I just got off the phone with Steve Distefano, founder of Strictly Gluten-Free, and couldn’t wait to share the information I got from him. Strictly Gluten-Free will be opening their first store on my very own Long Island, NY!
They are very passionate about assisting the gluten free community to the best of their ability and there is a way you can help them better cater to your needs! Currently they have a survey up that they hope to gain incite into how they can best assist the most people possible. Please consider participating and see below for the link to the survey!
Help them help the best they can by Clicking Here to take the survey.
In their own words: Strictly Gluten Free is a new specialty retail and wholesale food market catering exclusively to the Long Island gluten free community where consumers can feel confident that all the products within the store are guaranteed to be 100% gluten free. People within the gluten free community are having to rely solely on gluten free diets to control their disease, and are seeking a reliable source to purchase quality, allergy friendly foods from qualified professionals who have an understanding of the needs and best interests in the minds of today’s gluten free consumers. The marketplace is awaiting a specialty food market to present itself solely to the gluten free community, and its’ owners plan to begin with Strictly Gluten Free.
The anticipate grand opening of the store will occur within the first quarter of 2011. We are not only looking to provide an outlet to purchase quality products but more so to build awareness, educate the community and provide support for a healthier lifestyle.
After speaking to Steve I would say in my own words that the goal of this Gluten-Free specific Food Market is to aid the gluten free community and their non-gluten free relatives, friends and loved ones in a multi faceted way. On the shopping front, Strictly Gluten-free aims to provide shoppers with a one stop location for all gluten free pre-packaged, refrigerated, health, cosmetic and beauty products and potentially pet care shopping needs as a starting point. They also hope to have an informational section for books and magazines and eventually expand to include a produce, bakery and deli section. The kicker about the whole thing? While Steve and his wife aim to carry only quality products, Shoppers will get the opportunity to Sample products before they purchase them! I think this is very important for someone with Celiac Disease of Gluten Intolerance who has such a limited number of products they can eat, by sampling they can feel more in control. Beyond shopping Strictly Gluten-Free will also aim to provide support, spread awareness, educate shoppers, loved ones, local restaurants etc. and will work on community out reach to assist in creating a well rounded healthy life style for those following a gluten free diet.
I will hopefully have more info to come as the opening date comes closer so keep your eyes peeled! Hope you have a great sunday!