| | Latest News The Denver Post  Un-wheatable - This new Littleton-based food manufacturing company offers six gluten-free products based on whole grains, including quinoa, buckwheat and rice. Free Choice Foods also are vegan, appealing to vegans and vegetarians, as well as people with celiac disease.
Gluten Free Free Choice Foods shelf-stable entrees and side dishes, at Deby's Gluten Free, 2369 South Trenton Way, Denver, Prather's Market, 301 U.S. 285, Fairplay, and online at http://freechoicefoodsusa.com
First Gluten-Free Food Bank in the Nation  The dedication ceremony for the first gluten-free food bank was held at the House of Neighborly Service in Loveland, Colorado on December 15, 2009. Free Choice Foods was THRILLED to be among the first gluten-free food manufactures to donate products to this very worthy cause. Two cases of gluten-free entrees/side dishes were presented to Erin Becerra, Food Program Manager for inclusion in the new gluten-free food baskets.
Recipients of the gluten-free food baskets must meet food bank income guidelines and live in the Loveland area. A family of four, for example, must earn less than $32,000 per year. There is no income exception for people with celiac disease. Considering the cost of gluten-free foods, these baskets will help ease the food budgets for those in need.
Free Choice Foods plans to be a regular donor to the gluten-free food bank at the House of Neighborly Service to help our friends in need in northern Colorado. To learn more about this event or how you can make a donation, visit the House of Neighborly Service at www.honservice.org.
CSA Recognition Seal  Free Choice Foods Joins CSA Recognition Seal Program
Free Choice Foods, based in Littleton, Colorado, has recently completed the requirements to qualify for the Celiac Sprue Association’s Recognition Seal Program. The use of the CSA five crossed grain Seal on packaging means the manufacturer has agreed to adhere to CSA’s standards in representing their product to be free of wheat, barley, rye and oats (WBRO), their derivatives and crosses in product, processing or packaging. Free Choice Foods packaging will feature the CSA Recognition Seal to indicate the products are appropriate for a medically prescribed celiac diet.
In order to qualify, Free Choice Foods provided CSA with their specific procedures and policies necessary to produce a product free of WBRO. CSA periodically conducts onsite inspections and engages the University of Nebraska for product testing by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Method, sensitive to 5 ppm (per million) to assure continuity in the WBRO-free quality.
Free Choice Foods president and owner, Kathy Lewis, MS RD, presents the following mission statement: Our goal is to enhance living the gluten-free lifestyle by simplifying meal planning and preparation with food products that feature premium quality natural ingredients, convenience, value and the CSA Recognition Seal. Free Choice Foods offers six gluten-free, dairy free, soy free, vegan meal mixes:
Creole Red Bean Jambalaya Rice and Bean Mix
Hearty Vegetable Stew with Buckwheat and Quinoa
Quinoa Lentil Pilaf with Almonds and Raisins
Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf
Tuscan Style White Beans and Rice Mix
Wild Rice Pilaf With Roasted Pecans
Suggested recipes for adding meat or seafood are included on each package. All Free Choice Foods offerings are high in dietary fiber and provide at least 6 grams of protein per serving. Visit the Free Choice Foods website at www.freechoicefoodsusa.com for more information.
Free Choice Foods joins Recognition Seal Program participating manufacturers AgVanced Enterprises, Aleia’s Gluten Free Foods, Bay State Milling Company, BlueDominoes, Cali Fine Foods, Canino Sausage Company, Chebe Bread Products, Cupoladua Oven, Dakota Lakes, Domata Living Flour, Earth Source Organics, Earthly Treats, Fox Ridge Bakeries, Freeda Vitamins, Full Flavor Foods, Gluten-Free Creations, Gluten Free Essentials, Gluten Free and Fabulous, Gluten Free Mama Kitchen, Goose Valley Natural Foods, Grandma Ferdon’s, Hill’s Chestnut Farm, Kneaded Specialties Gluten Free Bakery, Kookie Karma, The Lite-Ful Cheesecake™, Meister’s Gluten Free Mixtures, Mixes from the Heartland, Mrs. May’s Naturals, Mulay’s Sausage Corporation, The Natural Bar, Purpose Foods/Sweet Fiber, Simply Boulder Foods, Skye Cookies, SunWest Foods, and Worldwise Grains. Also recognized by the Program are the books Recognizing Celiac Disease, The Gluten-Free Italian Cookbook: Classic Cuisine from the Italian Countryside, and The Gluten Free Passport series. Restaurants participating in the program include The Soup Pot, GF Cucino’s, Picazzo’s Gourmet Pizzas, the Atrium Café and Anthony’s Italian Chop House at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook, IL and the Peppercorn Duck Club at the Kansas City Hyatt. Website links to all participants can be found on CSA’s website, www.csaceliacs.org.
Celiac disease is a genetic auto immune disease which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Current medical research reveals that statistically 1 out of 130 individuals will test positively for celiac disease. Once a patient is diagnosed with celiac disease, a diet free of wheat, barley, rye and oats will alleviate the symptoms, usually within weeks, and will help prevent the onset of related illnesses. Five out of six people with celiac disease have yet to be diagnosed. Undiagnosed people will exhibit a variety of symptoms including, but not limited to, bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, mouth ulcers, fatigue or anemia. If undiagnosed, the disease can lead to serious illnesses such as osteoporosis and bowel cancer.
Current information on CSA and celiac disease is available at the CSA website, www.csaceliacs.org or by calling toll free 877-CSA-4-CSA.
July 17, 2009
The Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) is a member-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis worldwide through research, education and support.
| What our Clients Say  Ellen A., East Canton, Ohio I met you and tried your products at this year's GIG conference in Minneapolis. I wanted to write to let you know what a big difference your Jambalaya mix has made in my household this summer.
You see, I was diagnosed while my daughter was away at college. She promised that she would be gluten-free while at home this summer, but when push came to shove? We did nothing but fight about who would be eating what.
Until I broke out your mix. We add a little smoked sausage and some shrimp, and she loves it. Asks for it at least once a week, and we will be ordering a case for her apartment when she goes back to school! In fact, she requested it again tonight.
Thank you so much. You have made what might have been a very uncomfortable visit much more enjoyable for both of us. Read more... |