Whole Foods Market has crowned gluten-free blogger Karina Allrich of Karina's Kitchen the winner of its Budget Recipe Challenge. Karina’s recipe for Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas costs a mere $2.59 per serving. The popular gluten-free, vegetarian recipe received more than 1,300 votes in the contest, which ended October 8.

Want to try Karina’s winning recipe for Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas at home? Find it here.

Gluten-free eating was the subject of a recent episode of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s Emeril Green show, aired on Planet Green, a Discovery Communications eco-lifestyle television station.

Arico CEO Angela Ichwan was named to the Gourmet News 20 Under 40 list, a biennial feature of 20 people in the gourmet food and kitchenware industries who have distinguished themselves before the age of 40. The winners are considered to be the future leaders of gourmet food industry. They are selected by the editors of Gourmet News.

Download a PDF of the article here from the October issue of Gourmet News.

Arico Natural Foods, maker of high quality gluten- and dairy-free snacks, today announced that its products are available in Fred Meyer stores in the Pacific Northwest.

Arico’s all-natural Cassava Chips and Cookie Bars are being sold in the Nutrition Centers of Fred Meyer stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

The Detroit Free Press recently ran a story about a Michigan mother whose autistic son has dramatically improved since adopting a diet free of gluten and casein.

Diagnosed with autism at 16 months old, Teresa Summers’ son, Sam, didn’t speak or gesture, didn’t play with toys, had bad temper tantrums and expressed little or no response or affection to people.

Receive 20% off Arico's delicious Gluten-Free Cookie Bars and Cookie Pouches when you shop online this month at www.aricofoods.com.

Made with more than 70 percent organic ingredients, like whole grains, cage free eggs and agave nectar, Arico's gluten- and dairy-free cookies are not only mouth-wateringly moist and tasty, they're also a good source of fiber and calcium.

Women for Women International’s Help Women and Children Survivors of War Rebuild project is currently less than 1,000 votes away from being among the top five winning projects that will share $2.5 million in funding through the American Express Members Project contest.

Arico announced that it has entered into a partnership with Women for Women International.

Women for Women International, a non-profit organization, helps women in war-torn regions rebuild their lives by providing financial and emotional support, job skills training, rights awareness and leadership education, and access to business skills, capital and markets. The program aims to help women become more confident, independent and productive as they embrace the importance of their roles in rebuilding their families, their communities and ultimately, their nations.

There is still space available for the Gluten Free Adventure Trek to Costa Rica, arranged by EMS, taking place from November 23 - 29, 2008, over Thanksgiving week.

The eight-day/seven-night trip will feature a hike up the Arenal Volcano, a rafting trip down the Pacuare River and a choice of additional activities. All equipment is provided. Comfortable rustic lodging is in two-person safari-style A-frame tents, complete with beds, mattresses and bedding. All meals are gluten free and will be prepared by trained staff.

The University of Chicago's Celiac Disease Center will be offering its annual free blood screening for celiac disease on Saturday, October 18 from 8:30am to noon. The event will also feature exhibitors and a Q&A with an interactive panel of experts at 10:30 am. 

It's estimated that more than 3 million people suffer from celiac disease in the United States, yet 97% of them are undiagnosed. The Center is offering this screening at no cost since many individuals would not otherwise have access to celiac disease testing - either because their doctors refuse to carry out the tests, their insurance do not cover the cost or they are uninsured.