assured that each location will showcase its commitment to locally sourced ingredients and community-driven flavors.
Ready to Taste the Magic?
Little Fox Cups and Cones isn’t just an ice cream shop—it’s a love song to California’s farms, crafted in the form of irresistible scoops of ice cream. Whether you’re a veggie lover or just curious about dessert possibilities, this place will absolutely delight your taste buds.
Swing by their Oceanside location to experience firsthand what happens when CA GROWN ingredients meet passionate creativity. And who knows—you might just walk away with a whole new outlook on veggies. Yep, ice cream might actually be the tastiest way to eat your greens!
