Who says the world isn’t becoming a better place every day?

Today, we write to report on the 100+ year old Long Island Lewis-Oliver Farm. Founded sometime around 1890 as a dairy farm, the owner retired in 1953 and turned the farm into a petting zoo. For decades it remained one, but when, ten years ago, the owner sold the farm, the town of Huntington and Northport Village ― led by local resident Pamela Veitch ― co-purchased the farm to ensure its residents well-being and continued happiness.

Together, the community created Friends of the Farm, a 501c-3 nonprofit staffed entirely by volunteers. Since then, the Farm has become a sanctuary, rescuing animals from livestock farms and other abusive circumstances.

In October 2014, the Farm began a new phase with the launch of cruelty-free, vegan ice cream label Sweet Annabelle’s. Lorene Eriksen, a Friends of the Farm volunteer, is in charge, running the bakery that produces an array of vegan snacks and coconut milk ice cream treats. “It is our wish that animals everywhere can live a life free from harm just as Annabelle and her friends do. And that as more and more cruelty-free alternatives become available, people will come to discover that compassion and the opportunity to enjoy delicious-tasting food need never be mutually exclusive,” Lorene has written on her website.

For those craving a tasty treat, note that the farm is currently set aside for the animals and is not serving the (vegan) ice cream. For those craving culinary decadence, try Barton@Home on Main Street in Northport or Batata Cafe just up the road from the farm.

This on top of the great news, covered recently by IDA, that Ben & Jerry’s ― yes, that Ben & Jerry’s ― is launching a vegan line of “frozen desserts,” and it’s clear we’re moving in the right direction.

Still, much remains to be done. The powerful meat and dairy industries, for example, are still woefully behind the times.

If you have not already, please take a moment to submit our letter asking Hershey’s to offer a dairy-free kiss.