If you are like I am, you have noticed an increase in gluten-free products everywhere from menus in restaurants to cereal boxes on grocery store shelves. Unless you have been told to follow a gluten-free diet by your doctor, or chosen to cut gluten out of your diet yourself for personal reasons, you might be wondering why the sudden surge in gluten free products. Celiac disease and gluten intolerances are on the rise, therefore more and more people are looking for gluten free options. There is an abundance of choices out there for people looking for gluten-free options however, they can be hard to find and expensive to buy. And how do you know if they even taste good?
Hello Gluten-Free Garage! A pop-up farmer's market type event with over 50 local vendors and guest speakers. Even the food trucks Gluten-Free Bitches and Hero Burger will be there! The event was started by RonniLyn Pustil whose daughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease 4 years ago. RonniLyn learned quickly that 1 in 133 Canadians are diagnosed with Celiac Disease. After discovering many amazing bakeries, restaurants and companies making gluten free food, RonniLyn wanted to share her finds with others. Gluten Free Garage is a “safe space” says RonniLyn. Families can come to the event and not worry about being “glutened.” There will be tons of show specials and sampling, and with gluten-free food being expensive you do not want to always buy an entire package of something before knowing if you like it.
From baked goods, to pasta and snacks the products at Gluten-Free Garage will be eclectic. In addition to the amazing selection of products available there will be five fantastic speakers focusing on living a gluten-free life. To make the event even more fun The Children’s Art Studio at the Wychwood Barns will be hosting a free art activity suitable for kids 4-8 years old. Parents are invited to drop their children off for 30 minutes or so while they peruse the vendors or hear the guest speakers.
A personal favourite vendor of mine is Antipastos Kitchen. A company that was asked by its customers to make their delicious pastas gluten free created a blend of gluten-free flours that gives the taste and flavour of authentic Italian noodles. Antipastos Kitchen offers products that are vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free as many people with Celiac disease and gluten intolerances have cross sensitivities. Their pastas are truly delicious and indistinguishable from “real” pasta, making it an easy choice the entire family can enjoy together. My favourite is their dairy -ree butternut squash ravioli.
If you or someone you know follows a gluten free diet then Gluten Free Garage is the perfect place for you to go this Sunday. And with May being Celiac Awareness Month it has never been a better time to learn about all things Celiac and gluten-free.
Gluten-free Garage, The Sequel will take place this Sunday April 28 at Artscape Wychwood Barns (in the Covered Street Barn) 601 Christie Street (just south of St. Clair), Toronto, 10 am–4 pm.
Admission: $10 for adults, kids 12 and under get in for free. Tickets available at the door only.
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