More for the gluten-free community to enjoy

The Gluten Free Garden State blog is back!

And we're getting ready to return to the annual Gluten Free Allergen Free Expo in Secaucus, Oct. 14-15. This will be our fifth year in attendance and third as an official blogger for the expo.
As a self-imposed rule, we only promote products, restaurants and events that we believe in. This expo is certainly at the top of our list of events for tasting gluten-free and allergy friendly foods and learning more about the companies that make them.

At the Meadowlands Exposition Center, the Expo features gluten-free food vendors. Typically, many offer samples of their products, while others provide coupons, discounts, and giveaways. Many items can be purchased on site too. For people just starting out on a gluten-free diet, its a great introduction to what's available in stores. Veteran celiacs and food allergy sufferers enjoy the Expo simply for its ability to provide a room full of safe foods, which is a unique experience.

Tickets should be purchased in advance through this link. Until Sept. 13, you can receive a 30% discount on Expo tickets with the promo code EARLYBIRD. Through Oct. 13, a 20% discount on tickets is available with the promo code ADVANCE.

A chance to receive a free ticket also is available through this blog.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New products, old favorites coming to NJ expo

It's that time of year again. To some, the most wonderful time of year.

I'm talking, of course, about the Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo.

This year's event will be held Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 am to 4 pm both days, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Its a whirlwind of vendors, offering samples of their wares, selling products and sending visitors off with swag. Whether your on a gluten-free diet or a diet free of the eight most common allergens, including peanuts, there's a cornucopia of options for you.
I've been to more than a few of these types of events over the past five years or so, and every one is exciting. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease in 1998, the gluten-free/allergen-free industries have come a very long way. Those who are newly diagnosed and dealing with daily frustrations will be thrilled to find an entire exposition hall full of foods they can eat. That was me at my first expo. It's still me.

According to organizers, there are many returning vendors, including Schar, Udi's, Enjoy Life, Garden Lites and Luce's Gluten Free Artisan Breads, and some newcomers, like Cheerios, WHOs Gluten Free and the Minute rice company.

My recap of last year's roster of new products can be read here. 

The two-day event also features seminars and information sessions relating to gluten-free or allergen-free diets, as well as celiac disease. (And during last year's event, there was even a marriage proposal!)

To buy tickets or learn more about the expo, visit the organizers website: www.gfafexpo.com

Through Sept. 2, the expo is offering 30% off tickets. But first, try for a free ticket by entering the Gluten Free Garden State raffle:

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Paradise with a gluten-free bun

Image/Cheeseburger in Paradise

Cheeseburger in Paradise, the small chain of burger joints owned by musician Jimmy Buffett, announced yesterday a new "gluten-friendly" menu. And, yes, it includes buns!

A word of caution: The restaurants, including its Secaucus location, are not certified as "gluten-free" by any of the organizations that do so. The menu states that the company is taking "careful precautions" to maintain the gluten-free nature of the ingredients it uses and that the chefs and managers strive to avoid exposure to potential "allergens," it does cannot guarantee there won't be cross-contamination and suggests customers use their own judgement in consuming products. If you're comfortable with that, read on ...

GFGS Community Calendar: January 2015

As a service to our regular readers and the Celiac community at large, Gluten Free Garden State has started an ongoing list of upcoming events of interest. We will feature local happenings, as well as national events open to the public. The calendar will appear on the second Sunday of each month. Links will be posted to Facebook and Twitter using the hashtages #2ndSundaySked and #savetheceliacdate.

Enjoy!

In the Garden State

Sunday, Feb. 8: CSA (Celiac Sprue Association) Southern New Jersey Chapter #9 meeting, 2 p.m. at Hope Church, 700 Cooper Rd., Voorhees. New members welcome. Visit the group's website for more information.

Joining us at the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo?

I'm doing a happy dance, and you soon may be too.

I'm thrilled to announce being named an official blogger for next month's Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in the Meadowlands. I had a blast at last year's event, and feel honored to be blogging about it for the second time.

Although my reports may help you be part of the action, wouldn't you just love to attend the Expo for yourself? That's where this blog may be able to help.

We're giving tickets away!

Just visting

The previous post focused on vendors from the Garden State who participated in the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo, earlier this month in Secaucus. However, a few out-of-towners caught our eye too.

The following vendors are highlighted for two reasons. 1) The products are genuinely good. Some I've even purchased at my local grocery store since sampling them at the Expo. 2) The people were interesting, friendly and seemingly honest.

Cook Simple

Photo/Gluten Free Garden State

Representin' Jersey

I was fortunate to meet many great people at the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in Secaucus, earlier this month. Some were homegrown entrepreneurs. Others came from great distances. All were friendly, informative and offered tastes of delicious gluten-free foods.

The first part of this round-up focuses on the products and people of New Jersey. The second, coming tomorrow, showcases some of those from out of town. 

Schar

Photos/Gluten Free Garden State

Expo Hangover, Part 1

The first day of the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo is in the books, and it was a fabulous one.

Sure, my feet are aching from circling the Expo floor multiple times and I ate way too many samples. But, I met interesting people, was excited by some new gluten-free products and learned a thing or two in the classroom.

My day started off with other bloggers, and it was fun to see people in person who I had only "met" previously through social media. We all were treated to an introduction to Holy Crap cereal before the doors even opened to the public.

One of the first things I did once the Expo started was hit the beer garden. It was less about my love for beer and more about the fact that it was at the back of the convention floor and completely devoid of other people. I got to easily talk to the vendors and sample the wares.

Yes, I was throwing back beer at 9:15 a.m. So, what?! It was for research purposes. You'll thank me later.

Make a date for the Expo

Art/KoinoniaAcademy.org

Ok, who wants free tickets to the Gluten & Allergy Free Expo, coming to Secaucus next weekend?

We'll be drawing a name at random from interested readers/fans of this blog, courtesy of expo organizers. This fabulous event runs Saturday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Meadowlands Expo Center. The tickets are good for one day, which will be determined by the winner.


How will we know you want to go?

1. You tell us, in a comment to this post.
AND
2. You "like the GFAF Expo page on Facebook and/or follow the Expo on Twitter.

While you're at it, please vote in our poll on the top left of this blog. (Although not a contest requirement, we would really appreciate it.) You can also find Gluten Free Garden State on Facebook (www.facebook.com/glutenfreegardenstate) and Twitter (@gfgardenstate).

The contest is open until 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Good luck!

Live at the Expo!

I'm excited to announce that Gluten Free Garden State will be an Official Expo Blogger for the upcoming Gluten & Allergy Free Expo on Sept. 7-8 in Secaucus.

It's a fantastic opportunity for us, and we're excited to use it for bringing more information to you.

I'm really looking forward to this event. I love the idea of entering a large convention hall and not being limited in what I can eat. It's an experience that celiacs and people with severe food allergies don't get to have often. This type of event tends to make me giddy, and come away hopeful and inspired.

I'll be Tweeting live from the Expo, using #GFAFEXPO. On Twitter, you can follow us @GFGardenState and the Expo @gfafexpo.

EXPOsing New Jersey to a gluten free world

That little shriek of excitement you heard was me hearing about a big celiac-friendly event coming to the Garden State next month.

The Gluten & Allergen Free Expo is scheduled to run Sept. 7-8 at the Meadowlands Expo Center. According to its organizers, it will feature more than 150 vendors offering free samples and/or products for sale, as well as classes and swag.

Did I mention there are samples?