The CCA’s GF 101 Sessions are normally  ‘Members Only’ BUT because we know that so many people need this kind of support, we have opened up the webinar to the public. Everyone welcome! Who is Ellen Bayens?

Communication is the key ingredient to every successful gluten-free restaurant meal. When diners, chefs and servers are able to collaborate on what is required and what can be reasonably delivered, there is cause for celebration!

But where to begin?

The following is a list of suggested questions to help Start the Conversation on Celiac-Friendly Dining©. In very short order, the responses you receive will allow you to gage any given restaurant’s degree of  gluten awareness – and willingness.  For the very best outcome, call ahead or take your host or server aside before ordering.

NOTE: Restaurants that have carefully researched how to serve us love going into detail. If your questions are met with impatience and exasperation – go with your gut. When restaurants get gluten free right, reward them generously!

Question #1

• Please tell me about the meals  you recommend to diners who need to eat gluten free?

Ingredients

• What ingredients will be used to make my order?
• How do staff  know whether ingredients are really gluten free?
  • Says so on labels?
  • Checked product website?
  • Called the manufacturer?
  • Checked with The Celiac Scene? The CCA?
• Will pure spices, prepared seasonings or soy sauce made from wheat be used to make my meal?
• What other food items are cooked in the oil that ‘gluten-free’ items are cooked in?
• How are sauces and dressings thickened?

Procedures

• How will my server communicate with the kitchen that a gluten-free order has been placed?
• How are gluten-free orders prepared in relation to the regular flow of the kitchen?
• Will staff wash their hands / change gloves / change aprons clean surfaces before preparing my order?
• How do staff ensure that all utensils used in preparing my food are free from any trace of gluten?
  • Separate or scrubbed frying pan? Griddle scrubbed? Aluminum foil barrier? Dedicated pots? Dedicated colanders?
• What other precautions do staff take to minimize / prevent cross contamination?
• How will my server confirm with the kitchen that the order they are collecting has been prepared gluten free?
• How will my server confirm that the order they are delivering to me is gluten free?
  

How did the restaurant learn how to meet the needs of gluten-free diners?

• Through The Celiac Scene? Canadian Celiac Association?
• Registered dietitian? Local health authority?
• Staff members with celiac disease?
  

Questions Specific to Pizza Restaurants 

• The risk of cross contamination with airborne gluten flour is HIGH. Partake only if strict protocols are in place to protect your safety.
• Are ‘gluten-free’ crusts prepared on-site? 
  • During regular operations? Before regular production? During downtimes / days?
  • See questions in Ingredient section above.
• Are pre-made ‘gluten-free’ crusts purchased from a dedicated gluten-free manufacturer? Who is the manufacturer?
• How are gluten-free sauces and toppings prepared?
  • During regular operations? Before regular production? During downtimes / days
  • See questions in Ingredient section above.
• How do staff ensure that all utensils used in preparing gluten-free orders are free of any trace of gluten?
• How are utensils, crusts, sauces and toppings protected from cross-contamination with gluten while waiting to be used?
• How will my order be protected from cross-contamination with gluten once it has been prepared and/or while waiting to be served?

If the prospect of grilling restaurants about their gluten-free friendliness feels intimidating, you’ve got options!

Visit The Celiac Scene for restaurants that enjoy an excellent reputation within Victoria and Vancouver Island’s celiac community.

Join Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies to dine with a gluten-free group at carefully vetted restaurants. With more than 100 Meet-Ups under our belts, choose from a huge inventory of tried and tested celiac-friendly restaurants.

The Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association is pleased to announce that a Kids Meet Up Group will convene on Tuesday, June 18th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m at BC Children’s Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver in Room KO – 155. See Map.

The evening will involve crafts and/or other activities for the kids as well as a visit from some of the hospital’s therapy dogs. We hope these activities will help get us all chatting and getting to know each other better.

This group is for children ages 5 – 12 and it is not a support group, but rather is a place for positive peer relations for kids and their parents.

There will be no cost for members. Non-members are welcome and are asked to contribute $5 for the cost of materials.

This is a free-from food event. Please refrain from bringing snacks or food as we want the group to be inclusive of those with food allergies & sensitivities

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please RSVP to Jasmine at celiackidsconnect@vancouverceliac.ca if you are able to attend.

info@vancouverceliac.ca • (604) 736-2229 • (877) 736-2240 toll-free within British Columbia 

The Vancouver Chapter is proposing to have a meet up group for teens ages 13 – 18 as well. We would like to assess interest in this. If you could also respond to this email to let us know if your teenager would like to meet up with other teens with celiac disease, we would appreciate hearing from you. Contact celiackidsconnect@vancouverceliac.ca

Looking for an opportunity for your celiac or gluten-free kids to hang out with kids just like them?

Are you wanting to meet families like yours, to care and share, ask questions and just to connect with others in our community?

Then you’re invited to the inaugural Celiac Kids – Victoria & Westshore Meet Up on Sunday, October 6 from 12:30 – 2pm at Beckwith Park at 857 Beckwith Avenue.

Super casual!

• Meet by the playground.
• Bring your own food & drink, and if you feel inspired, bring something to share.
• Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to make yourself comfortable.
• Soccer ball, scooters, skipping ropes or anything for the kids to play or do would be welcome!

Questions? Contact Anna!

• Ask to join the Celiac Kids – Victoria & Westshore Closed Facebook Group
• Ask to join Celiac Parents and Parents of Celiacs Closed Facebook Group

The Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association is pleased to announce that a Kids Meet Up Group will convene on Monday, October 7 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m at BC Children’s Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver. See Map.

The evening will involve crafts and/or other activities for the kids as well as a visit from some of the hospital’s therapy dogs. We hope these activities will help get us all chatting and getting to know each other better.

This group is for children ages 5 – 12 and it is not a support group, but rather is a place for positive peer relations for kids and their parents.

There will be no cost for members. Non-members are welcome and are asked to contribute $5 for the cost of materials.

This is a free-from food event. Please refrain from bringing snacks or food as we want the group to be inclusive of those with food allergies & sensitivities

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please RSVP to Jasmine at celiackidsconnect@vancouverceliac.ca if you are able to attend.

info@vancouverceliac.ca • (604) 736-2229 • (877) 736-2240 toll-free within British Columbia 

The Vancouver Chapter is proposing to have a meet up group for teens ages 13 – 18 as well. We would like to assess interest in this. If you could also respond to this email to let us know if your teenager would like to meet up with other teens with celiac disease, we would appreciate hearing from you. Contact celiackidsconnect@vancouverceliac.ca

The BC Chapter of the Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association is pleased to announce a Christmas Crafts & Cookies Meet Up on Thursday December 12th 6-8pm at BC Children’s Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver. See Map.

This group is for children ages 5 – 12 and it is not a support group, but rather is a place for positive peer relations for kids and their parents.

The cookies and decorating supplies have been generously donated by Jenna – owner of Delish Gluten Free Bakery.

Please RSVP to Jasmine at celiackidsconnect@vancouverceliac.ca by no later than December 5th so that we know how many supplies we need. You’ll be provided with the exact room number on the bottom floor of the Ambulatory Building (Starbucks & GI building) at that time.

Free for CCA members. $5 for non-members.

info@vancouverceliac.ca • (604) 736-2229 • (877) 736-2240 toll-free within British Columbia 

The Vancouver Chapter is proposing to have a meet up group for teens ages 13 – 18 as well. We would like to assess interest in this. If you could also respond to this email to let us know if your teenager would like to meet up with other teens with celiac disease, we would appreciate hearing from you. Contact celiackidsconnect@vancouverceliac.ca

Beans to Brew: An Evening All About Coffee
Tuesday May 30th | 6:30 – 8:00pm
Purchase Tickets in Advance – $20 – space is limited
710 Towner Park Rd, North Saanich (see map)

Millstone Farm is excited to welcome Sam Jones—founder of the island-born coffee roastery 2% Jazz. For over 25 years, Sam has been committed to sourcing, roasting and brewing exceptional craft coffee. Beginning as an outdoor kiosk in downtown Victoria, 2% Jazz has grown to become a community staple—renowned for the quality of its coffee and the warm and welcoming atmosphere of its indoor cafe.

On May 30th, join Millstone Farm for an evening all about coffee as Sam takes us on a journey from bean to brew. Learn how coffee is grown, sourced, roasted and brewed—and how to make the perfect cup at home!

After the presentation, enjoy a coffee tasting, a selection of gluten-free pastries and the musical ambiance of wes rd wraggett on Jazz Guitar! Coffee beans will be available for purchase, packaged and in bulk, along with Miron glass jars for storing the beans in maximum freshness and shelf life.

Store shelves will be well stocked with freshly milled flours, All Purpose Flour, Pancake Mix and the GF spices. Whole gluten-free grains will also be available for purchase, along with organic fresh eggs, organic, single-forest Maple Syrup,  recyclable egg cartons, cook books & so much more.

• 710 Towner Park Rd, North Saanich (see map)
• Open Thursday-Friday-Saturday 10am to 5pm
• millstoneorganics.com
• millstonefarmer@gmail.com
• 778-350-1455
• Instagram • Facebook
• Subscribe to their monthly newsletter and receive 10% off your first online purchase!

• Millstone Farm’s extensive line of organic flours  are stone-milled in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
• Grains can be milled up to 3 times to ensure that the flour contains the entirety of the grain.
• Gluten-free oats are milled in a separate mill in order to protect celiacs who cannot tolerate even pure oats.
• Whole, unmilled grains are also available for purchase.
• Organic spices, sourced from organic suppliers from around the world,  are milled to order for optimal aroma and taste, then stored in light-impenetrable, miron glass.
• All-purpose and pancake mixes are created in house and are xanthan gum free.
• Also at the store: organic fresh eggs, organic, single-forest maple syrup,  recyclable egg cartons, cook books & so much more.
• Coming soon – an outdoor cob oven for rustic, gluten-free baking! Think cinnamon buns and pizza!

Millstone Farms’ flours are milled to order. Phone or text 778-350-1455 or email millstonefarmer@gmail.com. Collect in person at the farm. 

Flours sold at the store on Thursday, Friday & Saturday are milled on Wednesdays.

Almond Flour • Amaranth • Arrowroot Starch • Baking Powder • Baking Soda • Brown Flax Flour • Brown Flax Meal • Brown Flax Seeds • Chickpea • Coconut Flakes • Coconut Flour •  Corn (tested to be gluten-free) • Cornstarch • Dried Organic Black Beans • Garfava • Vegan Chocolate Chips • Golden Flax Flour • Golden Flax Meal • Golden Flax Seed • Millet • Oat (pure from Avena) • Potato Starch • Psyllium Husk • Quinoa • Sorghum • Superfine Brown Rice • Sweet • White Rice • Tapioca Starch • Teff • White Rice • Xanthan Gum

• TESTIMONIAL: “My friend and I went to the most interesting family farm yesterday afternoon.  It is Millstone Farm & Organics and they specialize in organic, gluten-free grains. One can order fresh ground flours and pick up when convenient. They also have the MOST amazing vanilla, vanilla beans, and powder, fresh organic eggs, lots of interesting articles in their little shop. They also have spices which can be fresh ground, essential oils, etc. Check them out if you live on the Island.”  Diane Jenson

Millstone Farm’s  herbs and vegetables, organic soaps & wool products are focused on healthy, sustainable, zero waste living and packaged in refillable & reusable containers.

Shop Online

• click on images below for more information
• free shipping in Canada on orders over $75.00

Organic Canvas Totes

Natural Wool Dryer Balls

Organic Laundry Soap

Organic Shea Butter

Pure Essential Oils

Organic Produce Bags

Eco Cloths

Bulk Bags

Carrying Retailers

• (Wholesale Enquiries)