I have just returned from exhibiting at the Natural Trade Show in Brighton, the first time we have had a stand there. Well what an eye-opener into the 'Health' Trade!  Just as we get fed up of hearing 'are your products available in the supermarkets?' at consumer shows, today it was 'can we get your products from the wholesalers?'.  Just as a very large percentage of the retail outlet is controlled by a few supermarkets, so is the health trade by about 5 wholesalers. I would like to point out we are a wholesaler but we are independent. Interestingly, many independent health shop owners say that their coeliac customers are fed up of Trufree - and incidentally many of their products are full of hydrogenated fat and not at all nice to boot! This is due to a lack of specialist knowledge on the part of the 'health food' wholesalers. It would appear that their attitude is 'as long as it's gluten-free, we'll stock it' with no consideration about the quality of the products and whether we would actually want to eat it. In the catalogue of one of the health food wholesalers (who shall remain nameless) it even had rye flour listed as 'gluten free'. Not very helpful for small retailers who are trying to expand their gluten-free range.

Thank goodness help is at hand now! Helen Pengelly, who is a coeliac herself, at Johnson's Dietary Provisions, has personally selected all their products for their quality and taste and in response to customers' requests. And unlike other wholesalers there is no minimum order. We understand that it can be difficult with gluten-free products as they are necessarily more expensive so customers will be reluctant to try new products. We will let you try a few products in a mixed case so you can see which products sell before you order a full case.

Next month, if you are an independent retailer, you will be able to register for online ordering via our website. Please contact us if you would like us to keep you informed.

With the growing demand for free-from foods such as gluten free bread, wheat free flour, dairy free cakes and the such like, it is no wonder that (some) of the bigger supermarkets are slowly catching on.

But it is not enough to simply jump on a 'bandwagon' in this knee-jerk reaction. Consumers are now aware of the growing number of quality food manufacturers catering for people with food allergies and intolerances. In fact, some of these products are so good that even people without food intolerances are buying them!

I attended on open day at Johnsons Dietary Provisions over the weekend, and made the most of the free tasters on offer. Being a big lover of mediterranean cuisine, I headed straight for the Humous, followed by the delightful Falafel Balls and Cous Cous on offer from Leeora's Gourmet Kitchen. Not only would I have not known that these were 'free-from' foods had I not been told so, but the flavour and texture were second to none. I'm definitely a convert.

My biggest surprise though was the flavour and quality of the many different styles of bread available. I have always preferred continental breads such as brioch, ciabatta, and the omni-present french stick, but gluten free? Surely they can't taste as good? Well think again! Proceli are an artisan bakery originating in Terrassa, near Barcelona, and the quality of their bakery is certainly reflected in the taste of their products. They even produce their own gluten free flour so I can bake it at home too - though I doubt my efforts will be to their exacting standards ;-)

My advice? Go ahead and give them a go, even if you do not suffer from Coeliac's disease or other food intolerances. The more of these quality products that we can see on the shelves, the better.

Come along to our next open day. Eddie from Leeora's will be sampling his delicious Middle-Eastern dishes, they are all gluten and dairy free and suitable for vegans. The Sussex Larder will also be there sampling their wonderful sausages and pastry products - all gluten free! So if you are veggie, vegan or confirmed carnivore there is something for you!

See the Gluten Free News & Events page for further information.