San Diego Gluten-Free Food Expo
November 12, 2011
http://sdgfexpo.com/
Facebook page: San Diego Gluten Free Food Expo
Approximately 1,500 people attended the Expo on the very rainy Saturday, November 12. It exceeded our hopes in so many ways. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped make it happen, and the wonderful, generous vendors whose food was so yummy! Please thank the vendors when you visit their establishments! The biggest problem was the crowds. If there is a next time, it will probably need to be a bigger venue.
The Expo raised awareness of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity in SD, and will continue to do so.
The publicity for the Expo (in newspapers, on four different TV stations, radio, newsletters, fliers, etc.) helped educate and make the public more aware about these conditions. The money collected from the Expo will continue this cause by providing funding for the education and awareness programs at the Warren Center - right here in our SD community.
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Lots of vendors, attendees, raffle prizes, and hours of planning by volunteers!
The Expo Planning Board
Front row, from left:
Becky MacGregor, Misty Faulkner, Susan Jarrold, Carol Salvati
Second row, from left: Michele Vargas, Jenn Michaels, Erica Welker, Roxie Johnson, Germaine Schwider.
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| Germaine Schwider, Co-Chair of the Expo, gives a wrap-up presentation to the San Diego CSA group at the January 28, 2012 meeting. |
Jan Pruitt, San Diego CSA facilitator, presents a check to Dr. Martin Kagnoff of the Warren Celiac Center. The check, for $13,929.45, will be used towards the Center's community celiac education and awareness programs. |
Many more photos of the Expo can be seen at http://sdgfexpo.com/gallery.
If you have suggestions for a future possible Expo, please write to info@glutenfreeinsd.com. We'd love to hear from you. Thank you to everyone who supported this event!
Marie Fang very generously volunteered to do several videos at the Expo. Below are links to some of the vendors speaking about their products.
2Good2B Bakery and Cafe
Gemini Desserts
Mountain Mike's Pizza
Three Senses Gourmet
The Trails Neighborhood Eatery
Also see an
interview of Dr. Kagnoff at the Expo where he discusses what the Warren Center does.
The winners of the essay contest were as follows:
1st Place: Allie Goldstein
2nd Place - Patricia Wessel
3rd Place - Rachel Moore. Rachel's amusing entry was actually a YouTube video.
It was extremely difficult if not impossible to choose the winners, as everyone had such wonderful tales to tell. Some made you want to cry, and others were told with such humor. Each winner received two free passes to the Expo, as well as a gift certificate to a grocery store of their choice.
Segments about celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and the Expo were on four different TV stations the week before the Expo. The following videos are available on YouTube:
Dr. Kagnoff on Channel 6
Three different segments on KSWB Channel 5 at 2Good2B bakery: Mike Barbanti, Dr. Kagnoff and Anita Baranowski, and Karen Johnson and Mike Barbanti.
Dr. Kagnoff and Anita Baranowski on KUSI Channel 9
Dr. Kagnoff on Channel 7 NBC San Diego
Below are some of the photos taken at the TV stations and at 2Good2B.
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Dr. Kagnoff waiting for interview on Channel 6. |
Reporter Heather from Channel 5 with Mike Barbanti,
Karen Johnson, and Anita Baranowski at
the 2Good2B Bakery and Cafe. |
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Heather watching Mike prepare cookie batter. |
Heather interviewing Dr. Kagnoff. |
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Roxie Johnson, Dr. Kagnoff, Marianne Kushi
and Karen Johnson
at the Channel 7 NBC studio. |
Dr. Kagnoff waiting to be interviewed. |
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Anchor Bridget interviewing Dr. Kagnoff and Anita Baranowski at the KUSI 9 studio. |
All done! |
