The second annual Central Pennsylvania Gluten-Free Expo will bring back some nutritional alternatives along with lots of advice about gluten-free products.
The event will include more than 40 local and national exhibitors, educational presentations, door prizes and samples.
A tote bag with offers and gluten-free samples will be given to the first 500 adult guests.
More than 1,100 people attended last year’s event, according to expo organizer Matthew Bolich. “One parent came up to us at the expo with tears in her eyes and stated she was so grateful to have an event where her child could sample everything, since all products were gluten-free,” he says.
Expo exhibitors will be providing samples and promoting products and some will be selling gluten-free items. Confirmed vendors for this year include Schar USA, Wegmans, Weis Markets, Against the Grain Gourmet, Bakery on Main and Tonya’s Gluten-Free Kitchen.
Market website specialtyfoods.com predicts that the gluten-free business will grow 48 percent from 2013 to 2016, reaching estimated sales of $15.6 billion in 2016. This is due in part to an increased awareness of celiac disease and gluten sensitivities.
Keynote speaker Dr. Alessio Fasano is a world-renowned pediatric gastroenterologist, research scientist, entrepreneur and founder of the Center for Celiac Research. His research led to the awareness of celiac disease as a growing public health problem in the United States. His prevalence study published in 2003 established the rate of celiac disease at 1 in 133 Americans.
As visiting professor at Harvard Medical School and chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Massachusetts General Hospital, Fasano moved the Center for Celiac Research to Boston in 2013. There, he treats both children and adults for gluten-related disorders.
A passionate advocate for collaboration research and clinical work, Fasano recently authored “Gluten Freedom” to provide patients, health care providers and general readers an evidence-based yet entertaining book to dispel confusion about gluten and how it can affect health.
Other speakers at this year’s event include cookbook author Annalise Roberts and Blair County resident Naomi Poe, owner of gluten-free flour company Better Batter.
The expo will take place from noon until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel, 215 Innovation Blvd. in State College.
The presenting sponsor of the expo is Wegmans of State College, and tickets are available at all Wegmans locations. Advance tickets are $5 and are on sale now. Tickets will also be available at the door for $10. Children 16 and younger are free.
Expo details can be found at www.centralpaglutenfreeexpo.com.
