RAW News

Though Wholly Tomato recently closed, Colorado's overall gluten- free biz has boomed in the past year as public awareness of celiac disease has grown. Celiac disease, which might affect as much as 1 percent of the population, triggers a host of digestive problems when gluten is consumed. Problems with gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt and, arguably, oats) also are implicated in disorders from acne to cancer.

Here's a taste of what's been happening among area producers of gluten-free food in the past year.

Deby's Gluten Free Gourmet, 2369 S. Trenton Way, 303-283- 4060, debysglutenfree.com

Deby's Web business has increased by 65 percent since May 2006, and it has shipped its goods to all 50 states. Its products also are sold at Naturally Organic, 5470 S. Parker Road, Aurora, 303-400-1150, and at two new retail outlets in Colorado: Gluten Freedom, 394 Neptune Court, Littleton (near C-470 and Quebec Street), 303-725- 6439, glutenfreedomllc.com; and Nancy Lou's Gluten Free Goodies Inc., 1621 Holeman Drive, Erie, 303-664-5468.

Gluten-Free Pastry Chef, 3549 Columbia Drive, Longmont, 303-684-9772, gfpastrychef.com

Melissa Degen has celiac disease, and so do her two children. Gluten-Free Pastry came onto the scene in October after Degen realized the limitations of existing gluten-free foods.Goods from Gluten-Free Pastry Chef are sold via the Web site or or phone.

RAW, 3531 S. Logan St., Englewood, 303-921-0220, doughraw me.com

RAW has been producing organic whole-wheat and spelt pizza doughs for three years. Its new organic white flour and organic, gluten-free pizza dough will join its other products in the freezer section of area Whole Foods stores in June.

Rheinlander Bakery, 5721 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, 303-467-1810 or 1-866-479-2253, sweetdeliverance.com, wheatfree food.com

In 2001, Rheinlander Bakery owner Maro Dimmer was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She decided to fight it by changing her diet, first by dropping sugar, then wheat. In 2003, when low-carb was all the rage, the bakery started a gluten-free line.

Dimmer's cancer went into remission, but she still didn't feel good. Her doctors looked at her again and found celiac disease.

Her husband, Ed Dimmer, who co-owns the bakery, grew up around the business and earned a degree in chemistry from the University of Colorado. He used that background to develop Rheinlander's gluten-free buns and breads.

In October, Rheinlander bought out Boulderite and retired snowboard champion Kyla Duffy, who had developed the Spring Bakehouse line of gluten-free food after being diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003. In April, the Dimmers rolled out six all-natural, organic cookie and cake mixes in the Celia's Gourmet line.

Gluten-free products baked by Rheinlander are available at the bakery, through the Web and at Vitamin Cottage stores.

WaterCourse Bakery, 214 E. 13th Ave, 303-318-9843, watercourse foods.com

A little over a year ago, WaterCourse Bakery added gluten-free baked goods to its repertoire. It offers gluten-free frosted-sugar and chocolate-chip cookies, muffins and devil's food, carrot and lemon cake.

XDC Confections, 4328 W. 35th Ave., 303-477-3574, xdc- confections.com

XDC Confections opened in October 2005 as an all-natural, conventional bakery.

"But it seemed that practically everyone who came through the door wanted gluten-free baked goods," said owner Dana Hodges.

Hodges decided to go completely gluten-free and was able to convert all the recipes within six months.

XDC products - including cinnamon rolls, bread, brownies, fruit turnovers and wedding cakes - are available at the bakery and will be sold at farmers' markets at Elitch Gardens, Belmar, Civic Center, Green Valley Ranch and Southlands this summer.