July has been National Ice Cream Month since President Reagan signed Proclamation 5219 on July 9, 1984, according to the National Archives. Forty-two years later, late July is peak summer in Sacramento and the inland Bay Area, and a cold treat at work gets plenty of attention.
A ColdSnap machine lets an office serve ice cream, smoothies and frozen lattes one cup at a time, with no freezer full of tubs and no scoop to wash. Here is how it works and where it fits.
How the ColdSnap machine works
ColdSnap is a countertop appliance. An employee picks a pod, places it in the machine and closes the lid. The machine chills and churns the contents, and in about two minutes the treat is ready, according to ColdSnap.
The pods are what make it practical. ColdSnap says its shelf-stable pods eliminate the need for cold storage. The Boston Globe reported in 2025 that the slim, recyclable aluminum pods are shelf-stable for six to nine months, and that the treat never touches the machine.
PVS describes ColdSnap on our office pantry page as a way to serve fresh, premium treats in just two minutes from shelf-stable pods. The treats are made with real milk, cream and fruit, using ColdSnap’s proprietary freezing technology.
What a ColdSnap machine makes
ColdSnap’s lineup includes:
- Premium ice cream
- Frozen smoothies
- Snappuccino frozen lattes
- Frozen protein shakes
- Non-dairy options
That range matters at work. The person who wants a frozen latte at 2 p.m. and the person who wants a protein shake after a lunchtime workout can use the same machine. Because every treat is made one serving at a time, people pick their own flavor and nobody has to finish a carton.
Where ColdSnap fits in an office program
ColdSnap works best as part of a larger refreshment program. PVS offers it with office pantry service, where the company provides snacks, drinks and fresh food in the break room as a free perk for employees. It can also be added to a micro market.
Some ways offices put it to use:
- Summer perk: treats on hot afternoons through July and August
- Team celebrations: birthdays, milestones and end-of-quarter wins without ordering a cake
- Balanced options: protein shakes and smoothies next to indulgent ice cream flavors
- In-office days: a small reason to look forward to the days the whole team comes in
If you are building out a summer lineup, ColdSnap pairs well with the cold drinks in our guide to must-have summer beverages for the break room.
Practical questions about space, power and cleaning
How much space does it need?
The Boston Globe described the machine as a little more than 11 inches wide, 17 inches tall and 19 inches deep, weighing 73 pounds. Plan for a sturdy counter with some clearance, plus room nearby for cups, spoons and a recycling bin.
What about power?
The same report says it runs on a standard 120-volt outlet with no special setup. Placing it next to an existing outlet in the break room avoids extension cords across the counter.
How is it cleaned?
ColdSnap says there are no food contact surfaces and no cleaning required. Day to day, that leaves wiping the counter and emptying the recycling.
Where do the pods go?
Because the pods are shelf-stable, they can sit in a cabinet or on a pantry shelf until someone wants a treat. That keeps the office freezer free for employees’ lunches.
Questions to ask before you add one
Before you bring a ColdSnap machine into the break room, think through:
- How many people will use it, and at what times of day?
- Which flavors and formats fit your team, including non-dairy?
- Who keeps pods stocked and tracks what is popular?
- Will treats be free as part of a pantry program, or part of a micro market?
The answers shape how many pods to stock and where the machine should go.
Add ColdSnap to your break room
PVS Refreshments has more than 20 years in the refreshment industry and serves offices across the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. To add ColdSnap as part of a pantry program, explore our office pantry service or call (844) 527-4800.