I should have known from the beginning that this year's Appetite for Awareness, on October 24, was going to be different. When I pulled up to the gates of the Cruise Terminal in Philly's Navy Yard, the security guard asked, "Celiac?" then pointed the way. Every few yards, there were signs of encouragement. I mean, literally, signs of encouragement: big, bright signs that said, "Dig in!" and "You can eat it all!"
Some 1600 people attended Appetite for Awareness: A Gluten-Free Cooking Spree, which was presented by the National Center for Celiac Awareness. Over 50 vendors were set up throughout the cavernous terminal, plying us (in a good way) with samples, coupons and information. Nineteen local restaurants or caterers were on hand, also handing out delicious samples.
Appetite for Awareness (A4A) had a Children's Pavillion for the first time this year, with a moon bounce, face painting and other games and fun for the little ones. It was there that I first encountered what turned out to be my favorite food of the whole event: Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery's PB&J sandwiches. I haven't had a real, untoasted PB&J for eight years; I had forgotten how much I loved them until A4A. Amie Valpone, a culinary Nutrition Consultant, was working the PB&J table, where Rudi's was generously giving away whole loaves of their awesome bread. Check out Amie's blog, The Healthy Apple, for more from the event.
Stay tuned for more on Appetite for Awareness this week!
Comments
Viva La PB&J! Thanks for giving our new gluten-free breads a try at this year's A4A, Trish! We're so happy that you were able to finally enjoy a childhood classic again - untoasted!
-Paula, on behalf of Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery
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