LeMars-based Wells Dairy has signed a 15-year contract to launch a variety of food products under the Walt Disney banner. Mike Wells, the dairy’s executive vice president, says the companies are developing and marketing kid-focused lines of Disney-branded ice cream, frozen novelties and other dairy products, like yogurt, under the long-term agreement. Wells says it’s a great opportunity for the northwest Iowa company and its employees. He says they can take their quality and reputation and package it with the “Magic of Disney” and he says they hope to take their brand to a new level.Wells says the Iowa-made products won’t be put in Disney’s theme parks, including Disneyland, Disney World and EuroDisney — at least not yet. He says the parks are under a different contract now, but he hopes as the association continues with Disney, that becomes an option.Financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed. He says national distribution is planned to increase over about three years. The products will feature an array of Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Buzz Lightyear.
