From what ice cream flavors are available to how they come up with events, here’s the inside scoop on how LSU’s famous Dairy Store runs.
The Dairy Store has an assortment of snacks, meats and even beverages. Many of the products in the store are sourced from the LSU AgCenter, where students get in-field experience working with a processing plant and carry out the process of creating dairy products.
“Our team brainstorms flavor ideas based on current trends, seasonal favorites and fun campus happenings,” Dairy Store manager Nick Uzee said. “We work together to translate those ideas into delicious ice cream experiences, focusing on flavor, texture and the overall enjoyment of every scoop.”
The staple ice cream flavors available are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, chocolate chip, cookies and cream and Tigerbite, a blueberry-vanilla cream that appears gold and purple. If none of these are calling your name, it’s a ‘sherbet’ that the seasonal and pop-up flavors will.
Special drops have included Ole Miss Mud Pie to celebrate LSU’s 2024 homecoming against the Rebels, as well as King Cake for Mardi Gras and Wedding Cake for Taylor Swift’s engagement.
“The LSU Dairy Store is more than just a place to grab a scoop,” Uzee said. “It’s a living classroom, a tie to LSU’s agricultural roots and a hands-on experience where students take the lead in everything from production to marketing.”
With over 95% of customers being LSU students, the shop has become a core part of campus life. To patrons, the Dairy Store is well-known for planning events that keep South Campus Drive exciting. Some, such as petting zoos, frequently occur when the store brings out baby chicks, bunnies and more for visitors to pet.
On Friday, Sept. 26, the store threw a “Stuff Your Stanley” event, where patrons bought three ice cream scoops for $9.99 if they brought a reusable water bottle as a bowl. Though the event was supposed to run until close, the store sold out of every ice cream flavor before 3:30 p.m.
Noticing other retailers hosting similar events, communications intern Lauren Bascle pitched the idea to run the Stanley event.
“Events like these show how student-led ideas can make a big impact,” Uzee said.
While 13 student workers maintain the sales floor, three students are in charge of crafting the products sold. Through amplifying creative concepts and supporting the production process, the Dairy Store is one of the many places on campus that prioritize career readiness for student workers.
“Every time you visit, you’re not only enjoying great ice cream,” Uzee said. “You’re supporting student innovation, local agriculture and a proud campus tradition.”
At the Dairy Store, you can find an assortment of beef, pork, lamb and goat depending on what they have stocked. The store has further seasonal selections, which are cheese and eggnog for autumn.
The storefront, located at 118 S. Campus Drive, is open during the school year on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the ‘legen-dairy’ shop, visit LSU’s AgCenter.
