Notes From The Fancy Food Show - New IC Friendly Food Possibilities

[icnmgrjill]

One of the funnest parts about the running the ICN is having the chance to attend lots of different shows to look for IC friendly foods, products, etc. etc. Now, just imagine two convention centers filled with more than 4000 food booths all passing out samples. Wow! It's a gastronomical delight!

Yesterday, my Sis and I drove down to the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Yes, my bladder didn't like the drive. Isn't it funny how driving somewhere hurts but when you arrive, your better, and when your one your way home, the pain goes away. I'm that way every time.

So, in any case, we drove on down to the City and luckily found some great parking, dashed over the convention center, forked out $60 each (because I forgot to register in advance) and entered food heaven. There were probably more than 1,000 of booths dedicated just to candy & chocolate and, no, I didn't have a single chocolate sample. We did, however, find a very good licorice that we might bring into the shop!

There were probably 2,000 booths dedicated to coffees, teas and, again, I resisted those samples. But I did find a few coffee makers who make vanilla smoothie mixes without coffee in them that could easily work for an IC friendly latte or frappucino. Combined with a dash of flavoring, milk (or soy milk) and ice, these could work really well. I've got two samples at home that I'll try and let ya know.

One huge hit was a new wine grape flavored water that had no citric acid, and was very light and flavorful. They had a red and white winegrape flavors and we just went crazy for them. This could be the perfect way for an IC patient to enjoy "wine" flavors without the disastrous effect of alcohols. More on that later.

We also found a small blueberry farm that made a heavenly, light, refreshing blueberry juice and dried blueberries. The only challenge was tha the juice requires refrigeration. Our ICN freezer is pretty full already... but they said it was okay to ship frozen as long as its refrigerated once it arrives. It was very very good!

We found a carob syrup that was combined with cherries to make a lovely reduction sauce for meat or even cheesecake... but they'll have to send us more details on that. It tasted wonderful though.

The weirdest thing was a "Wiffle"... which like a light airy rice cake that was loudly shot out of a machine with a BANG about one every 15 seconds. It was like a rice cake but without that annoying chewiness. Only a two week shelf life so we'll pass on that.

MetroMint water had a huge booth, as always. Their mint waters are really compelling not only in helping calm IBS but also in just being a refreshing, IC friendly beverage. They have four flavors: peppermint, spearmint, lemon mint and orange mint. My favorite was spearmint so we might start carrying that one too. We already sell the Peppermint.

Hmmm... hmmm... well, my arse is very sore from sitting in the car and here at work all day so I'll stop here. There's more!!! Stay tuned!

Jill

[ICNDonna]

That sounds like a wonderful day! It would be wonderful to graze my way through all the treats.


Donna

[SandyRN]

Sounds like a lot of fun!! If these products work out will the ICN shop be selling some of them?

[humpieumpumkin]

YUMMMMMMMMM!!! Keep us posted on the new products Jill!!!

[mary124]

Sounds very good. Hopefully some of the foods will make it to the store.