A Tasmanian ice cream company has teamed up with a healthcare provider to make a very different kind of dessert—one made for people in palliative care.
Van Diemens Land Creamery, based in northern Tasmania, partnered with Calvary Health to create a high-protein, nutrient-rich ice cream. It’s made for patients who have trouble eating solid food or are losing weight during end-of-life care.
You won’t see this ice cream in shops. It’s been fortified with medical-grade vitamins like D3 and B12 and is meant to be used under medical supervision. The goal: to offer comfort and nutrition in one small tub.
“It’s not about making profit,” said managing director Paul Amourgis. “It’s about giving people something they’ll actually want to eat, even at a hard time in life.”
The ice cream meets strict health standards. Dietician Stephen Hodgkinson helped make sure the formula delivers enough protein and vitamins while still being safe and enjoyable to eat.
The milk comes from an organic Jersey herd just up the road, providing a high-fat, high-protein base ideal for this special recipe.
Making this kind of ice cream wasn’t easy. The extra protein changes how it behaves during production, and the vitamins had to be added just right to meet health regulations.
Calvary says this kind of food can make a big difference for people who need care and comfort. For them, a scoop of ice cream isn’t just dessert—it’s something familiar, enjoyable, and nourishing.
The creamery hopes to expand the line for other hospitals and aged care in the future.
