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On Sep 28, 1996 11:06:25, 'Ted Wolff <[log in to unmask]>' wrote:
 
>I have a few comments and question regarding the post from Kemp Randolph
>and Taylor Cush post.
 
>To state that you hope you do not have to purchase from specialty suppliers
>makes specialty food suppliers feel rather unappreciated and tells them
>all the special care and attention to detail is unnecessary.
 
Far from it, in fact just came back from a local support group with "Foods
by George" there. Hmm, those English muffins!
 
My concern is keeping variety in the celiac diet, meaning that there be
lots of suppliers. Variety is the key to any restricted diet. Kraft and the
other mega-food operations are probably hopeless. But mid--range size
suppliers are the ones to work on. There's a lot of consolidation in the
food industry these days, as in all "industries". Control of Arrowhead, for
example, recently passed to some venture capital firm in San Franciso. That
included their distributors such as Garden Spot. I had a long conversation
with the quality control supervisor at Arrowhead to convince myself that
they still care about celiacs. They do: he actually has an ancient slide of
a gluten damaged intestine he shows new workers.
 
So, in short, as Taylor Cushmore suggested, working effectively with
potential GF food suppliers is a two way street. Let's think more carefully
about dialogs with food suppliers so we can get the info we need and keep a
generous variety of GF foods available.
 
                                 Kemp Randolph
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