LONG ISLAND UPDATE

Michael Thorn of the Suffolk County Celiacs recently announced the date of the third Long Island Vendor Fair: Sunday, April 16, 2009! The first and second editions were great, so mark those calendars, okay?

In the meantime, please be advised that veteran vendor Joan of Joan's GF Great Bakes (JGFGB) is slotted to appear at the Health Nuts in Bayside (211-35 26th Avenue) this Sunday, July 13, 2008 [from about Noon 'til 5].

A tip if you go to Bayside: Make sure you have the address! Don't do what I did on the day of the JGFGB grand opening in Bellmore: I drove there without the address and desperately prowled the streets of Bellmore until blogger, New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group (NYCCDMG) organizer, and homegirl Erin phoned and navigated me in.

Here she is with Joan's son Howie. In Howie's other hand is one of Joan's gluten-free faux flying saucers, made especially for this fun occasion.

















Here's Howie with Joan herself!


















Here's a cookie platter featuring Joan's gluten-free graham and chocolate chip and cow cookies. Don't be deceived by the looks of those sweet bovine bites: The cow cookies are dairy-free too!

















Not shown: Joan's bountiful bagel buffet, Joan's onion rolls, Joan's pizza, etc., etc. Everything was delicious—and it was good to see the turnout, including such luminaries as NYCCDMG assistant organizers Ben and Liz, celiac awareness pin creator Aileen Markowsky, Nassau support group leader Jim Blank of the CSA's Long Island Chapter (which is having a July 18 meeting that will also feature Joan), and Erin's mom—another homegirl! More photos can be found here.

Photos: David Marc Fischer

REMINDER: JOAN'S GF GREAT BAKES

As mentioned previously, amazing bagelmaker Joan's GF Great Bakes plans a grand opening celebration for its new facilities at 1905 A Bellmore Avenue in Bellmore, Long Island (516-804-5600) from 11am to 3pm on Sunday, June 29, 2008.

A half-mile walk or ride north of the Bellmore LIRR station, the event is on the schedules of the New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group (NYCCDMG) and the Long Island Celiac Disease Meetup (LICDM).

As you may know, Joan's bagels (now sold in plastic bags rather than hard plastic containers) come frozen and require about 22 minutes of baking. So bring coolers suitable for traveling with them or any other available products, including English muffins that are free of eggs and dairy as well as wheat. I don't know how much of Joan's stock will be available, but you probably can't go wrong showing up early.

Can't make it to the grand opening? Joan's products recently became available in New York City at Health Nuts stores in Manhattan (1208 2nd Ave
New York, 212-593-0116) and Queens (211-35 26th Avenue
Queens, 718-225-8164). She also maintains lists of her New York and non-New York retailers. And you can sometimes find Joan as a vendor at support group meetings and other events in the greater metropolitan area. Here she is at last year's Long Island Vendor Fair.


















Photo: David Marc Fischer

GLUTEN-FREE BUSINESS WATCH

Joan's GF Great Bakes seems to be charging forward on gluten-free bagel power! Makers of outstanding bagels and English muffins as well as other ready-to-bake goods including pizza, Joan's recently made inroads into Big Apple health food stores (Health Nuts at 1208 2nd Avenue in Manhattan and 211-35 26th Avenue in Queens as well as Fit Food at 23 Nelson Avenue in Staten Island), made its packaging more convenient, and opened up a new kitchen in Bellmore, New York, where it will host a Grand Opening Celebration starting at 11am on Sunday, June 29, 2008. Members of The New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group (NYCCDMG) plan to attend.

Another gluten-free pizza maker, Connecticut's Still Riding Pizza, recently got good coverage from News12 Connecticut.



Source (2:52)


Want to launch a gluten-free business of your own? The New York Times recently got a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the decision-making behind the launch of "Wicked Good Company, which makes a line of all-natural (no corn syrup and gluten free) gourmet condiments, sauces and dips."

MEANWHILE On the West Coast, Danna Korn and her soon-to-be hubby Bryan Van Noy have launched SonicBoom, a firm that consults with corporations to improve employee health. It just got a write-up from the San Diego Business Journal Online.

Thanks to Michael Thorn for the SonicBoom lead.