The National Gluten-Free Expo in Salt Lake City this weekend was an absolute delight. Thousands of people—those with celiac disease, people with gluten intolerance, parents of children with wheat allergies, and supportive friends and family—filled the venue in Sandy, Utah, creating an atmosphere that truly felt like gluten-free paradise. It was a rare pleasure to sample dozens of products without ever having to ask whether something was safe to eat.
The expo offered a great mix of familiar brands and smaller specialty producers. I visited booths from some of my favorites, including King Arthur Flour, Angie’s Popcorn, and Sweet Cake Bake Shop from the Salt Lake City area. King Arthur introduced a new all-purpose gluten-free flour that I’m eager to try at home. Angie’s Popcorn displayed several new flavors; I’m hoping to review those varieties and share a giveaway soon. Sweet Cake Bake Shop was impossible to resist—cookies, bars, and cupcakes were generously sampled and provided the perfect sugar boost for the day.
One of the highlights for me was finally meeting Erica of the humorous blog Celiac and the Beast. I’ve been following her writing for a long time, so it was great to chat in person. Her advocacy and humor do a lot to make living gluten-free feel less isolating. She mentioned her book is coming out this week, which is exciting news for anyone who follows her work.
The variety of exhibitors made the expo especially useful for discovering new gluten-free staples and indulgences. A few booths that stood out:
- Delallo Pasta showcased several gluten-free pasta varieties. I’ve enjoyed their products before and am hoping to coordinate a giveaway with them in the near future.
- The Crunchmaster team was incredibly generous with their crackers and samples. Their new offerings were popular with attendees, and I’m envious of anyone getting to try them before I do.
- New Grains Gluten-Free Bakery impressed me with the texture of their bread. I was disappointed to learn their products aren’t available where I live, but I’m hopeful they will reach more regions soon.
- Nancy’s Yogurt had several new items out for tasting, including a blueberry kefir drink that I found especially tasty. I entered their prize drawing and was fortunate enough to win a package of Nancy’s products, some of which I included in my upcoming giveaway.
- The Rudi’s booth drew a steady crowd thanks to freshly made grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas—the aroma alone was enough to attract attendees, and the samples were delicious.
- I was pleasantly surprised to discover Amaru Confections, a new gluten-free bakery that actually operates out of my hometown of Boise, Idaho. The owners were friendly, and I appreciated that they maintain a completely separate kitchen for gluten-free baking and packaging to avoid cross-contamination.
Beyond product sampling, the expo offered a sense of community that’s hard to find elsewhere. Conversations with exhibitors and other attendees were full of practical tips—favorite safe products, label-reading strategies, and recommendations for local gluten-free resources. For anyone newly diagnosed with celiac disease or just starting a gluten-free lifestyle, events like this are invaluable for discovering safe brands and building confidence in everyday food choices.
My bag of samples and swag was full by the end of the day, and I left with new products to test, recipe ideas, and connections with fellow gluten-free eaters and advocates. If you have the chance to attend a Gluten-Free Expo near you, I highly recommend it—whether you’re managing celiac disease, avoiding gluten for other health reasons, or simply curious about the growing array of gluten-free options on the market.
This expo was more than a marketing event; it was a reminder that the gluten-free community is growing, innovative, and supportive. I’m looking forward to trying the new products I picked up, sharing reviews, and hosting a few giveaways based on some of the goodies I brought home.