Mill Valley, CA - AltiPlano Gold has introduced a new 1 lb bulk package of its Natural Quinoa Flakes.  Quinoa has gained popularity in recent years as a gluten-free whole grain that is rich in fiber and protein.  Since 2002, AltiPlano Gold has been known for its line of instant hot quinoa cereals, sold in boxes of single serve packets.  The new bulk package offers an economical option and versatility, as the flakes can be used not only as breakfast cereal, but also in other baking and cooking applications.  Visit the AltiPlano Gold website for details or to purchase.

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ Gluten-Free Essentials has kept their ovens working overtime.  This relatively new company is already boasting over 30 “free-from” mixes, ranging from cakes and frosting to rice blends and savory bread.  But they just can’t stop, not while there are so many great foods to work with.  Having recently discovered the nutritional benefits of hemp, Lorraine Palmer, one of the founders of Gluten-Free Essentials was compelled to start a new product line focused around this super-seed.  Under the trade name Healthy Harvest, Gluten-Free Essentials has released their first hemp-based product, Cranberry Apple-Spice Cookies …

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ Exceeding the expectations of the 100-calorie snacker, Clif Bar & Company has created a miniaturized version of their popular LUNA bar product line, with each half-size bar weighing in at just 80 calories.  LUNA Minis were first unveiled at Expo West in Anaheim, California in March, but they are now available to the public for purchase in an 18-mini variety pack containing an equal selection of the S'mores, Nutz Over Chocolate® and Caramel Nut Brownie LUNA bar flavors. Each LUNA Mini contains 4g of protein, is high in folic acid, and is also a good source of calcium ...

South Salem, NY ~ The concoction wizards at Divvies are constantly testing and tasting and creating so their confections can be shared by more and more eager sweet-tooths. Already touted as vegan, egg-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, and tree nut-free, some of the cookies from Divvies are now soy-free, thanks to an reformulation of their recipe that eliminated the need for soy flour.  The Oatmeal Raisin and Molasses Ginger cookies are made without any soy, while the two varieties with chocolate chips, do contain soy lecithin in the chocolate chips themselves.  However, lecithin may not be a problem for some soy allergies, consult with your physician.  To check the new ingredients, see the Divvies information page.

Weare, NH ~ Abigail's Bakery has been supplying farm stands and farmers' markets with exceptional breads that are handmade from scratch for many years, and have made an effort to reach even more customers through distribution at small markets and grocery stores for the past several years. Our customers have been very loyal and we have received a wonderful response!  We've been listening to your requests, and there have been many, and we are pleased to announce we will open our retail outlet at 352 South Sugar Hill Road in Weare, NH on June 2nd! ...

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ Terra Nostra, a Vancouver BC producer of gourmet chocolate, has captured the attention of reviewers with their most recent product line, dairy-free "milk" chocolate.  The line, which was introduced in 2007, goes under the brand of Ricemilk Choco™, and currently comes in three chocolate bar varieties: Original, with Almonds, and with Dark Truffle Center.  Though the market for a vegan "milk" chocolate was largely untapped, yielding virtually no competition, Terra Nostra opted to start with a superior product, rather than lunging at the opportunity to be first to market.  The result was a quality product that is now gaining the recognition of popular vegan food reviewers ...

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ On her blog, Oprah announced that she will eliminate caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten and animal products (meat and dairy) from her diet for a 21 day cleanse.  Inspired by Kathy Freston's book, Quantum Wellness, Oprah is taking on the concept of "conscious eating" to discover what her attachments are to certain foods and what she is willing to do to change.  In addition to the cleanse, Oprah is going vegan in the hopes to make it a new trend.  She has already expressed her delight at how satisfying the vegan diet can be, and shared what she ate on Day 1:

• Breakfast: Steel-cut oatmeal with fresh blueberries, strawberries, chopped walnuts, a splash of soy milk and some agave nectar. 
• Lunch: Chunky mushroom soup with wild rice and pecans. 
• Snack: A handful of roasted almonds.
• Dinner: A baked potato drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper with a salad of shredded lettuce, cranberries, pine nuts and tiny orange slices with a vinegar and oil dressing.

Milton, DE ~ As the number of diagnosed food allergies continue to rise, food allergy sufferers are paying careful attention to the ingredients used in the foods they eat.  This week, Bella’s Cookies of Milton has announced an expansion in their offerings of allergy-free and dietary restriction products, to meet the growing requests from those diagnosed with food allergies and those looking to limit certain ingredients ...