Vibrant colors, flavors, and shapes bring a “dreamy twist” to Long Beach-based vegan dessert brand Dreamy Vegan, whose plant-based treats invoke a sense of nostalgia.
Tanisha Pitts, founder of Dreamy Vegan, said the creation of Dreamy Vegan started with inspiration from her family.
“My great-grandmother, as well as my great uncles and great-grandfather, used to make ice cream from scratch since I was a kid,” Pitts told the Signal Tribune.
She was also driven by her own experience growing up with asthma, allergies and eczema, and wanted to create a healthier alternative for people sensitive to ingredients in traditional ice cream.
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“[It’s] just a healthier alternative to ice cream that tastes just as good as regular ice cream,” she said.
Dreamy Vegan doesn’t operate with a storefront; instead, residents can find the frozen treats at pop-ups and events throughout the Long Beach area and beyond. Currently, Pitts is looking for a new place to permanently host Dreamy Vegan’s mini freezer, which she can keep regularly stocked.
Dreamy Vegan’s popsicles are inspired by classic ice cream truck favorites that bring about a sense of nostalgia. Their most popular product, Strawberry Dreamcake, is a heart-shaped version of strawberry shortcake ice cream bars, featuring a cookie crumble and strawberry flavoring.
The frozen desserts are made with plant-based ingredients, including fresh fruit and coconut cream.
“I wanted to take that product and create it into a healthier alternative for individuals who have food sensitivities or food allergies, or are vegan,” she said.
While popsicles are the main product served up by Dreamy Vegan, Pitts said her brand is expanding to include characters that will take on the task of serving as both brand mascots and nutritional educators for children.
Dream Rocket is a character inspired after Pitts herself, according to posts from Dreamy Vegan’s Instagram. The character lives with eczema and allergies, like Pitts. Her counterpart CocoBuddy is a coconut teddy bear “with a heart full of dreams and endless wisdom.”
Pitts said in an Instagram post that the goal of the mascots, and their connection to Dreamy Vegan, is “to build a whole world where kids feel powerful, imaginative, included, and celebrated — especially the ones with sniffles, quirks, or food restrictions.”
Outside of the Dreamy Vegan world, Pitts works full-time in higher education at the California State University office of the chancellor, working in student success. She was recently accepted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Dreamy Vegan can be found at events throughout Long Beach. Follow @dreamyvegan on Instagram to find out where they’ll be popping up next. Orders can also be placed by messaging them via Instagram.
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