News & Notes: September 20, 2019

My/Mo has launched two new limited-edition mochi ice cream flavor launches for the fall. Pumpkin Spice is made with creamy pumpkin spice ice cream infused with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove spices wrapped in a pillowy rice flour dough exterior, while Apple Pie á la Mode wraps the dough around a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream hugging a cinnamon apple center. Both varieties are available at Target, among other retailers.

RXBAR is entering the hot cereal category with the launch of new RX A.M. Oats. RX A.M. Oats are made with the same core ingredients found in RXBAR and RX Nut Butter products - egg whites, fruits and nuts - with the addition of gluten-free oats. RX A.M. Oats are available in three flavors: Maple, Apple Cinnamon and Chocolate. Consumers can prepare the single-serve cups in one of three ways: with hot water, in the microwave or as overnight oats.

Simple Mills' certified gluten-free Soft Baked Almond Flour Bars will be available this fall in Dark Chocolate Almond, Chunky Peanut Butter, Nutty Banana Bread and Spiced Carrot Cake varieties. The bars have a soft-baked texture with chunks of almonds, coconuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, carrots, bananas and raisins. The line will be sold at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Amazon and other grocers.

Veggies Made Great by Garden Lites has added two Veggie Cakes varieties and three new Frittatas. The Superfood Veggie Cake now comes in Butternut Squash and Broccoli Cheddar, and the Frittatas in Spinach Egg White, Veggie Bacon & Potato, and Mushroom & 3 Cheese Egg White.

The primary ingredient in the new Crunchmaster Grain-Free Crackers is cassava, a root vegetable native to South America. Also known as yucca or manioc, cassava is paleo and vegan friendly as well as gluten and nut free. The line features three flavors: Lightly Salted, Mediterranean Herb, and Romano, Asiago & Cheddar.

Brewery Ommegang announced the introduction of Project Cider, a new initiative intended to explore the intersection of European and American cider traditions. The line debuts with two varieties: Dry and Rosé. The ciders will be offered year-round on draft and in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans.

Clean and Green

South Jersey-based chef Nicole LaTorre founded the Eat Clean Organization to fulfill a need for healthy, gluten free and organic meal options in the region. Now, she's expanding her meal-prep concept to Philadelphia and the suburbs.

Though Eat Clean Org, Nicole offers a rotating menu (over 50 meals options a week) to include breakfast, lunch, dinner, salads and dessert. She cooks with all organic meats, wild caught fish, organic and local produce whenever possible. Pre-orders are placed online, with deliveries on Mondays and Fridays. (Read "How It Works.")

All meals are prepared by ServSafe-certified chefs in a dedicated gluten-free commercial kitchen, ensuring safety and no cross contamination. Meals are available in four different sizes:

Classic Meal: 4 oz. protein, 1 cup vegetables, 1/4 cup carbohydrates
Lean Meal: 6 oz. protein, 1 1/2 cup vegetables, 1/2 cup carbohydrates
Athlete's Meal: 8 oz. protein, 1 cup vegetables, 1 cup carbohydrates
Family Size: protein, vegetables, carb and sauce on the side, enough for 4 (served in half-tray catering pans)

Eat Clean Org has just started home and office delivery all over Philadelphia, Ambler, Penn Valley and the surrounding areas ($20 delivery fee) and is looking to partner with gyms and wellness centers for pick-up orders. (Contact Nicole here with suggestions.)

In addition to 17 pick-up spots in South Jersey, Eat Clean Org also delivers to Garden State towns like Absecon, Galloway, Egg Harbor City, Smithville, Port Republic, Somers Point, Northfield, Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate City, Ocean City, Hammonton, Marmora, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Cape May Court House, Sea Isle City, Oceanview, Beasley's Point, Mays Landing, Vineland, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Tuckerton ($5 delivery fee).

Celebrate the Arts with Beyond Celiac

Join Beyond Celiac at a gala event on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Kimmel Center featuring the Philadelphia debut of acclaimed operatic tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz.

Highlights of this special evening will include a completely gluten-free cocktail reception and seated dinner by Garces Events in the Kimmel Center’s Hamilton Garden followed by a solo concert by Arturo in the Kimmel’s Perelman Theater.

Funds raised through this special event will benefit the organization's efforts to advance research for Celiac Disease, including the funding of grants to scientists focused on unlocking the secrets of this serious genetic autoimmune disorder.

Beyond Celiac has partnered with Chacón-Cruz to raise awareness of this serious genetic autoimmune condition and to generate support for research for treatments and a cure. Arturo, his son and his mother have all been diagnosed with Celiac Disease. And in pursuit of a brighter future for his family – and everyone dealing with this serious autoimmune disease – he has signed on to be the official spokesman of Beyond Celiac.

Arturo is featured in a video describing the challenges of living with Celiac Disease and his decision to support Beyond Celiac.

A native of Sonora, Mexico, Chacón-Cruz has performed over 50 roles – such as Cavaradossi in Tosca – in theaters across the globe, from La Scala in Milan to Carnegie Hall in New York. An acclaimed performer, Arturo has a wide repertoire and has won a number of honors and awards. He shares a long and important relationship with two of the reigning opera singers of the day, Plácido Domingo and Ramón Vargas. Since discovering Chacón-Cruz in 2000, Plácido Domingo has remained his friend and mentor, and the two have shared the operatic stage and concert platform many times.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets for the concert and the concert/dinner package are now available.