News & Notes: September 25, 2015

La Brea Bakery recently added two gluten-free sandwich breads - fresh, not frozen - to its product line. Its Gluten Free Sliced Multigrain Sandwich Bread has a nutty-tasting crust and a soft interior with notes of texture and flavor from flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and millet. The Gluten Free Sliced White Sandwich Bread has a thin crust and classic white bread flavor. The bread has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat per two slices. Both varieties are certified gluten-free by NSF International and are baked in a dedicated facility. The breads, which have a suggested retail price of $6.99 per loaf, will be available in the Philadelphia region at Acme Markets.

Angry Orchard this week announced the national release of its newest hard cider, Angry Orchard Stone Dry (5.5% ABV), the driest style in its core collection. According to the tasting notes, this new cider has a bright apple aroma, juicy flavor, and a clean, slightly puckering, dry finish. Stone Dry showcases an intricate balance between the sweetness and acidity of culinary apples and the tannins of traditional cider making apples. The cider makers chose specific apples to achieve this flavor profile, including French bittersweet apple varieties from Normandy, like Dabinett, Binet Rouge and Harry Masters Jersey.

CVS stores in the Philadelphia area have begun carrying Promise Gluten Free snack bars. The Chocolate & Marshmallow Biscuit Bar and the Yogurt, Fruit & Nut Bar come three to a package and are certified gluten free.

Trader Joe's is now stocking its seasonal Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix and has added a new Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Baking Mix.

Slice It Up Pizza in Havertown (925 E. Darby Rd., 610-924-9200) now offers gluten-free pizza and has a dedicated fryer for wings and fries. The kitchen also has gluten-free hamburger rolls for cheesesteaks and burgers. (Thanks Debbie G.)

Franzone's, in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia (114 Levering St., 215-508-1050) and in Conshohocken (1940 Main St., 610-825-0323), offers gluten-free pizza. The shell is baked in its own foil pan and the staff uses a separate cutter.

In the city's Queen Village section, Imli Indian Kitchen (769 E. Passyunk Ave., 267-858-4277) serves many gluten-free options, which are marked on the menu.

Veggie T-Rex Deli in Logan Square (127 N. 15th St., 267-607-3354) can prepare sandwiches on Rudi's gluten-free Original and Multigrain breads. The deli uses Boar's Head cold cuts.

Media's Bittersweet Kitchen (18 S. Orange St., 610-566-1660) offers gluten-free pancakes. (Hat tip to reader Tania F.)

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about an all-gluten-free Asian takeout shop coming to Rittenhouse Square. The target opening date for Yoku! is October 7.

It's a ways away, but a gluten-free expo is coming to the Delaware Valley. The Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the Greater Philly Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. There will be speakers and dozens of food vendors participating in the event. Tickets will go on sale in March 2016.

Garden of Health, a non-profit organization based in Souderton, is conducting a shoe collection drive to raise money to get special dietary foods into pantries. Donations of gently worn, used or new shoes will be accepted at the Indian Valley Farmers' Market tomorrow. Drop-off bins are located at the Bucks Mont Indoor Sports Center in Hatfield, Lansdale Library and the Sellersville Pharmacy, among other spots. Visit the group's Facebook page for more locations.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

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