About Us
Our Mission
At its core, GlutenFreedomForAll allows for those who need to be gluten-free to have:
Normalcy
● An easier transition to gluten-free living
● The ability to be spontaneous and not worry about packing snacks
Peace of Mind
● The peace of mind that comes from knowing that what you are eating is safe
● A stress-free experience from purchasing to eating
● Certified nutritionists offer educational materials to help navigate gluten-free living
Giving Back
● Hope for an improved quality of life through medical advances supported by research
● Support for other organizations that improve the quality of life for those who need to be gluten-free.
Our Story
Julia knows that...
- Tackling a new lifestyle and seeing things you cannot eat being consumed all around you is frustrating
- Reading every single label to find gluten-free items can be overwhelming
- Funding for Celiac research and food insecurity is limited
Julia wants to...
- Bring back a sense of normalcy while shopping and eating
- Create an experience in which all the worry and stress that comes with being gluten-free is minimized
- Raise money for celiac disease research and projects that improve the lives of those who need to be gluten-free
Meet Julia
In 2019, after months of severe stomach pains, fatigue, and nausea, an endoscopy revealed that the culprit of my pain was Celiac Disease. This diagnosis did not come easily: endless doctor visits, constant blood work, different opinions. Each meal was a mental battle - will I feel sick afterwards? Am I feeling sick because I’m thinking about it? Is this my new normal?
Food has always been a staple of my life. Losing the freedom to choose meals was restrictive: less gluten in my diet meant less spontaneity in my life. I had taken for granted the meaning of small moments throughout the day that centered on food: a quick grab-and-go with my sister between activities or a coffee and donut after school. I thought these unrehearsed moments could be replaced by structure, but it was not that simple. Instead, I developed new insecurities; the embarrassment of explaining my condition overwhelmed me. I also felt a creeping sense of alienation from my own culture: food is my family’s way of infusing our Italian and Greek immigrant past with our current American lifestyle.
GlutenFreedomForAll was born out of an effort to eliminate the restrictions and insecurities many face while on a gluten-free diet and make eating a positive experience. I hope that it adds as much value to your life as it has to mine.
Sending sunshine your way!
Julia