Local Shoppers Sweet on Southland Family's All-Natural, Frozen Dessert

A local man’s creativity in the kitchen has turned into a foray into a new small business for his father.

Greg Ehman considers himself semi-retired, but when his son dished out a sweet, frozen treat, the owner of Pride Cleaners couldn’t resist an opportunity to jump back into business.

Now just two years later, the Ehman family—of Frankfort and Mokena—is selling a frozen, all-natural, vegan treat that’s hitting the shelves in stores in Homewood and Frankfort—with more to come. The banana-based Jolly Pelican desserts have the texture of ice cream, without the additives, dairy, or calories.

“What you’re eating is basically fruit,” Greg Ehman.

Fruit is the base ingredient in each of the four flavors. ”Banana whip” takes fresh bananas, whips them into a texture that can be frozen, while still staying soft and smooth. Three of the flavors contain only four ingredients; the fourth flavor has five. The mixes use fresh bananas, agave nectar, guar bean, strawberries, and pineapples (or another fresh fruit used for flavor). Cocoa powder is used in the chocolate mixes, to keep the mix vegan.

All flavors—with the exception of the peanut butter chocolate—are non-allergenic. The peanut butter flavor also uses all-natural peanut butter.

It looks like they have a hit on their hands. Samples distributed at the Homewood Walt’s store flew off the table—and then off the shelves.

“When we were doing the sampling, as soon as people tried it, they would buy it,” said Brian Ehman.

The product is currently available at the Walt’s Homewood location, 2345 183rd St., with plans for Walt’s, 20825 S. LaGrange Rd. in Frankfort, and Berkot’s, 20005 Wolf Rd. in Mokena by the end of January.

Those who have tried the dessert and would like to see it offered in a store near them are encouraged to nudge management about Jolly Pelican.

“In the food industry, it’s a fight to get shelf space,” Greg Ehman said. “You’ve got to have something they really like.”

It’s a resounding success with sweet tooths around the Southland. Current flavors include Bananaberry, Chocolate, Bananatopia, and Sweet Banana of Mine.

“Everybody wants to eat healthy,” Brian Ehman said, “but nobody wants to give up their desserts.”

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