Friday Information Roundup

A&J Bakery in Cranston will be making boxes of party RI red pizza slices for the summer (10 long slices or 20 small squares) in nut and gluten free (all orders for party pizza need to be placed in advance). They will also be offering some of their pre-baked pizza shells in 10" rounds and  1/2-sheet size for you to take home and top with your favorite toppings. You can even cook them on the grill on days when you don't want to turn the oven on. They also have sandwich and hoagie buns.
NOTE: A&J Bakery will be closed July 4-5, 2012 and will reopen on the 6th at 10am.

Sugarbird Bakery in Johnston is partnering with Mel's Downtown Creamery in Pawcatuck, CT, to bring you gluten-free ICE CREAM COOKIE SANDWICHES and BROWNIE SUNDAES with Sugarbird's delicious, gluten free treats!!! PLUS, special orders of cakes, pies, cupcakes, and more!! Available any time after June 5th.

Also, Sugarbird is selling boxed lunches for the beach, and a new product – Focaccia!

On their FaceBook page, Sugarbird has announced that if you have an overflow of fruit or veggies from your garden or CSA, contact them and they will make goodies from it, discounted since the ingredients came from you! Remember, Sugarbird's next open house is June 30th. 

Blackie's Bulldog Tavern in Smithfield, RI, announced in the Providence Journal's "Food Notes" section that they are debuting new menu and GF menu. I couldn't find any info on their website, but I did email them for info.

Don't forget that Back to Basics Natural Foods Grocery has another class coming up this Monday at 6:30 p.m. "Simply Star Spangled" with Chef Chris Oliveri will get you ready for your July 4th celebrations. Each class includes items suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free. Cost: $25 per class. They ask that you pre-register either by phone or email.

There are two new gluten-free cereals on the block: Apple Cinnamon Chex and, not to be left behind, Kellog's Rice Krispies. GlutenFreely.com is offering 20% off Chex during the month of June.

Frito Lay has released an updated list of their products which are gluten-free. Click here for the complete listing.

Congratulations to Eva Ruth's Bakery in Middletown for their mention on Boston.com.

"Have food allergies? Grab a healthy lunch at Eva Ruth’s Specialty Bakery (796 Aquidneck Ave., Unit D, 401-619-1924, www.evaruths.com, sandwiches $7), with food that is gluten-, wheat-, and nut-free, including breads, muffins, quiches, cookies, pies, and pastas."

If you're in the vicinity of Braintree's South Shore Plaza, check out Doc Popcorn's. Doc Popcorn offers whole-grain popcorn cooked in corn oil. Flavors range from cheesy cheddar, to sweet
butter, to sinfully cinnamon and hoppin’ jalapeno, and are gluten free and nut-free, with soy-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free options available. 

Steadfast Beer in Albany, NY, is offering a new gluten-free beer, Steadfast Sorghum Pale Ale. 

It is described as a "golden-amber color with a frothy white head and brilliant clarity as well as an elegant lacing on your glass as you drink," with "pungent floral and citrus aromas from dry-hopping with Cascade hops," and "notes of burnt sugar, bread, and caramel followed by spicy alcohol flavors and a hint of molasses sweetness. Mid-sip, look for an explosion of hop bitterness and grapefruit-like hop flavor, and brace for a lingering dry finish."

So far, availability is limited to New York, but you can order online.

Gluten Free Dining Friends RI hosts monthly dine outs at area restaurants. For information, contact Ashley Marshall at glutenfreefriendssne@gmail.com.

I received a copy of the Triumph Dining "The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide" for review. I will be posting a review of this amazing dining resource soon. 

I also received product from Butterfly Bakery, and will be posting a review of their banana walnut mini muffins and plain vanilla creme cake.

For those of you who live in the Kent County area of Rhode Island, West Bay Community Action is rolling out its gluten-free pantry program very soon! Yours truly is volunteering there next week, helping inventory the stock, and talking about the procedure to qualify people. I'll have details as soon as they become available, but the WBCAP program covers residents of Warwick, West Warwick and East Greenwich.

 That's it for now...if you have any product news or announcements you would like included in my weekly roundup, please email it to celiacgirlri@gmail.com