June 14, 2026: As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, one tried-and-true American tradition continues to bring people together on Capitol Hill: ice cream. Thousands of lawmakers, staff and federal officials gathered Wednesday (June 1o, 2026) for the International Dairy Foods Associatio n’s (IDFA) 42nd Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party, celebrating America’s favorite frozen treat and the dairy industry’s continued leadership in delivering products families know, trust and enjoy. Nearly all Americans (97%) say they like or love ice cream, underscoring its status as one of the nation’s most beloved treats. Held at Union Square Park on Capitol Hill, this year’s celebration featured ice cream and frozen dairy desserts made with real milk and without certified artificial colors, consistent with the IDFA Ice Cream Commitment. The voluntary, industry-led commitment brings together U.S. ice cream makers working to eliminate certified artificial colors from ice cream products made with real milk and sold at retail by the end of 2027. Recent consumer research by IDFA and Morning Consult shows that while flavor remains the top driver of ice cream purchases, interest in ingredients and nutritional information continues to grow, showing how the industry is responding to evolving consumer preferences. “The IDFA ice cream party is a signature tradition that brings people together over one of America’s favorite dairy treats,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “This year, we are especially proud to showcase ice cream that reflects the industry’s continued commitment to real dairy, product innovation and appealing to consumers, who are increasingly focused on what goes into the foods they enjoy. America’s ice cream makers are leading with action, and this celebration is a great reminder that dairy delivers for families, communities and the economy.” Over the course of the two-hour celebration, guests enjoyed: 6,000 cups of ice cream 1,200 root beer floats 400 slices of ice cream cake 1,250 ice cream sandwiches and other ice cream novelties Now in its 42nd year, the IDFA Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party remains one of Washington’s most cherished bipartisan events, bringing together policymakers across the political spectrum. The event provides an opportunity for federal workers to learn more about the jobs, wages and economic contributions of the dairy industry to communities across the United States. The ice cream industry has an $11.6 billion impact on the U.S. economy, supports nearly 27,000 direct jobs, and generates $1.93 billion in direct wages, according to IDFA’s Dairy Delivers®. Dairy Delivers is an interactive, data-driven resource that shows how dairy supports jobs, wages and economic activity in every state and congressional district showing firsthand how dairy delivers for Americans and their communities. For more information about the ice cream industry, including fun facts, trends, and historical information, visit www.idfa.org/icecream.   June 10, 2026: Scoops, smiles, and bipartisan camaraderie will return to Capitol Hill this summer as the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) hosts its 42nd Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party on June 10. One of Washington’s longest-running summer traditions, the Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party draws thousands of attendees each year, including members of Congress and leaders from across the executive branch. The event celebrates America’s favorite frozen dessert while offering a rare, lighthearted opportunity for lawmakers, staff, and policy leaders to connect outside the halls of government. Guests will enjoy a broad assortment of classic and creative ice cream favorites, from rich traditional flavors to sandwiches and floats. “IDFA is proud to host an event that says thank you to the many public servants who work every day on behalf of the country,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “Ice cream has a way of cutting through divisions and creating moments of shared enjoyment. That spirit is what makes this event special year after year.”   Top 5 flavors among the general American public: Chocolate Butter Pecan Vanilla Cookies and Cream/Oreo Caramel/Salted Caramel How does this lineup compare to previous years? You can find results from the 2024, 2022 and 2019 surveys on IDFA’s website.   Responses differed when IDFA asked staff on Capitol Hill the same questions, but with more overlap in favorite flavors as compared to previous surveys. Top 5 flavors among Capitol Hill staff: Cookie Dough Cookies and Cream/Oreo Mint Chocolate Chip Coffee Peanut Butter/PB Cup When asked what flavors best describes the U.S. Congress, 46% among Capitol Hill staff picked “Rocky Road: Anything but Smooth.” Other popular responses were “Cookies n’ Cream: Greater than the Sum of its Parts” and “Banana Split: Split Down the Middle.”   IDFA Ice Cream Stats: U.S. ice cream makers contribute $11.6 billion to the U.S. economy and support 27,600 dairy industry jobs, according to IDFA’s Dairy Delivers economic impact report. According to a 2026 IDFA survey done in partnership with Morning Consult, 97% of Americans love or like ice cream. In that same survey, Americans shared their top five ice cream flavors: chocolate (38%), vanilla (25%), cookies and cream (23%), caramel / salted caramel (22%), chocolate chip (22%), and cookie dough (21%). In a survey of U.S. Capitol Hill staffers, when asked what flavors best describes the U.S. Congress, 45.9% of respondents picked “Rocky Road: Anything but Smooth.” Other popular responses were “Banana Split: Split Down the Middle” and “Cookies n’ Cream: Greater than the Sum of its Parts.” The average American eats roughly 18 pounds of ice cream each year, or about 4 gallons. Sweet and savory bakery-inspired flavors and inclusions delighted judges at the 2025 IDFA Innovative Ice Cream Contests. Fortune Business Insights estimates the global ice cream market will reach $151.96 billion in 2034, up from $82.70 billion in 2025—a 82% jump in less than a decade due to the world’s craving for ice cream. The majority of U.S. ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturers have been in business for more than 50 years, and many are still family-owned businesses. National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 20. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Thomas Jefferson is credited as the first American to write down an ice cream recipe.   More information about ice cream is available on IDFA’s website: www.idfa.org/news-views/media-kits/ice-cream. ...read more read less