FASGMN Food Allergy Resource Fair November 12, 2011

Over 15 million Americans are affected by food allergies, and with no current cure for food allergies in sight, the only prevention is awareness.

To raise community awareness, the Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota (FASGMN) is holding its fifth annual Food Allergy Resource Fair on November 12, 2011 from 9am – 12pm at the Hopkins Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins, Minnesota.

The fair is free to the public and will feature nationwide allergy-friendly food and product companies, including Gimbal’s Fine Candies, a nationwide allergen-free confectionery manufacturer. The first 400 attendees to stop by Gimbal’s table will receive free bags of their famous Gourmet Jelly Beans, featuring 41 mouthwatering flavors. Coupons, as well as the opportunity to enter to win over ten pounds of Gourmet Jelly Beans, will also be available.

Gimbal’s is one of the only major confectionery manufacturers in the country that is free of the eight major food allergens, which are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. These specific ingredients are responsible for over 90 percent of all allergic food reactions and are not included in any Gimbal’s recipes, nor are they are permitted inside their production and packaging facilities, eliminating potential risk of cross-contamination.

“Hardly a week goes by without us receiving phone calls and letters with heartfelt thanks from parents whose children suffer from food allergies,” said Karin Vollrath, sales and marketing director for Gimbal’s Fine Candies. “We believe that everyone, including those who suffer from food allergies, should be able to enjoy delicious candy without worry. We are happy that we can make this small, but important, difference in people’s lives”.

In addition to safe food samples, coupons and detailed information on product safety and benefits from other companies will also be given to attendees. Allergists will be on-hand to answer any questions at the “Ask the Doctor” booth, and there will be featured activities such as craft projects from KIDCREATE STUDIO and a silent auction to support FASGMN’s efforts to strengthen families and communities affected by food allergies.

Gimbal’s Fine Candies can be found at many major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, K-Mart, Rite Aid and Big Lots and online at www.gimbalscandy.com.

About Gimbal’s Fine Candies
Gimbal’s Fine Candies was founded in 1898 by Alexander Gimbal in bustling downtown San Francisco and four generations later, all of the staff at Gimbal’s remains just as passionate about quality and innovation as it was over 100 years ago. All of Gimbal’s Fine Candies are proudly made in the USA, are free of the Major 8 food allergens that comprise 90% of food allergies and are certified Kosher Pareve by the Orthodox Union. Gimbal’s Fine Candies supports food allergy awareness nationwide and provides free samples, when available, to nonprofit organizations working on behalf of those suffering from food allergies.