The Weblog
The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:
Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!
New Vendor Spotlight!! Ella Bella!
We discovered a while back that our youngest Elizabeth– just 1 1/2 at the time– had a gluten intolerance. This was not a new disease for me; my mother is also gluten intolerant, and has been for 20 years. Since I had some history, I had a pretty good idea of what foods were available on the market in Dayton Ohio. I searched for new stores, tried new things. I found that dinners and snacks would not be a problem –eat whole foods. Foods from the vegetable and meat departments are not processed, so there is no way to have gluten introduced. My problem was with desserts. Everything I tried was disgusting, expensive and didn’t taste like the real thing.
I started experimenting with gluten free all purpose flour mixtures in February 2011. I wanted my daughter to be able to eat what the other kids were eating. And if those other kids came to our house, I wanted them to eat my daughter’s food, and not spit it out because it tasted icky. I knew what I wanted, how was I to get there? I started with 4 different AP flour mixes and made chocolate chip cookies. Thankfully, I have very hungry and not shy co-workers and friends. I had them rate the cookies based on color, texture, and taste. I got honest and constructive feedback. I went back to the test-kitchen and made more tweaks, added more of this, and less of that. Again I took them to my tasters. This happened several times, until I had a winner!
I knew I had come up with a good idea. I wanted to sell my baked goods to others who were gluten intolerant and also to celiacs. I worked with a friend (Chris Vallo) to make a great logo. My husband started marketing to the local restaurants and stores. Ella Bella was in business. We are still a small business but are growing every month.
My philosophy of providing my family with the best possible food also extends to Ella Bella. I mix my own gluten free all purpose flour with all natural and organic flours. I make my own vanilla, using non-grained based vodka. I buy organic butter, local organic eggs. In short, I use only high-quality ingredients to make high-quality baked goods.
Mandy
Ella Bella
Gluten Free Flour, and Mixes
www.ellabellaGF.com
937-319-1754