Visits to Coeliac Events

LEEDS GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAIR

Our first Gluten Free event of 2012 was at the St Chads Parish Centre, Leeds on Saturday 28^th January.
This annual event is hugely popular with members of the Leeds Coeliac Group their many contacts and members of the public with an interest in gluten free nutrition.
The result was a packed hall and a highly successful day for all involved.
During the last few weeks we have been working on a new Teff cake recipe using some additional but readily available gluten free ingredients including parsnips, walnuts and maple syrup. Parsnips improve the cake texture and maple syrup adds a lingering sweetness. Walnuts provide a bit of extra character.

The Leeds GF Food Fair was an ideal opportunity to try out the new recipe as there was no shortage of volunteers to try a sample. The cake received many favourable comments and copies of the recipe were in great demand.

Our next event is the Wirral Gluten Free Food & Accommodation Fair to be held at the Civic Hall, Ellesmere Port, S
aturday 3^rd March.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE FOOD FAIR

A festive note marked the Gluten Free Food Fair at Meadows Community Centre in the City of Cambridge on Saturday 3^rd December. The long established Cambridge �Silly Yak' Group were holding their annual event for coeliacs, and for anyone else following a gluten free by choice diet.
Entry was only �1 with a wide selection of products on sale at show prices accompanied by lots of free tastings and many prizes to be won in the jumbo tombola and raffle.
There were many seasonal products on display and visitors to the Innovative stand were able to taste our very special Christmas cake. Made to our own recipe using PURE gluten free ingredients including Teff Wholemeal Flour and Innovative Solutions Gluten Free Blended Flour, the cake was highly praised. Details of this recipe and several other of our favourites can be found elsewhere on our website.
PURE gluten free ingredients used for the Christmas Cake, and in other gluten free recipes are available from Innovative Solutions for delivery to your home address, or to a local pharmacy when they are prescribed by your GP or pharmacist.

CUMBRIA FOOD FAIR

Rheged near Penrith is the international award winning Lake District Visitor Centre . It is also Europe's largest grass covered building, designed to resemble a Lakeland hill. The Centre is home for many local crafts and products, boasts a large 3D cinema screen and is always a popular venue for special events.

On Saturday 5^th November Innovative Solutions joined 50 other exhibitors at the Gluten Free Food Fayre organised by the Cumbria Group of Coeliac UK.

The event drew over 1500 visitors from the North of England and from Scotland. Interest in gluten free baking continues to expand among diagnosed coeliacs and their families, and also among a growing number who follow a gluten free diet by choice.

Visitors to the Innovative stand at gluten free events are always welcome to purchase PURE gluten free baking ingredients at special show prices and also have the opportunity to get help and advice. We offer recipes and a chance to taste products made using our own PURE ingredients.

Our next event is the Bath Gluten Free Food Fair at the Melksham Assembly Hall, Wiltshire starting at 10.30am on Saturday 12^th November.

HEREFORD FOOD FAIR

We love Hereford. It is a beautiful Cathedral City on the banks of the River Wye and lies in a county renowned for its unspoilt countryside and historic villages. Hereford is the home of the Herefordshire Coeliac Group, our hosts at their annual Gluten Free Food Fair on Saturday 29^th October. Herefordshire can also boast a high proportion of enthusiastic home bakers. The Innovative stand was kept busy throughout the day discussing recipes and ingredients and providing solutions for an unending stream of visitors. Clearly, home baking is a very popular activity in this part of the world and sales of our PURE Teff Wholemeal Flour exceeded all expectations. It was in great demand for use as the key ingredient in our classic Christmas Cake recipe. Highly nutritious and with a sweet nutty flavour, Teff is growing in popularity as a gluten free ingredient and is a great seasonal favourite at this time of year. Next weekend we are at the amazing Rheged Centre, Penrith, at the Cumbrian Coeliac Group Food Fair from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Saturday 5^th November.

FENLAND GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAIR

Our Innovative Solutions stand was out and about again at the weekend. The destination on this occasion was the Regional College at Peterborough on Saturday 15th October by invitation of the Fenland Group of Coeliac UK.

In previous years this event was held at the Deafblind Centre but growing popularity forced a move to larger premises for 2011.

A large turnout of visitors were treated to an excellent selection of gluten free products from Musks famous Newmarket Sausages to Warburtons Fruity Tea Cakes and Spicy Vietnamese Sauces. All the usual suppliers were also present including Juvela, Glutafin, DS and Glebe Farm with a total of over 30 exhibitors altogether.

Despite the competition, we were kept busy by home bakers looking for all those important ingredients which are so essential in any gluten free kitchen.

The Innovative Solutions recipe booklet for home bakers wishing to experiment with our PURE Wholemeal Teff Flour was very popular and we must remember to order more copies in time for our next show which will be at the Halo Leisure Centre, Hereford Racecourse, opening at 10.30am on Saturday 29^th October.

WINCHESTER GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAIR

The Guildhall in Winchester is situated at the heart of one of England's most beautiful historic cities, a short walk from its many attractions, shops and the spectacular Cathedral.

The Guildhall made a stunning venue for the Innovative Solutions display at the Wessex Group, Coeliac UK Food Fair on Saturday 24^th September.

Once again there was an exciting range of products on display and visitors were able to learn about various aspects of ceoliac disease during presentations given by invited specialists.

Our own PURE ingredients and recipes for Teff were in great demand. Teff flour is popular because it is easy use and it is also very nutritious. Naturally gluten free Teff is a whole meal flour which contains a high level of minerals such as calcium, compared with other baking ingredients. This mineral has an essential role in a balanced diet for all ages, but is particulary important for anyone with osteoporosis, a condition generally regarded as a possible complication of ceoliac disease.

Innovative Solutions will be out and about again in 3 weeks time exhibiting some of our PURE baking ingredients at the Peterborough Gluten Free Food Fair. This event takes place on Saturday, October 15, at Peterborough Regional College, in Park Crescent, Peterborough.

HOME COUNTIES GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAYRE

An excellent food show was staged by the Home Counties Coeliac Group at the Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade on Saturday 17^th September 2011.

The event was well advertised in advance and the Innovative stand was again kept very busy throughout the day meeting new and established customers from a wide area of the Home Counties.

There was praise all round for the organisers who managed to bring together such a broad selection of specialist suppliers under one roof. Visitors were treated to a wide array of products with the opportunity to sample and taste as well as purchase assured gluten free products including some of those elusive items which are not always readily available.

Our PURE ingredients and recipes attracted a lot of attention as the baking habit continues to gather momentum amongst followers of a special diet.

ANGLIA GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAIR

There are many famous sporting venues that exist in the world today, but none can boast the history of the Rowley Mile Course at Newmarket. Named after �Old Rowley�, better known as King Charles 2^nd, the site of the course was the stamping ground for the King and his horse, also known as �Old Rowley�. It was King Charles 2^nd who first brought equine pursuits to Newmarket and the Rowley Mile was soon a course in its own right.

On Saturday 9^th July the Main Stand at the Rowley Mile was the venue for the Anglia Gluten Free Food Fair. Once again the organisers brought together various new and established exhibitors to provide lots of exciting gluten free products for sampling, and on sale to visitors. Dietitians and specialists from East Suffolk NHS and Coeliac UK were also present to offer help and advice about gluten free foods.

At the Innovative Solutions stand we had many requests for details and information about our gluten free PURE branded products, and we were able to assist diagnosed coeliacs with guidance about the range of PURE ingredients which are available on prescription.

Events like this are held throughout the UK on numerous weekends during the year. Visitors are sure to find something of particular interest and these specialist food fairs are strongly recommended for anyone newly diagnosed with coeliac disease or experiencing other food sensitivities.

A list of forthcoming events with dates and venues can be found at the Coeliac UK website:- www.coeliac.org.uk

COELIAC UK FOOD FAIR

The Innovative Solutions stand was at Derby University on Saturday 2^nd July for the Coeliac UK Food Fair. This is always an outstanding event for anyone with an interest in gluten enteropathy. This year the theme was �Good food � Good health�.

Assembled at one magnificent venue, Coeliac UK had gathered together a wide selection of suppliers and service providers to satisfy everyone of all ages, newly diagnosed to those with long experience of following a gluten free diet.The day was centred around Coeliac UK AGM and Annual Conference, supported by a comprehensive programme of dietetic clinics, cooking demonstrations and talks given by leading experts from the gluten free industry.

All our visitors agreed that the event was a great success and an annual date for the diary which we highly recommend for anyone interested in following a gluten free diet.

YORK GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAYRE

We were at York on Saturday 14^th May for another Gluten Free Food Fayre. The venue was The Bar Convent in York city centre, the oldest living convent in England. It was established as a school for Catholic girls in 1686 on the current site and the surviving Grade 1 listed Georgian building, which dates back to the 1760's, now offers a variety of award winning facilities for historians, the general public and businesses alike.

The show was an outstanding success and attracted more than 1200 visitors. Innovative Solutions joined with over 30 specialists to provide a unique opportunity for anyone looking to sample and purchase gluten free products suitable for their special dietary needs. Interest in Teff Wholemeal Flour continues to grow and our Ginger Biscuits and Chocolate Cake samples made with teff received lots of favourable comment. The unique flavour and texture of teff is a bonus not always associated with gluten free ingredients.

We were delighted to see so many established PURE customers at the show, also the large numbers of recently diagnosed coeliacs seeking help and advice about ingredients essential for baking in their own kitchen. At Innovative Solutions we are hugely enthusiastic about the benefits of home baking as a valuable learning tool for anyone whose diet is so important to their good health.

CRAWLEY GLUTEN FREE GROUP

On Saturday 12^th February we were at Crawley in West Sussex with the Crawley Gluten Free Group for our first Gluten Free Food show of 2011.This event was organised by DonTombs, assisted on the day by a willing team of volunteers.

Henry Smith, MP for Crawley was the principal guest and we had the opportunity to explain to him and the many visitors to our stand the role Innovative Solutions plays in supporting coeliac communities throughout the UK by providing assured gluten free ingredients for home baking.

Don set up the thriving CGFG 4 years ago to provide help and advice for anyone who suffers from intolerance to gluten. The Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at St Paul�s Methodist Church Community Hall and aims to increase local awareness and improve the lives of members. More information about the CGFG and their programme of events can be found at www.glutenfree-crawley.org.uk

BATH GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAIR

On Saturday 20^th November we were at the Bath Gluten Free Food Fair. Once more a new venue had been selected by the organisers. This year the location was the Assembly Hall in the central market square of the small town of Melksham, about 12 miles from the City of Bath. Lots of local gluten free products were on display, many with a seasonal flavour.

At the Innovative Solutions stand our Teff Christmas Cake was again extremely well received. Visitors continue to be enthusiastic about all of our recipes with chocolate and lemon cakes, pizza bases and pastry most popular. The Coeliac UK stand was conducting a tasting trial for unsuspecting visitors with a range of no less than 8 different brands of gluten free muesli. The list of on-shelf gluten free products continues to grow. If you've listened to anyone talk about dieting lately, you've probably heard them mention gluten-free diets. They are all the rage and not just with the coeliac community. Celebrities and sports competitors love them. Chelsea Clinton's wedding cake was baked gluten-free, and new gluten-free products are popping up all over the place. Home baking is also enjoying a resurgence and demand for our PURE ingredients continues to grow.

WEST CUMBRIA GROUP GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAYRE

We were at the West Cumbria Group Gluten Free Food Fayre Rheged Centre, Penrith on 6^th November 2010. Once again the West Cumbrian Group had organised an excellent show with lots of interest for everyone.

For 2010 Jean Foster had found a new home for this popular annual event at the famous Rheged Centre. Doors opened at 10.30am and the halls were soon crowded with visitors seeking dietary advice and gluten free products. The Centre restaurant was open business as usual and produced gluten free meals and refreshments throughout the day. It was nice to meet so many of our established users of the Innovative Solutions PURE brand ingredients as well as recently diagnosed newcomers to the coeliac community.

Our Teff Recipe guide was popular with everyone and by the end day we were forced to refer visitors to our website for recipes. Congratulations to the organisers and the cheerful army of helpers who were on hand throughout the day to ensure the event was such big success.

LEICESTER FOOD FAYRE

The Leicester Food Fayre on Saturday 30^th October at Braunstone Civic Centre attracted many visitors from the city area and beyond. There were lots of gluten free products to sample with dietary and nutrition experts available during the day to offer help and advice.

On sale at our Innovative Solutions stand we had a range of PURE gluten free baking ingredients with Teff cakes and Potato Twists available for tasting. We were also able to recommend specialist bakers who use our PURE ingredients to bake gluten free products such as special celebration cakes to order.

ANNUAL FENLAND COELIAC GROUP GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAYRE

On Saturday 16th October the Innovative Solutions stand was at the Annual Fenland Coeliac Group Gluten Free Food Fayre.

Once again this excellent event, organised by Gloria Joiner returned to the magnificent National Centre for Deafblindness in Peterborough. Most people realise that there are deaf people and equally that there are blind people, but few realise there are people who have lost both senses. The award winning Centre is unique in Europe and provides many special features making it a home from home for disabled people particularly the deafblind.

The event on Saturday was open to the public and there were over 30 stalls selling varied gluten and allergen free food products. We heard many favourable comments about the event which attracted more than 500 visitors including many children.

Our PURE Potato Twists were very popular and we answered lots of queries about our prescription service and the PURE allergen free baking ingredients we had on display.

GLUTEN FREE FOOD SHOW DURHAM

On Sunday 10th October we were at the Arniston Leisure Centre, Durham. Dietitians from the city University Hospital were the sponsors of a Gluten Free Food Show for the benefit of their coeliac patients.

This was our first visit to the Durham area and we had many first-time enquiries about Innovative Solutions. We were able to give advice to coeliacs on obtaining essential gluten free ingredients for home baking both on prescription and by home delivery. A number of our PURE ingredients were on sale and we offered samples for tasting made using some of our favourite gluten free recipes.

Other exhibitors included Dietary Card, Juvela and Asda with Dietary Science bakery demonstrations during the day.

GWYNEDD COLEIAC GROUP

We were at Bangor on Saturday 18th September at the invitation of Gwynedd Coeliac Group to talk about Gluten Free ingredients and give a demonstration of Gluten Free Baking.

Aimed at newcomers to home baking with special dietary constraints the programme was very well received. From the questions and comments made, interest in home baking continues to grow and we are pleased to part of this process.

WREXHAM GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAIR

Innovative Solutions were at the Wrexham Gluten Free Food Fair on Saturday 4^th September, promoted by Clwyd Group of Coeliac UK .

This event was held in a new venue with excellent facilities at the Catrin Finch Centre on the Glyndwr University Campus, Wrexham. The organiser Carol Carpenter had selected 30 varied companies to take part. An assorted range of products were on display from artistic hand-crafted Christmas cards to beautiful Cup Cakes from Angel Foods, Kangaroo Burgers and Venison Sausages from the Cumbria Meat Company and gluten-free beer from Belgium.

Several hundred visitors including the Mayor of Wrexham and a number of professional dietetic and nutrition specialists attended during the day. They were able to sample many varieties of bread and pastries and choose from an interesting programme of events including bakery demonstrations and a talk by Coeliac UK on the subject of labeling requirements for allergens.

Help and advice for gluten�free baking was given to numerous visitors to our Innovative stand where we had PURE baking ingredients for sale with samples and recipes on offer. Also on display were examples of several different types of gluten-free flour and starches including our PURE Teff Flour and other essential gluten-free baking ingredients that are available from Innovative Solutions through on-line sales or by prescription.

GLUTEN FREE FOOD FAIR TROON

On Saturday 20^th March 2010 we were exhibiting at a Gluten Free Food Fair held at the local Civic Hall on the beautiful Western Coast of Scotland at Troon.

This was one of the smaller events we have attended with only 8 exhibitors, but a wide variety of gluten-free products were on display ranging from bread and biscuits to muffins and cloutie dumplings

The very first event of its kind organized by the area voluntary support group, it was hugely welcomed by all of the visitors (around 350) we spoke to during the day. Many had travelled long distances and one charming lady I spoke to came from as far afield as the Western Isles.

Baking at home is a traditional and long established practice in Scotland and the advantages of opting for gluten free products from our PURE range of ingredients, and our prescription items, were well understood.

As the only supplier at the exhibition specialising in gluten free ingredients, we were very popular and received many queries and enthusiastic comments about PURE baking products, our samples and the services Innovative Solutions offers to the coeliac community.

PENRITH COELIAC EVENT

We were pleased to be at the Penrith Coeliac Event and found it to be an excellent venue, with very good attendance and lots of interest. Our Teff Ginger Biscuits were extremely popular and the recipe was in great demand (check it out on the recipe section). Teff is still the star attraction.

Several favourable comments were made about the good service provided by Innovative Solutions - 'orders well packed', 'quick response' and 'always very helpful', it is always a pleasure to meet our customers and Ian commented "Altogether a very successful day".

COELIAC UK CONVENTION

We were at the Coeliac UK Convention on Saturday 26th June, held in Scotland this year. The venue was the Napier University, Edinburgh. The show was a huge success for the organisers and very well attended, despite the many other major events taking place during the weekend.

Several hundred visitors were able to browse and sample an exciting range of gluten free products with a continuous programme of demonstrations and informative talks during the course of the day.

Once again there was a lot of interest in our teff products. Teff is a unique wholemeal flour which continues to grow in popularity as its extraordinary nutritional properties become more widely recognised. Potato twists were also a top seller to the extent that we ran out of stocks before the day was over.

We were pleased to meet many new customers including the parents of George, a brave little boy with coeliac disease and other complications, Catherine Young of Selkirk, diagnosed coeliac over 70 years ago, the most senior coeliac we have ever met and still a regular home baker, and a local SMP who promised to support more generous levels of prescription for gluten free ingredients.

FENLAND COELIAC GROUP EVENT

On Saturday 17th July we were exhibiting PURE gluten free baking ingredients at the first of two annual Fenland Coeliac Group Food Fairs, this time at Newmarket's Rowley Mile Centre.

Newmarket Racecourse, the focal point of the Sport of Kings for more than three and half centuries, is one of our favourite venues. The centre provides excellent conference facilities. It is spacious and air-conditioned and is a superb vantage point for the magnificent world famous course, the Rowley Mile, named after Old Rowley, King Charles II's favourite horse.

Always a popular fixture within the coeliac community this year was no exception and we met many newly diagnosed coeliacs of all ages as well as returning regulars.
Teff flour, gluten free recipes and the Innovative Solutions prescription service attracted the greatest interest. Our information leaflets and samples were also in high demand.