Update: Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event -August 17, 2013

As promised I have an update on the Gluten Free Expo that is coming to Durham on August 17, 2013.  I received  more details from the coordinator of the event, that will be helpful for your planning purposes:

Raleigh/Durham Welcomes

Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event

Many of the hottest and newest gluten-free foods, including products from more than 20 local vendors, will fill the exhibit hall at the Durham Convention Center in Marriott Center City on Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event. 

Organized by ECHO Event Solutions (ECHO), the event is sponsored by Udi’s Gluten Free, Glutino Food Group, Enjoy Life Foods, Bone Suckin’ Sauce, Earth Family, Gluten-Free Buyer’s Guide and Earth Fare.  This is the second year for the gluten-free event in Raleigh/Durham, and a crowd of more than 1,000 is expected to attend. 

The event is open to the community, and it caters to those who avoid multiple allergens, such as gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, grains, etc.  Admission is $10 per adult; kids 13 and under are free, and college students receive $3 off admission with student identification.  Those who purchase their tickets online are automatically entered into a drawing for a gift basket from one of the event’s sponsors.

Sampling of gluten-free/allergen-free foods begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. with guest speakers and cooking demonstrations rounding out the day. Products will also be available for sale, so attendees should come prepared to take advantage of show prices.

The event features lectures from Brandy Wendler, Lisa Stimmer, Certified Gluten Practioner, Certified Natural Gourmet Chef, Certified Nutritionist, Wendy Perry, Taylor Miller, owner of Glutenway blog, and Debbie Jongkind, Registered Dietitian.

Cooking demonstrations are still being scheduled, but one will be taught by Chef Tracey Bloom of FreeCuisine,

2013 vendors from the Raleigh/Durham area include but are not limited to: Bells Monica Flatbread Company, Bone Suckin’ Sauce, Ginger Lemon Girl, Kalo Foods, The Celiac Cakery, Tonya’s Cookie Company, and Virtuous Living.

National vendors attending the event include but are not limited to: Against the Grain Gourmet, Bakery on Main, Earth Balance, Kinnikinnick Foods, Living Without Magazine, Luce’s Gluten-Free Artisan Bread, New Planet Beer, and Simply Gluten Free Magazine.  A complete list of participating vendors can be found on their website. 

A percentage of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to local gluten and allergen-free support efforts.  The 2013 Raleigh/Durham Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event will be held at the Durham Convention Center.  For more information visit the website at http://raleighglutenfreeexpo.blogspot.com/, or for directions to the event contact the  Durham Convention Center at 919-956-9404.

Would you like to go to the event for free?

Volunteers Needed: Local Raleigh/Durham folks needed to post flyers/posters around town prior to the event on Saturday August 17th.

Volunteers needed for the day of event - Saturday, August 17th.
Times slots 8am-1pm, 9-2pm, and 1-5pm.  Volunteer positions include:
set-up, greeters, registration and clean up crew.
Please email your information (email and phone number) directly to
Beth Mincher  at  emincher@yahoo.com if you are interested in volunteering.

Volunteers receive:  free parking, free admission to the event (and plenty of time to walk around to visit vendors) as well as a goody bag with tons of gluten free goodies!