A Flavorful Pivot: How Enna Gelato Mastered Mobile Delivery with Coldtainer
When Shannon Bates, owner of Enna Gelato, decided to bring her hand-crafted, small-batch gelato to events across Vermont, she faced a cooling challenge as sophisticated as her flavors. Based in Montpelier, Enna is known for “electric” culinary creativity, spinning flavors like pistachio, rosewater, and lemon-ginger. However, the journey from shop to street required a mobile solution that wouldn’t compromise the delicate texture of a product meant to be eaten fresh.
A Resilience Story
Shannon’s journey with Enna Gelato began as a story of community resilience. She purchased the gelato portion of her business from the original family owners of Chill Vermont Gelato after a catastrophic flood in 2023. While the original shop chose not to reopen, Shannon—a Culinary Institute of America graduate with decades of global experience—saved the equipment that had been untouched by the water. She integrated the “downtown gelato tradition” into her globally-inspired deli, Enna.
The Search for the Perfect Fit
To expand into the event market, Shannon needed more than just a cooler. She researched her options extensively, wanting to avoid the massive overhead and logistical burden of purchasing a dedicated freezer van with expensive custom liners.
She discovered the Coldtainerunit, a solution that allowed her to use her existing vehicle while maintaining professional-grade freezing. The Coldtainer met her specific capacity needs, fitting 26 tubs of gelato comfortably in a single trip. Furthermore, the unit’s autonomous capabilities were perfect for her needs. Because Coldtainer units meet the rigorous Massachusetts laws for the transport of temperature-sensitive items, Shannon knew the unit could maintain the strict -18°C (0°F) required to keep gelato perfectly dense and smooth during long treks to Stowe or local farmers’ markets.
A Partner in Precision
For Shannon, the technology was only half the battle; she needed a partner to help with the execution. She found that partner in John Bates ofThermo King Northeast.
“Coldtainer is absolutely perfect for my business,” says Shannon Bates. “It gives us the freedom to be mobile without the huge expense of a specialized truck. Most importantly, it keeps the gelato at that exact, consistent temperature it needs so our customers get the same quality at an outdoor event that they get at our counter on State Street.”
John Bates was equally impressed by the collaboration:
“It was a pleasure working with Shannon as a customer; she knew exactly what her product required to stay fresh. Installing the Coldtainer unit is incredibly straightforward because of its ‘plug-and-play’ design, and seeing it enable a local business like Enna to grow after everything they’ve been through with the flooding is why we do what we do.”
Delivering Excellence
Today, Enna Gelato’s mobile cart—shipped directly from Torino, Italy—is a staple at the Barre Farmer’s Market and events throughout the region. Thanks to Coldtainer and Thermo King Northeast, Shannon can focus on what she does best: experimenting with curry spices and local basil to create the best gelato in Vermont, confident that it will stay frozen and fresh every mile of the way.
