Episode 19 – A Discussion with Ronnilyn Pustil from The Gluten Free Garage
Let’s start the blog with the Show Notes for this episode:
The Gluten Free Garage is a pop-up vendor show featuring a wide variety of gluten free foods and beverages. The event is being held at Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street (near St. Clair) on Sunday, May 27th from 10am – 4pm. Admission is $10, with children 12 and under getting in free (cash only at the door or purchase tickets online). Street parking is limited, but public transportation is very close by. Advance tickets are available. You can find more information at www.glutenfreegarage.ca
My Thoughts –
I have always loved food shows – who wouldn’t? You get to sample foods to help you decide if you’d like to buy them, you get to meet the owners, producers and bakers behind the new food experiences. Once I had to eat gluten free, food shows took on a more important role.
I’ve been fortunate to see both sides of vendor shows; as a member of the public visiting the booths, and as a vendor selling and sampling my wares.
As a vendor, the work and preparation that goes into a show cannot be underestimated. First you must decide what you wa
nt to showcase to hungry potential customers, then you must work out the logistics of having samples and product to sell. Bringing too much product means you go home with it, bringing too little, and you have a missed opportunity. The other big unknow
n is what the other vendors are going to have. As a baker, showcasing my brownies and carrot cakes, I was just hoping that there wouldn’t be too many other brownies and carrot cakes, and that mine would stand out. I had to decide how many staff (family) I’d need to b
ring with me to help with the samples and sales. As always, there are the logistic issues of getting the food to the venue fresh, organizing the food for samples (how many samples????), and making sure we were following the local food handling regulations. Attending a food show as a vendor is a big undertaking.
As a customer at a food show, there is always lots to see, taste and sample. I can’t emphasize enough the value of having the creators of these foods manning the booths and being available for questions. We all know that gluten free food is more expensive than mainstream food, but at a show we are able to see the passion and commitment that the vendors put into producing foods and drinks to make them not only gluten free (a big commitment), but making them smell, look and taste good. Many of the vendors are small producers making specialty food for us. We can reward them with our feedback and by purchasing their products. Yes, there will be lots of samples, which the vendors are happy to hand out, as they are proud of their products, but as consumers, we have a wonderful opportunity to show our support of these dedicated small business people.
A food show is big undertaking, both for the organizer and the vendors, but it’s also a unique opportunity for us, as consumers to come out and support the businesses that take a real interest in our special foods. The podcast will be there to talk and record your thoughts on the products and the day. Please stop by, introduce yourself and let me record your reviews – See You There!