Foods

Coconut cream pops Expo West

Expo West is simply the best and the largest natural foods event in the United States. Each year the event grows in exhibitors and attendees and shows no signs of slowing down. One of the trends noted this year was the surge of vegan/gluten-free products, like bread, cheese, cheesecake, cookies, frozen desserts, macaroni and cheese, salad dressings, yogurt, etc.

Here are this Examiner’s top 20 gluten, dairy, and vegan product finds:

• CoYo’s coconut milk yogurt hails from Australia and is made from coconut cream and natural flavors in four varieties: Natural, Mango, Mixed Berry, and Raw Chocolate. The berry and mango are incredibly creamy without a funny taste or texture and taste fantastic. This product debuted at Expo West 2014, but this was my first time trying it and color me impressed. Availability: In stores

• Cosmo’s Dairy-Free Spicy Ranch is thick, rich, and mildly spicy. Made from coconuts, it works as a salad dressing, dip, and sandwich spread adding a nice kick to what would be ordinary. It does contain eggs, but is soy and nut free. Availability: Online for now

• Daiya Foods, Inc. gets a nod for their new Cheezecakes and Cheezy Mac kits that are soy free and vegan. Available in three flavors, Deluxe Alfredo, Deluxe Cheddar, and Deluxe White Cheddar Veggie Medley, each kit comes with a bag of liquid cheezy sauce ready to be combined with cooked brown rice pasta.Their cheezecakes are also available in four flavors: New York, Chocolate, Key Lime, and Strawberry. Availability: Rolling into stores now

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This will be the fifth year this Examiner is attending Expo West in Anaheim, California and each year is more productive, fun, and exciting than the last. Attending as a media representative for Examiner.com means that public relations firms send information on their client’s new gluten-free products in advance. It tends to make one a little giddy, to say the least, when learning about so many new and innovative gluten-free products.

Expo West is the largest natural products expos in the United States and one of the best places to launch a natural product. Last year it saw 2,568 vendors from 102 countries and more than 65,000 attendees. That represents a lot of square footage to walk, which is how the event can be overwhelming and utterly exciting at the same time.

Here are some great tips compiled over the years to make Expo West an enjoyable experience and a productive event: Read More »

The Fresh Market has embraced the growing gluten-free products category by introducing a private label gluten-free line and by adding shelf tags for all of the gluten-free products in the store. Additionally, they have added new gluten-free items to its selection of private brand products. From baking mixes to bread crumbs, all of their gluten-free private label products are certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization.

They currently offer 25 private label gluten-free items and are working on expanding the selection: Read More »

Girl Scout Cookies…

For decades, the Girl Scouts of America has maintained a tradition of selling cookies as their annual fundraising drive. For a few months during the year, Girl Scouts across the country can be found manning tables in front of churches, supermarkets and town halls, surrounded by boxes of wonderful cookies.

Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs. Do-di-dos, Lemonades and…Thin Mints…

So delicious. *Happy face*

So full of gluten. *Sad face*

Well, the Girl Scouts have turned that frown upside down by introducing their first gluten-free Girl Scout Cookie. And it’s Read More »

I’m a huge fan of naturally gluten-free food. It’s usually healthier, usually cheaper, and IMHO, usually tastier, too. There are so many ways to go g-free quick and easy, and I highlighted a bunch in last month’s newsletter, with tips from a variety of gluten-free bloggers.

And yet…there are so many reasons packaged foods do come in handy from time to time, whether it’s because of job demands, travel, outdoor activities that prevent easy access or you just need to have something shelf-stable and portable in the car in case of emergency.

So…in honor of Celiac Disease Awareness month in May, I put together a list of healthier options among packaged products, with an eye out towards Read More »

Regal Entertainment Group announced the addition of four gluten-free, ready-to-eat meals from GoPicnic Brands Inc. to their concession offering. GoPicnic’s gluten-free meals will now be available in more than 500 locations nationwide.

I have been a fan of GoPicnic meals for years and I am thrilled that Regal is adding Read More »

Courtesy: Jennifer Harris

This being my second year attending Expo West as media, I was really psyched to see all of the gluten-free products on display and to meet with some of my favorite companies. The event never disappoints and this year kudos goes out to the staff Read More »

Millet has been used as food for thousands of years.

Millets – Important Food Source Worldwide:

Bird Food or People Food?: Read More »

There was definitely a lot to take in at Expo West in Anaheim, CA. This year’s event saw record attendance of 63,000 industry members and 2,428 exhibiting companies. Needless to say, that is a lot of ground to cover in three days, but I did my best.

I thought this year I would let you know about my favorite products found at the event, and then follow up with a more thorough article of all of the notable gluten-free products. Here are my top gluten-free picks in alphabetical order: Read More »