While living in Los Angeles during the late 80’s my routine was simple. Every Tuesday I would attend a business networking meeting.  After the meeting I would stop by a national convenience store and buy a pint of the premium brand ice cream and eat it all!  I did this every week for several months.  Although I loved ice cream, once I realized that I was lactose intolerant and I was doing harm to my body, I changed my diet and stopped eating all dairy products.  

While researching health issues, I learned that 70% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant.  While up to 100 million Americans are lactose intolerant, it’s more prevalent in certain ethnic and racial groups.  African Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans have a particularly high incidence, with somewhere between 75% and 95% of those populations affected.  A person suffering from gas, diarrhea, cramps, bloating and nausea on a regular basis might be one of millions who suffers from lactose intolerance, one of the most common digestive disorders.

I begin to experiment making my own ‘ice cream’ using soy milk and cashews.  My soy-based ice cream tasted pretty good.  I begin making it for friends and family gatherings.  In 2001, a friend invited me to be a Career Day speaker at her child’s elementary school.  Afterwords I shared my ‘ice cream’ with the children and faculty.  The children using their ‘raw’ honesty excitedly exclaimed, “Mr. Ashiki, this is the best ‘ice cream’ I’ve ever tasted”.  I knew that if the children liked it, we had a winner!

A major turning point was my dear friend and business mentor, Mr. KEN Bridges. During business trips to Atlanta KEN would visit my wife and I.  During one trip I made my soy ice cream, especially for KEN.  I knew he ate a vegan diet, but I didn’t know he didn’t eat soy!  Politely he told me thanks, but no thanks.  I thought soy was ok!  He educated me that it maybe for some people, but soy can cause health problems from mucus.  KEN told me that I had a great product idea and should pursue my vision. 

October 11, 2002 (10/11) KEN Bridges was assassinated during the Wash., D.C. sniper attacks.  After his transition I was grieving and crying and mentally not in a great space.  During this time my mind was racing and I was having a hard time sleeping, thinking about my friend.  Finally I fell a sleep and when I woke up God had given me the recipe for creating an almond based frozen treat.  So, in the spirit of KEN Bridges ‘ICE Supreme’was born! 

Ashiki’s All Natural, Inc. officially established business operations, May 1st, 2005.  Originally, I was calling the product 'All Natural Ice Cream'.  However, the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture told me that because it contains NO milk, cream or butter fat that I could not call it ice cream.  The name ICE Supreme was introduced after a friend tried it;  I asked how did he like my ‘all natural ice cream’.  His reply was, “this is not ice cream, its’ ICE Supreme”.

‘Tastes like Ice Cream…Grab a Spoon’! Unlike some health-oriented foods that consumers sometimes find the taste unappealing, one taste of ICE Supreme and you’ll want more. Almond-licious ICE Supreme™ is a revolutionary and unique nut-based frozen treat.  It contains NO animal products; NO cow milk, NO goat milk, NO eggs!  Also, NO soy, NO rice, NO processed sugar, NO gluten (GFCF) or any of the usual ingredients that make up the American frozen dessert market, yet the taste rivals that of premium brand ice cream.  It’s renowned for being great tasting, using only pure ingredients; filtered water, raw almonds, raw cashews, raw fruit, low glycemic agave nectar and crystal salt. “It’s Almond-licious”™.

ICE Supreme is positioned at the premium end of the market in terms of quality and price.  Although, nuts are more expensive, raw almonds are alkaline and excellent for heart health. 

To help create awareness about ICE Supremeweekly tasting demos are conducted at health food stores and other venues. ICE Supreme was showcased at ALIVE! Expo in Atlanta, April 29th-30th, 2006.  Approximately 750 people tasted our flagship flavors; Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Pecan.  Our on site survey revealed that 85-90% of health conscious consumers love ICE Supreme!  Since people are increasingly concerned about their health the future for ICE Supreme is phenomenal!

Today,ICE Supreme is sold primarily via health food stores and restaurants, including Whole Foods Market.  Additionally, we sell via mail order for delivery to most U.S. cities.  We’ve shipped (dry ice) to Miami, Houston, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, etc.  

Ashiki’s All Natural, Inc. will manufacture, market and sell a line of products, including ICE Supreme Sandwiches, Bars, Sorbet, etc.  Also, we will expand our manufacturing and distribution to reach multiple retail outlets nationally.