An Inside Look at Mompops - A Popsicle for Everyone

Founded after a retired teacher and health-seeking mom wanted to offer a better popsicle for children, Sandy Ostrander teamed up with her son Issa and Mompops was born. The team at Mompops is determined to set a higher standard for frozen desserts, offering a healthier sweet treat to even those with dietary limitations.

Sandy says she loves her job because it answers the question: “Wouldn't it be great if there was an ice pop that was actually good for you?”

Handcrafted in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Mompops are arguably the healthiest frozen treat on the market. Each pop is 1 ounce, contains about 4 grams of sugar, 19 calories and 4 carbs, and made with fruit puree, not fruit juice and no artificial flavoring. The only other ingredients are agave and coconut milk (in select flavors).

“You can have it all”, says Issa Ostrander, co-founder of Mompops.

One could say Mompops are made for people with allergies, as they are free of gluten, dairy, soy and peanuts. They are also vegan, kosher and non-GMO.

“As more and more people become diagnosed with food allergies it gets harder to find companies that are transparent and dedicated their life to helping them. I knew if I was going to make a food product I wanted to make it for everyone to enjoy, not just parts of the population”, says Issa.

On a tour of the factory, I saw for myself how the pops are handmade with fruit puree and poured with love by the “Mom of Pops” herself.

The fruit puree is mixed with an industrial immersion blender

Next, poured by Sandy, the "Mom of Pops" into specialty 1 oz molds. 

Flash frozen in 7 minutes for highest quality.

Issa showed us how quick the process is. 

Lastly they are packaged on a conveyor for our convenience.

Everyone loved the pops!

The fruit puree is blended with a handheld - supersized immersion blender, then poured into special 1 oz molds, then flash frozen for freshness. The pops are released from the mold and then hand placed on the conveyer belt for packaging. The team produces about 2,000 pops an hour and each pop takes just 7 minutes to flash freeze. Sounds easy, but Issa has spent years perfecting the process from the machinery used to improve production, to the recipes of each flavor.

I was blown away by the flavor of each pop, especially my favorite, pineapple basil. I was pleasantly surprised, that less sugar, doesn’t mean less flavor when you are using whole fruits and not artificial flavoring. Pops come in several traditional and original flavors; Banana Raspberry, Pineapple Basil, Strawberry Lemonade, Orange Coconut, Chocolate Sea Salt and Mango. The team put a lot of thought behind the size of the pop. They are small enough that you can have two with no guilt and and not worry about them melting down your hand in the summer heat.

Pineapple Basil

The team at Mompops are as authentic as they come. Each individual has a passion for the product and cares about the customers they serve.

Since 2010 Mompops has grown from a small town company into a brand served at day camps, outdoor festivals, and in major retailers like Whole Foods Market, and continues to grow. Their facility is now GMP certified, holding their production to the highest industry standards. “Knowing that I'm helping mothers and fathers teach their kids that good food can taste just as good as all those sugary snacks makes me strive harder and harder to keep building this business,” says Issa.

For CEO, Stephanie Cohen, having healthy options hits home, “I have been exposed to so much disease and illness over the years with my friends and family. My nephew was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 3.  Life for him and his parents was turned upside down and inside out. They do all they can to manage his levels but also don't want him to be singled out and not be able to enjoy the things that his brother and friends can. Being part of a company who has a product that not only tastes great and is healthy but can make one choice just a little bit easier for families or an individual who have special dietary needs makes it that much more rewarding".

No matter your age, or allergy, if you are looking for a frozen treat, Mompops are a delicious but healthy one!

Go ahead and try one from any of the locations listed here, and print a coupon here.

Special thanks to Issa, Sandy and Stephanie for the tour!
This post was not sponsored by Mompops. All the opinions in this article are my own.

 For more articles like this one follow me on Facebook and Instagram!