Today we’d like to introduce you to Kori Dague.
Hi Kori, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Andrew and I are incredibly passionate about serving the Food Allergy community, the vegan community and those with special dietary needs as well as providing tasty frozen treats for everyone to enjoy. We love serving the Grand Strand and visitors from all over original, homemade ice cream flavors with transparent ingredients for safer scoops without artificial dyes.
Food allergies are a life-threatening medical condition affecting 33 million Americans which equates to 1 in every 10 adults and 1 in every 13 children as reported by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education). While food allergies are continuously on the rise, awareness and safety protocols are still a major concern for diners. Reports suggest that the majority of fatal food allergy reactions are triggered by food consumed outside the home. https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics
When our son was diagnosed with food allergies as a toddler, our world was flipped upside down. Suddenly, everything we knew, everything we fed him felt like it was a potential enemy. The simplest act of staying alive became a constant worry of possible death. We realized we had a choice: to simply survive or thrive. We worked hard to cultivate a family culture of careful not fearful, but over time no matter how diligent we planned, a sense of exclusion still hovered.
As our family, experiences, and travels grew so did the types of allergies and intolerance we came in contact with. Rather at home or away, we noticed a lack of safe ice cream options available for dine in or take home due to the risk of cross contact. We understood, but we were frustrated. People deserve a great place to eat great treats safely.
In response, we chose to create coconut milk-based recipes in a dedicated kitchen free of top allergens.
We chose coconut because it offers a neutral base that is excellent for accepting all of our amazing flavor creations. Most importantly though while a coconut allergy can exist, it is considered much rarer compared to some other options. Coconut is botanically a drupe – not a nut. “The name comes from the old Portuguese word coco, meaning “head” or “skull”, after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features.” “Coconuts are classified as a fibrous one-seeded drupe. A drupe is a fruit with a hard stony covering enclosing the seed (like a peach or olive) and comes from the word drupa meaning overripe olive. A coconut, and all drupes, have three layers: the exocarp (outer layer), the mesocarp (fleshy middle layer), and the endocarp (hard, woody layer that surrounds the seed).”
in 2025, the FDA updated their guidance to remove Coconut classification as a Tree Nut.
Source: Library of Congress
Source: “Cocos L., Sp. Pl.: 1188 (1753)”. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I began by making homemade ice cream at our house in my Kitchen Aid mixer attachment. Our family and others enjoyed it which encouraged me to keep trying new flavor creations. We continued to talk with other allergy families about our frustrations with the lack of safe options in both restaurants and grocerers. The message was almost always the same in that they shared our frustration.
With the help of family, we invested in a commercial machine so I could learn to translate the recipes to a larger quantity. The machine was still small very production – only about 1.5 quarts at a time. We also originally planned to rent a small space, but struggled to find an affordable option in our area.
A business plan was developed and together we applied for financing through the SBA to purchase our current location which required extensive work to be open ready. We were one of the very few who were approved and awarded in our region.
Another initial challenge was our recipes are unique that we don’t use Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Nuts or Soy so at first some customers wouldn’t even try it because “it wasn’t traditional ice cream”. What kept us going were our allergy community members who drove from near and far, expressed their unwavering support and thankfulness. We knew there was a need. We just needed to get the product and the message out to those who needed us most. We’re also proud to offer a tasty product that not only serves the allergy and vegan communities, but is delicious so that everyone regardless of dietary needs can enjoy.
Prior to our Grand Opening on June 1, 2024, were able to purchase a larger machine, but are still small batch production – about 1 gallon at a time. Our recipes are from scratch – no pre-mix – which was something I had to create through research, trial and error. There were learning curves along the way with changing locations, machines, flavor balance, texture and humidity shifts. We continue to work daily to respond to customer feedback regarding flavor and product requests and to create both new and nostalgic experiences.
As you know, we’re big fans of No No Nuts Ice Cream LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We specialize in homemade ice cream and frozen treats that are vegan, artificial free and are free of major allergens. What sets us apart is both our recipes and facility are free of these ingredients to reduce cross contact and that our recipes are from scratch – no pre-mixes. All of our ingredients are vetted extensively before coming inside our shop.
\We want people to know that we truly care about their allergies and want to offer a place where they can enjoy tasty treats safely and feel included.
We offer Classic flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Mint Chocolate Chip along with custom Signature flavors such as Key Lime Pie, Squirrel Disco, Smores and Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake. Our son created one of our bestselling Signature flavors called Hushpuppy after requesting an ice cream that tasted like a popular cinnamon toast cereal.
Our Big and Mini ice cream sandwiches are great on the go, can be made to order and filled with any of our flavors. Our sundaes offer all of the features of a traditional treat without the worry. We make our own whip in house and top with dye free cherries. We have bags of No Whey candy for fun allergy friendly toppings, stocking or basket fillers. Options include No No’s (which are like M&M’s), Peppermint No No’s, PeaNot Cups (like Reese’s) and Chocolate Covered Pretzels.
Our latest creation is Cookie Cup Mountain which is a fun personal challenge or family sized treat with a combination of local fresh baked cookies, chocolate and sunbutter candy cups and scoops of ice cream.
We also delivery to the Grand Strand area, hosted parties at our shop and offer off-site catering for private events including birthdays, corporate, non-profit and educational events.
As a homeschool family, we’ve had the joy of hosting homeschool field trips to educate others on how we created our business, recipes and to raise awareness about food allergies and the dangers of anaphylaxis.
At the request of our customers, we are working on developing a shipping service for our customers who live outside the area.
Our long-term goal is to get our product in the hands of as many people as possible through diverse channels such as single serve options in school districts, pints and quarts in retail grocers and as dessert options in restaurants.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Kori – My favorite childhood memory is growing up in a small neighborhood surrounded by my family and close friends with the Ohio River in my backyard. Summer has always been my favorite season, and I spent many hours swimming in the pool and letting the rabbits into our garden for a snack. I was well known for talking non-stop, asking countless questions, reading many books and never had a problem pointing out an injustice. A favorite memory was a weeklong road trip traveling along Route 66 and seeing all of the quirky roadside attractions.
Andrew – My favorite memories are the car rides my family would take to go to my hockey tournaments. Sometimes it was me and my dad and sometimes it was my whole family. That was when I got to spend the most time with my parents. It always brought me inner peace to be able have my parents that close for long periods of time. Knowing my parents are there for me and in my corner has always allowed me to lock in and be laser focus on the task at hand. It all started with those car rides and I will be forever grateful for that time.
Pricing:
- Ice Cream $3-$8 Homemade Waffle Cones +$2
- Sundaes $8.50
- Cookie Sandwiches $3.50-$8
- Cookie Cup Mountain $19.99
- Pints and Quarts to Go and for Delivery $9.99-$12.99
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.nononutsicecream.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nononutsicecream/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/No-No-Nuts-Ice-Cream/61552328790460/#
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/no-no-nuts-ice-cream-north-myrtle-beach
- Other: https://www.happycow.net/reviews/no-no-nuts-ice-cream-north-myrtle-beach-411772
- Other: https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/no-no-nuts-ice-cream/6408224584105984
