Taharka Brothers Introduce Wes Moore Inspired Ice Cream Flavor

A new frozen dessert will soon be available at Taharka Brothers ice cream parlors. The inspiration? Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

Last month, the politician floated the idea of ​​a vanilla, Berger cookie dough and peanut butter flavor on social media in response to a Ben & Jerry’s article that claimed Moore was “right” in pardoning more than 175,000 people convicted of cannabis-related offenses. But when Moore’s request went unnoticed by the ice cream giant, Taharka Brothers sprang into action.

Over the next two months, the limited-edition, pint-sized “We Want Moore” dessert is expected to be available for home delivery and at the company’s four metro-area boutiques at Cross Street, Lexington and Broadway Markets and R. House. It’s an effort by the young Baltimore brand to establish itself as a voice for social change.

“We support the idea that we want Moore’s states to follow his lead,” the company said of the governor’s June executive order in a message to The Banner.

The flavor that pays homage to the political decision is the Hampden plant’s first foray into politics. And while chief strategy officer Andrew Buerger said they’re not looking to endorse any candidate, the company is torn between wanting to champion certain causes and not “upsetting people.”

He says there will be no pints of Larry Hogan, Brandon Scott or Angela Alsobrooks and that, despite the name, it is not an offering in support of Moore’s campaign.

“We want to highlight some issues,” Buerger said. “But ice cream should not be a divisive issue.”

For years, the Taharka brothers The company struggled to make money after it split from a local nonprofit. In late 2020, the small business transformed into a worker-owned cooperative — a model that Buerger said was born out of a need to create wealth for workers most directly impacted by social and economic inequality. The majority of workers with equity stakes are Black. Early on, Buerger said, the company also made an effort to hire young people exiting the juvenile justice system.

On their website, the Taharka Brothers bill themselves as a company “owned and operated by young adults from some of Baltimore’s most troubled neighborhoods.” Buerger says the company strives to strike a lighter tone than its peer Ben & Jerry’s, which has a history of endorsing candidates and creating flavors in honor of growing social movements.

“We’re still trying to find our voice,” Buerger said. “We want what’s best for Baltimore. It’s not about politics.”

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Chief Strategy Officer Andrew Buerger’s last name.