The Western New York Gluten Free Diet Support Group, Inc. (hence WNYGFDSG) is a member-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports individuals and families  living with Celiac Disease (CD), Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and gluten intolerance.  The WNYGFDSG has been in existence for 18 years and is a growing and dynamic organization, drawing from a very large geographic area in Western New York.  We have over 250 current members. This website lists our monthly meeting schedule, group dinners and social functions, as well as information about the upcoming events important to celiacs and their supporters.   Additionally, you can find information about Celiac Disease , Celiac testing, and Celiac Follow-up care.     If you would like to speak to someone from our group about Celiac disease or other related issues, check the contact names and numbers for more personalized support.        Welcome to the Homepage of the Western NY Gluten-Free Diet Support Group, Inc. Check out the many useful links on our site to help you enjoy living a healthy, Gluten-Free life.       Happy Summer!           They're Here!!   Betty Crocker cake and cookie mixes are now on the shelves of area Tops and Wegmans stores. Look in the REGULAR baking aisle. There are four options: chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and devils food & yellow cake mixes. They will run between $3.99 - $4.49 (not cheap) and are very easy to make.The mixes do not list a dairy free option but our members should be able to adapt. You've got to love Betty! Check with your local grocery store manager if you can't find these products.   An update on the Chex spotters. Cinnamon Chex have been spotted - Where?? Wegmans - West Seneca!! CORN, RICE and HONEY CHEX are now at many local stores. Have you found the chocolate, strawberry or cinnamon at your store??? Let us know. Be careful to buy ONLY the boxes that say Gluten Free right on them. Chex mix - Send your favorite recipe to be put on our web page.   Also: Betty Crocker GF cake and cookie mixes are now on the shelves at the Dick Road Wegmans. Have you seen them near you????   Paula McGirr - Webmaster - pimcgirr@yahoo.com

Another year ...  Another successful walk! Thank you to everyone who helped to make the 2009 walk the best ever.

Get the latest newsletter online. Click above for all the news, recipes, schedules and restaurant menu/reservation forms. Save a tree and stay informed!     Upcoming Events    MARK YOUR CALENDARS - DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS   July 4, 2009 Are you looking for a gluten free option at a public picnic for the Fourth? Declare your independence from gluten and head out to Grand Island!  The VFW Post 9249 has teamed up with Rich Products and French Meadow Bakery to offer a Gluten Free concession stand featuring Gluten free hamburger rolls and other GF goodies. They are currently working with beer distributors to provide Gluten Free beer as well.     Here are the newest additions to our ever-growing list of local GF friendly restaurants!   Glen Iris Inn One of our members recently had a wonderful dining experience here. They have a separate GF menu with a number of mouth-watering choices. GF rolls are included in the meal. Wow! Head to Letchworth Park for a day of hiking and a GF meal to remember. (Click above for location, directions, etc.)   Thai Orchid Restaurant (Evanstown Plaza - 417 Evans near Sheridan Drive in Williamsville) Delicious Thai and Vietnamese menu choices. Many items have been identified as gluten free.     La Nova Pizzeria La Nova now carries Vin-Chet pizza at both locations (Main St./Williamsville & West Ferry/Buffalo.  You can now order Gluten Free pizza at LaNova's. They have a 12 inch cheese and pepperoni pizza made by Vin-Chet bakery. You can have them bake the pizza or buy it frozen to make at home. The price for the 12inch pie - $16.95. Merge Restaurant 439 Delaware Avenue (near Virginia Street) This restaurant caters to vegetarians and vegans but has some poultry and fish dishes. A number of menu choices are gluten free (click on the link and view the menu choices. GF is clearly marked on the menu). Merge is open for both lunch and dinner.  (The restaurant lists a disclaimer at the bottom of the menu and cannot gaurantee the food for severe Celiacs or others with severe food allergies.)   An old favorite and a New Listing in the Southtowns area serving Gluten Free Choices Ilio DiPaolos Restaurant 37 85 South Park Avenue - Blasdell, NY 14219 - phone 825-3675 DiPaolos has a great menu with many GF choices, including pasta dishes.    Know of a good restaurant in your area that caters to the gluten free diet? Help add to our restaurant list. Please contact Marilyn Hauck  and/or the, Paula McGirr (see contacts link).

Did you know there is a local bakery that carries gluten free items? Vin-Chet Pastry Shop 2178 Kensington Amherst, NY 14226 839-0871 This is now the ONLY location for getting a variety of gluten-free baked goods. Call in your order by Friday at noon for pick-up on Saturday (between 2-4 PM). Vin-Chet's offers the following great tasting, gluten-free products:   Savory bread Sandwich bread Cottage bread Mock Rye bread (using caraway seeds) Banana nut bread Chocolate chip cookies--with real butter and certified gluten-free Ghirardelli chocolate Double-chocolate fudge brownies--chocolate chips, walnuts, and fudge icing Chocolate ganache cakes and cupcakes Almond biscotti Pizza crust: par-baked 12" crusts Pizza - cheese and pepperoni Hamburger buns Meringue shells

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Did you know that there are new studies linking celiac disease and dental problems in children? Check out the  Celiac Articles/News section of the webpage.  The latest in a string of national articles featuring the GF lyfestyle can be found.  Here is a link to information on the Food Labeling Act. Click here for a link to the National Celiac Spru Association - It lists U.S. government links regarding GF labeling anf food allergies in general.

Check out the launch of GlutenFreeTravelSite.com                     Visitors to the site will soon be able to quickly and easily access travel reviews organized by geographic region and read about others’ personal experiences traveling and dining out in any part of the world. The site is user-based and you are encouraged to submit a review sharing your experience from a hotel, resort, cruise, or favorite restaurant. Pass the word along to your friends & family. Also, let's put Buffalo, New York on the map as a celiac friendly community by posting reviews to our restaurants.                a website focused exclusively on user-submitted gluten-free travel reviews.

How about Taking a Gluten Free Cooking Class at Wegmans? Date: Thursday, June 25 -  6:00 - 8:00 PM Address: Wegmans - 5275 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville Cost: $49 Reservations: (716) 631-4370 Grilling with Chef Bill Makofski Class Description Join Chef Bill and our Wegmans Nutritionist to see (and taste!) how to make an entirely gluten-free summer cookout meal, starring our popular Monterey Pepper Burger, Gazpacho, even pasta salad! You’ll enjoy the delicious results of our Chef’s demonstration, along with a wine sample and dessert. Chef Bill and our Nutritionist will be available as you enjoy your meal to talk about Gluten Free Resources and answer your questions.  Demonstration Cancellation Policy You may receive a refund if you notify us at least 3 days in advance that you cannot attend a class. We reserve the right to cancel a class for any reason. Do you like to cook and bake? Our group has a number of copies of  Pleasing the Gluten-Free Palate, a wonderful resource for Gluten-Free cooking, ready for you to purchase. Also, our library has a number of wonderful Gluten-Free cookbooks for you to borrow (when you become a member) and create to your heart's (and stomach's) content. Also, check out this website's list of GF recipes. Do you have a favorite recipe that you could share with us? Let the webmaster know! We LOVE to share!

Information on Oats The mission of each of the following companies is to provide the purest oats available for people with celiac disease and wheat allergies. Inspected by celiacs from planting to packaging, these companies understand the importance of avoiding cross-contamination from wheat, rye or barley.   Bob's Red Mill  now brings you GF oats! The oats are packaged in their new, 100% gluten free facility and tested for gluten again to ensure their purity. Now available locally. Cream Hill Estates in Quebec, Canada. They have an order form on the website for purchasing rolled oats (called oat flakes) and oat flour.  (The oats have been ELISA tested at below 3 ppm*) Gluten Free Oats® (This IS the name of the company), based in Wyoming has an order form on their website for rolled oats in a 2 pound 9 oz. size. (These oats have tested at below 3 ppm*)  *Please be advised that a small percentage of people with celiac disease may not tolerate even the purest of oats. If you are unsure whether oats are suitable for your diet, please check first with your health advisor before eating them.

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