GFGS Community Calendar: Tastes of fall 2017

Autumn offers great opportunities for New Jersey’s gluten-free community to sample and socialize with multiple food expositions happening in the region. Education and information are provided, along with the introductions of new food products. Mark your calendars!

Saturday, Sept. 9: Empowering Our Gluten Free Kids: Managing the Social Challenges of Growing Up gluten-Free, 10 am-12 pm, at Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley (250 Old Hook Rd.) in Westwood. Hosted by Generation GF NorthernNew Jersey, a Gluten Intolerance Group program for children and their families, the event offers fun activities for kids, as well as opportunities for children to discuss their feelings about the gluten-free lifestyle. A licensed clinical social worker will lead the discussion, and food samples will be available. Email GenerationGF.NorthernNJ@gluten.org to register.

Sunday, Sept. 10: SouthJersey Celiacs, Chapter 9 of the National Celiac Association, Meeting, 2 pm, at Virtua Memorial Health Center (401 Young Ave.) in Moorestown. The support group meets monthly in Conference rooms 155A and 155B, and welcomes new members. This month kicks of a new year for the chapter and officers will collect annual dues.

Saturday, Sept. 16: Gluten Free Festival, 11 am-3 pm, at ShopRite of Medford (208 Route 70 East) in Medford. In honor of Celiac Awareness Day, ShopRite offers a free tasting event that showcases various gluten-free items available in the store. Retail dieticians on staff will be available for consultation.

Sunday, Oct.  1: South Jersey Celiacs, Chapter 9 of the NationalCeliac Association, Meeting, 2 pm, at Virtua Memorial Health Center (401 Young Ave.) in Moorestown. The support group meets monthly in Conference rooms 155A and 155B, and welcomes new members.

Saturday, Oct. 7: Gluten Free Halloween Party, 1-3 pm,  at The Rachel Way in Plymouth Meeting Mall (500 W. Germantown Pike), Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Hosted by The Rachel Way, a non-profit gluten and dairy free food pantry in partnership with Sweet Ladybug Baked Goods, the kid-friendly event offers an holiday fun. Children can decorate gluten-free haunted houses and cookies, make slime, do crafts and play games. Register in advance here. There is no cost to attend. However, monetary and food donations are appreciated.

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 14-15: Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (355 Plaza Dr.) in Secaucus.  It runs 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, 10 am-3 pm on Sunday. This annual event offers LOTS of food and gluten-free product samples and coupons, as well as a take-home goody bag, included with admission. Culinary demonstrations, information on where to find items in stores and educational presentations also are provided. Click here for tickets and use promocodes EARLYBIRD (30% off through Sept. 13) or ADVANCE (20% off through Oct. 13). Enter the Gluten Free Garden State raffle for a chance at a free ticket.

Saturday, Oct. 28: Gluten Free Festival, 10 am-2 pm, at ShopRite ofMarlton (307 West Route 70) in Evesham. The free, in-store festival features registered dietitians to answer questions, educational information, shopping tips and meal ideas.

Saturday, Oct. 28: The Rachel Way Gluten Free Expo, 10 am-1 pm, at The Rachel Way in Plymouth Meeting Mall (500 W. Germantown Pike), Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Hosted by The Rachel Way, a non-profit gluten and dairy free food pantry, the event offers food tasting, product sales, live cooking demonstrations, raffles, children’s activities and opportunities to meet with others in the gluten-free community and consult with dietary experts. Admission is free, but monetary and food donations are appreciated.

Saturday, Nov. 4: Kids’ Gluten Free Cooking Class, 1-3 pm,  at The Rachel Way gluten-free and dairy free food pantry in Plymouth Meeting Mall (500 W. Germantown Pike), Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Addition details TBA.

Sunday, Nov. 5: Central PA Gluten Free Expo, 12:30-5:30 pm, at The Penn Stater Conference Center (215 Innovation Blvd.), State College, Pa. More than 50 gluten-free food vendors will be in attendance. The expo also offers seminars, door prizes and samples, as well as a Wegmans cooking demonstration. VIP ticket holders gain access at 11:45 am. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Sunday, Nov. 5: SouthJersey Celiacs, Chapter 9 of the National Celiac Association, Meeting, 2 pm, at Virtua Memorial Health Center (401 Young Ave.) in Moorestown. The support group meets monthly in Conference rooms 155A and 155B, and welcomes new members. November’s meeting features a Thanksgiving covered dish social.

Saturday, Nov. 18: Gluten-Free with Dr. Anne Lee, Nutritionist, 1-3 pm, at Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley (250 Old Hook Rd.) in Westwood. The event is hosted by Generation GF Northern New Jersey, a Gluten Intolerance Group program for children and their families, and features Dr. Lee, a nutritionist at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University.  Additional details TBA.

Saturday, Dec. 2: Kids’ Gluten Free Cooking Class, 1-3 pm,  at The Rachel Way in Plymouth Meeting Mall (500 W. Germantown Pike), Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Children will create gluten-free gingerbread houses in celebration of the holiday season. The Rachel Way is a non-profit gluten-free and dairy-free food pantry.

Sunday, Dec. 3: SouthJersey Celiacs, Chapter 9 of the National Celiac Association, Meeting, 2 pm, at Virtua Memorial Health Center (401 Young Ave.) in Moorestown. The support group meets monthly in Conference rooms 155A and 155B, and welcomes new members. During December’s meeting, the group will host its annual Cookie Swap. Participants should bring recipes or store-bought packaging with their contributions. 

As a service to regular readers and the Celiac community at large, Gluten Free Garden State offers an ongoing list of upcoming events of interest. We feature local happenings, as well as regional events open to the public. The updated calendar appears on the second Saturday of each month. Links are posted to Facebook and Twitter using the hashtags #GFSked and #celiacsavethedate. Submit event listings to gfgardenstate@gmail.com