Q & A with Jeff Eder, Founder of Free-from Foods / Dairy Free Market

Thank you to Jeff Eder, Founder of Free-from Foods / Dairy Free Market for participating in a Q & A with Food Allergy Buzz. Free-from Foods /Dairy Free Market is located in Bucks County, PA. The website is www.dairyfreemarket.com. For additional information, please contact Dairy Free Market via email at infoATDairyFreeMarket.com or telephone (215) 850-1326.

Please tell us more about yourself and your connection to food allergies and food intolerances.

My connection to food allergies and intolerances dates back to my childhood. I can remember the many times when a piece of pizza, a bowl of cereal, a glass of milk or an ice cream cone left me feeling like I had just eaten something that did not agree with me. Over time, my intolerance to dairy products progressed and in my late teens, I simply had to start cutting out all dairy from my diet. In addition to milk, once out of college I discovered that I was highly intolerant of most nightshade vegetables – potato in particular (that's the one that gave me the biggest problems since it is what I consumed the most). Once combined, my food sensitivities made me very aware of the difficulty one goes through when dealing with a food allergy or intolerance.

What inspired you to open the Dairy Free Market and when did you open for business?

 Once I cut out dairy from my diet (and potato later on) it took me a long time to figure out what worked best for me, both at home and when out to eat. I started to experiment with the non-dairy alternatives to my regular meals – Lactaid milk quickly became a great partner with cold cereal, and brands like Stella Doro replaced those formerly yummy cookies that contained dairy. To make things easier at the grocery store, I would usually look for the kosher symbol or lettering identifying a product as “pareve” (aka neutral / not containing dairy or meat). As I figured these things out, I noticed that the products or ingredients I wanted were not always carried by every store. I found it hard to discover new dairy free brands or items since stores never carved out a location in their aisles just for the lactose intolerant – it always seemed like a scavenger hunt gone awry as I gathered all the items I needed. I then started to imagine a shopping experience where at least one aisle of the store would be full of only the foods that I could tolerate. My imagination then turned into reality this year as I launched Dairy Free Market at www.dairyfreemarket.com. After going live in March, 2009 and testing the waters for about six months, Dairy Free Market is now getting its name out there for the world to experience a unique online shopping experience, something I like to call “A Taste of Food Freedom.”

What is your principle line of work? Have you always been an entrepreneur?

My principle line of work is not related to the food/grocery industry or even entrepreneurship. However, I have always been part of entrepreneurial projects and I can thank my parents for the opportunity to be raised in such an environment. As a child and into early adulthood I worked with my family to operate a small (traveling) business throughout flea markets in the Northeast. Most recently, I was able to bring the family business to the Web and have helped manage a successful seven years of online sales. My family's entrepreneurial roots go even further thanks to separate endeavors founded and/or managed by my grandparents – one of which was a luncheonette. Today, Dairy Free Market carries on the small business tradition that runs in my family.

Who handles the day-to-day business? Who can customers expect to speak with when they phone?

I currently handle most of the day-to-day operations of Dairy Free Market. Most web site content, order fulfillment, inventory management and customer service inquiries are my responsibility. However, Dairy Free Market does have a community of family, friends and consultants who assist with various elements of the business. For now, customers can expect to hear from or speak with me directly when they email or call Dairy Free Market.

Dairy Free Market seems to be unique among the food allergy specialty stores. Is everything in the store dairy-free? How do you define dairy-free--are all items from dedicated dairy-free facilities?

Dairy Free Market is unique among the food allergy specialty stores because we focus solely on bringing you the best of the dairy free world. Dairy Free Market helps to lessen any overwhelming feelings that people with milk allergies or lactose intolerance have as they navigate the sea of online specialty food retailers. With that said, Dairy Free Market still keeps its eye on providing products which crossover into the worlds of gluten free, peanut free, vegan, kosher, etc. - many of our products (all dairy free to begin with) also fit into multiple other categories – see www.dairyfreemarket.com “Lifestyle” categories for further information.

Dairy Free Market defines dairy free as a food product that does not contain milk (in any form) within the listed ingredients – so that means either no direct milk and no milk byproducts (no lactose, no whey and no casein) allowed. Dairy Free Market features some terrific brands (like Enjoy Life Foods) whose products are made on dedicated equipment/facilities, but not all products sold are able to be manufactured in this way. Dairy Free Market does recognize how difficult it is for many food manufacturers in the dairy free world to be able to cover the expense of making their products on/in such exclusive equipment/facilities and we do not want to limit the products we can offer. Therefore, it is always recommended that customers contact the manufacturer directly if they want to be sure a particular product meets their personal dairy-free standards.

Finally, do you have any specials or featured products that you'd like to tell Food Allergy Buzz readers about?

Yes, GoMaxGo vegan candy bars are one of our newest items and there is simply nothing like them out there – if you want to relive the taste of your “dairy” childhood where all chocolate could be eaten, then try a GoMaxGo bar to have an amazing dairy free experience. In addition, if you have yet to try dairy free baking then look not further than the many mixes provided by Cherrybrook Kitchen. Finally, if you are yearning for the taste of mac-n-cheese or adding some cheese flavoring to a meal then try out the many dairy free products from Road's End Organics.

October 29, 2009 Edition of the Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival

Welcome to the October 29, 2009 edition of living with food allergies carnival. Rational Jenn was a lifesaver, helping get this together for us.

Ruth Smith presents Top 10 Tips for Allergy Safe Trick or Treating | Best Allergy Sites posted at Best Allergy Sites, saying, "Halloween is around the corner--do you have a trick or treat plan? Here are some tips to get you started."

Ruth Smith presents Walt Disney World Goes Above and Beyond for Food Allergies posted at Best Allergy Sites, saying, "Disney just keeps getting better and better with their allergy protocols. Here's what to do if you are planning a trip to the World."

Ray Burton presents Blackened Chicken Cajun Dry Rub posted at Planning Diets Natural Nutrition, saying, "My chicken dry rub recipe spices for tasty chicken. No worries for gluten allergies and such :-)"

Rational Jenn presents Halloween! posted at Rational Jenn, saying, "This is my annual Halloween post, with some tips on keeping Halloween with Food Allergies from being truly frightening."

Ruth Smith presents Apple Cider Doughnuts: Egg Free, Soy Free, Peanut Tree Nut Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free posted at Best Allergy Sites, saying, "Enjoy a yummy favorite fall treat-free of most allergens!"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
living with food allergies carnival using our carnival submission form.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our
blog carnival index page.

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living with food allergies carnival, blog carnival.

Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival

We're still having some troubles with the Blog Carnival. I hope to have it up later today. Thank you for your patience.

If you have a food allergy related post you'd like to share, please send it for inclusion in the next Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival. The link for submitting an article/post is: http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_2597.html.  It is a great way to share your thoughts and also to drive a little traffic to your blog or website.

We Band of Mothers?

Today, I went with my 6 year old's class and the other 3 kindergarten classes on a field trip to the local farm. My son's class has 15 students and three have food allergies. 2 require eip-pens, the third does not. Does that seem like a high percentage of food allergies to you? I think so. I hear it is similar in the other kindergarten classes too. Another strange fact--three mothers, including myself, came along as chaperones for my son's class. All three of us have children with food allergies. We compared food allergy challenges, tips, along with tales of asthma, eczema, and doctors. I feel like I am part of a weird club, a band of food allergy mothers.

Sounded familiar, kind of like "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers", which then reminded me of one of my all-time favorite speeches--the Saint Crispin's Day speech from Shakespeare's Henry V.  Of course, it is a Shakespearean battle speech, and I don't mean to suggest it parallels our lives as mothers of food allergic kids, but it's an awesome speech! If you are not familiar with it, here's a version with Kenneth Branaugh:

Eczema Talk: In Search of Soap and Detergent

I am hoping to pick the brains of others dealing with eczema and food allergies.

My 6 year old son is allergic to peanuts and has mild to moderate eczema isolated usually to the area behind his knees. I have been using Seventh Generation Free and Clear Laundry Detergent and occasionally Tide Free. I generally do not use soap or shampoo on him in the bath. Once in a while, we will use Dove Body Wash for sensitive skin. Yet, those spots behind the knees continue to bother him and he frequently wakes up itchy during the night.

Based on the kids' laundry, I have the impression that Seventh Generation does not remove stains as well as Tide. I'd love to get some recommendations for other products. What laundry detergents and bath soaps do you use? Which ones have worked well and which ones haven't worked for you? I look forward to reading your comments!

Peanut-Free, Tree Nut-Free Candy Corn at A & J Bakery

If you've followed Food Allergy Buzz for any length of time, you've probably gathered that I'm a big fan of Rhode Island's A & J Bakery. To my now 6 year old peanut allergic son, it is one of the best places in the world because he can eat anything there, and it all looks and tastes so good. A & J is also a sponsor of Food Allergy Buzz.

I just heard great news from A & J: they now have peanut-free, tree nut-free candy corn from a U.S.-based peanut-free, tree nut-free candy manufacturer. My PA son is going to be thrilled to try it. He has not had candy corn due to his peanut allergy and my preference for U.S. made food products. Be sure to call soon if you want to receive it before Halloween. The telephone number is 866.426.9075.

Edible Flowers, Allergies and Asthma

Recently, a nearby friend told me that individuals with allergies and asthma should not eat eat edible flowers. I had never really given it any thought; opportunities to eat flowers just don't arise on a frequent basis. During a class visit to the school garden, however, her peanut allergic 5 year old was offered an edible flower and promptly, obediently ate it. Hives. Fast. Fortunately, nothing else occurred, all of the appropriate adults immediately noticed the allergic reaction and benadryl was administered. The parents were notified. Subsequent discussions have taken place with the hope of avoiding future reactions. Scary.

It is difficult to anticipate every scenario that will come up in school. Before we sent our kindergartener off to elementary school, I asked many questions--as this mother did--and expressed concerns about potential reactions. The school's response was to try to assuage fears, citing the high number of allergic students, years without incidents, etc, and after a while, I began to relax. This recent incident, however, is a reminder that despite best intentions, it is impossible to anticipate every allergy risk. It is difficult for the school to inform parents of the details of every class activity. Therefore, we must somehow constantly remind the children and the teachers of food allergy risks. The challenge is how to do to this--how to have a presence and protect your child, without making yourself unwelcome. We have to walk a fine line. Maybe all those years working in diplomacy and international affairs in Washington do have application outside DC. I'm about to find out.

Food Allergy Resource Fair in Hopkins, Minnesota

From the Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota:


Contact:  Shelly Craemer, 651-636-1836

Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota Holds Food Allergy Resource Fair

HOPKINS, Minn. 10/12/2009 -- Allergies to common foods like peanuts, eggs, milk and shellfish are on the rise, leaving families and schools more confused than ever on what is safe to eat. Individuals with food allergies, their families, teachers and caregivers will benefit from a FREE Food Allergy Resource Fair Saturday, November 7, 9:00-11:00 am, at the Hopkins Eisenhower Community Center at 1001 Highway 7 in Hopkins.

The Resource Fair will feature several allergy-friendly food and product companies from around the United States. Many will provide food samples, coupons and detailed information on product safety and benefits. In addition, children can participate in art activities facilitated by ArtStart, a Minnesota nonprofit art education organization. An allergist will be available at the “Ask the Doctor” booth to answer questions. Attendees can also learn more about the nonprofit organization Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota.

For more information about the Food Allergy Resource Fair or the Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota, visit FoodAllergySupportMN.org or call 651-636-1836.

About the Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota

The Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota (FASGMN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by food allergies. FASGMN advocates awareness, understanding, and safety within families and communities by facilitating personal connections and providing educational resources. Founded in January, 2003, the FASGMN is run entirely by dedicated, local volunteers, and serves families from the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area and beyond. foodallergysupportmn.org

October is National Eczema Awareness Month

Like so many allergic kids these days, my son has that popular threesome: asthma, eczema and food allergy. He is allergic to peanuts, has mild eczema, and mild to moderate asthma. Over at www.bestallergysites.com, I read about a lecture on the subject of food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema) at Children's Hospital Boston which was sponsored by the National Eczema Association. The lecture took place on Saturday, October 17, and the speaker was Lynda Schneider, MD, the Director of the Allergy Center at Children’s Hospital Boston. It was an informative lecture, in not-too-scientific terms, and the audience asked many good, probing questions.

I was able to pick up some interesting literature made available by the NEA, children's books about eczema, some samples of moisturizers with which I am unfamiliar, as well as a sample of a non-alcohol anti-bacterial wipe made by CleanWell.

If you or your child is suffering from eczema, you may find a visit to http://www.nationaleczema.org/ beneficial. Take a look! There may even be a support group near you.

Support for Peanut-Free Camps?

A reader wrote asking for tips for written sources and documentation showing how many children's camps are peanut-free and why "going peanut-free" is critical in the camp setting as well as other settings. I know the topic of peanut-free zones and environments is a hot button topic and am hoping we can steer clear of the controversy in order to help this reader. If you know of some articles or other sources which might be helpful, please comment with a url or two or even email the PDF to me at jenniferATfoodallergybuzz.com and I will forward it to her. In addition, if you have been involved in helping a camp switch to peanut-free and would like to share your experience, that would also be helpful.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Final Video on Milk Desensitization Study at Children's Hospital Boston

The latest and last installment from Children's Hospital Boston:

"Our video series, "A Cure for Milk Allergies?" reaches its grand finale this week.

In the last video in our series, Brett finds out if he passes the final milk challenge in the study- which culminates in him drinking a full 8-ounce glass of milk- and if he's cured. If he passes the challenge, there's an enormous pizza party in store for him.

http://childrenshospitalblog.org/a-cure-for-milk-allergies-part-8-will-brett-be-cured-of-his-milk-allergy/

The videos will also be featured on our Facebook page<http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=children%27s+hospital+boston&init=quick#/ChildrensHospitalBoston?ref=search&sid=1229933931.2537082010..1>."

Gingerbread House Kits from A & J Bakery's Dedicated Facility

In the last few days, I received word from my friends over at A & J Bakery that gingerbread house kits free of all top 8 food allergens will be available this holiday season. The kits are made in a dedicated nut-free, peanut-free and gluten-free facility. There is an early bird special if you order by November 10: $24.00.  For additional information, visit A & J Bakery's website or call (401)228-8696.

Peanut and Nut Allergies and Oreos

Oreos? This is a question for those of you living with peanut and/or nut allergies: do you eat them or feed them to your kids? We have been buying them for years, prior to and after diagnosis of my son's peanut allergy. This is one of those foods I haven't really done due diligence on because we have never had a problem. From time to time, on the online support food allergy bulletin boards, someone will ask: Are they safe for peanut allergy or nut allergies? I rarely read of someone having a reaction to them.

Take a look, however, at the photos below.

 

Nabisco obviously makes more than one Oreo product with peanut butter. All the Oreo Cakesters bear a "may contains" warning. I worry that peanut butter Oreo cookies may be made on the same machine as the non-peanut butter Oreo cookies. I plan to contact Nabsico to find out as much as I can, but I'm thinking it may be time to take them off our safe list. What do you think? Do you feel comfortable with Oreos?

Latest Video Installment from Children's Hospital Boston

"In the latest chapter, Robyn Nasuti shares her tips on keeping her kitchen safe- no small feat, given that two out of her three kids have severe food allergies. She also shows how she's simplified home-made pizza night at her house.

http://childrenshospitalblog.org/a-cure-for-milk-allergies-part-7-cooking-at-home-with-the-nasutis/"

Another Successful FAAN Kids Congress on Capital Hill

To view photos from this year's FAAN Kids' Congress which took place recently on Capital Hill, please click here.

Thanks to FAAN for sending this link.

Now at Navan Foods

Good news for those of you who are fans of Miss Roben's Mixes.  Late last week, we received a message that Miss Roben's mixes are back in stock at Navan Foods (www.navanfoods.com). Check it out!

Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival

This edition of the Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival is petite! If you have post you would like to share, please submit for the next carnival.

Ruth Smith presents Food Allergy Businesses: Putting Profits Before People on Best Allergy Sites.

Over on Texas Homesteader, Lara DeHaven presents Harmful Ingredients in our Soaps.

Jennifer B presents Q & A with Peter DeRousse, Owner of Free From Market on Food Allergy Buzz.

Another specialty food store is featured on Food Allergy Buzz in Food Allergy Buzz Talks to Allergies and Me Owner, Jamie Stern.