Meet The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America

Better known as GIG to many, the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America organization is a major force in the celiac community. What I respect most about GIG is that they continue to educate us with the latest and greatest gluten-free information available from around the world.

GIG is dedicated to spreading awareness of the most current and relevant gluten-free information as it pertains to our community. It’s hard for people to change their mindset and you can’t kill an idea – especially on the internet. But truth is truth and GIG is devoted to getting to the truth of the matter regarding all things gluten-free.

It’s unfortunate that for many years food scientists and researchers did not understand that the distillation process removes the gluten protein, rendering distilled vinegar and alcohol gluten free. If gluten flavors are added later to alcohol for instance, they could contain gluten. Malt vinegar is not distilled and therefore contains gluten. Distilled vinegar is gluten-free. Incorrect information floats around in cyberspace about both these issues and it likely always will. That is why it’s so important to keep up with the latest gluten-free news available.

GIG created the first gluten-free awareness and training program in the U.S. The Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program, or GFRAP for short, continues to expand our safe dining out options. As someone who eats out often, yet safely, I can really appreciate what the GFRAP program has done for us all! 

New York City has more than its fair share of GFRAP approved restaurants but they also have more restaurants than any other city than in the country so this makes sense. We ate at several GFRAP places while on vacation in the “Big Apple” last year and had the time of our lives! GRFAP restaurants are located around the country so check their website to see if there is a location near you!

Excerpt from the GIG website:

GIG Branch Mission
GIG Branches help to fulfill GIG’s mission on a local and regional level through programs tailored to their community.

GIG Vision
The vision of the Gluten Intolerance Group of NorthAmerica is one of mutual support, acceptance, and respect for all persons living with gluten intolerancesand working with this community. GIG envisions a united gluten intolerant community in which all persons feel they are healthy, are positively nurtured to live life to the fullest, and are involved and contributing citizens.

36th GIG Annual Education Conference:
June 3-5, 2010

Minneapolis Airport Marriott
2020 American Boulevard East
Bloomington, Minnesota 55425 USA
Phone: 1-952-854-7441
(Across from the Mall of America)

The last sentence in the GIG Vision statement is my own personal motto as well. When we band together to work towards a common goal – it is amazing what we can do! 

Right now, GIG needs your help with a survey to help them make decisions about future educational conferences. They could really use your feedback so please click here to take survey. It takes less than two minutes to complete and no personal infomation is required from you. In case you’re in the  Southeast – Atlanta is in the running for a future conference location!

Let us know if there a GIG group (or another support group) in your area in the comments below. We want to be sure to include it in our Celiac Groups Directory!