Gluten-Free Bakery Brings Quality Eats to the South Shore

For those of us who suffer from food allergies, gastro-intestinal disturbances and diseases of the digestive system, the right foods, which inhibit the irritation we experience, can be a godsend! So it is a real boon to anybody who suffers these problems to know that a short five minute drive to Randolph will deliver you to ALLCANEAT Bakery and Cafe at 937 North Main St.

ALLCANEAT Foods Ltd. opened it's doors a mere 15 months ago and business has been uphill since then. In this economy that is an anomaly!

Owned by five partners – Geoge Moufarrej, Diane Sterrett, Andre Summers, David George and Richard Black – this is a business which truly meets a need in the marketplace for gluten-free and allergenic-free that taste terrific. The business has grown from its original incarnation as a Walpole bakery, to become a manufacturer of a full-line of products available wholesale, to grocery stores and restaurants!

George Moufarrej, the CEO of the company sat down with me recently to tell the story of ALLCANEAT Foods, Ltd.

"I attribute my love of baking and experimenting with recipes to my nother," Moufarrej said.

From a very early age, Moufarrej, who came to this country from Lebanon when he was 18 years old, found his bliss in assisting with recipes in his mother's kitchen. This eventually led to a career in the dairy industry working for a corporate manufacturing firm which specialized in cheeses and ice cream. Following this, George then caught the entrepreneurial bug and set off on his own opening his first bakery with partner, Diane Sterrett in Walpole.

"People really embraced what we had to offer and we began experimenting with recipes that would fill peoples' request for nut-free and gluten-free breads and bakery items," he said.

The bakery became wildly successful and people would actually travel to access the products or ask for shipment of the bakery items.

Ultimately, the need to find a much larger operating location became apparent. Enter the 35,000 square foot bakery and food manufacturing plant formerly owned by Zeppy's Bagel bakery for about 40 years. It had become vacant when the owners decided to retire. The Randolph location is now a full-fledged gluten-free food production plant, employing between eight to 15 workers at any given time.

"We are now wholesaling to places like Good Health in Quincy and Whole Foods Market in various locations," Moufarrej said, "and seeking to expand our footprint."

Even Easy Pie, a pizza shop at 1701 Washington St. in Braintree uses the gluten-free dough of ALLCANEAT Ltd. Indeed, the five owners are seeking private investors currently in order to bring their operations to an even higher level.

ALLCANEAT Ltd.'s goal is to provide the public with the ability to prepare their own gluten-free and allergen free recipes with things like breads, pie shells, pizza doughs, grains, flours and mixes as well as offering prepared dinner-meal items. The choices can be viewed on-line at www.allcaneatbakery.com.

In this era of big food companies that jump on the latest food-fad du jour, All Can Eat Foods has been researching and test-marketing their product far longer than most companies that proclaim their "gluten free" status. ALLCANEAT's product is "100% gluten, soy, peanut and sesame-free." It also offer dairy, egg and yeast free foods. Furthermore, it does not use any genetically modified ingredients, artificial food coloring or flavoring.

And yes, the food is delicious! I have sampled cupcakes, scones, chicken and tuna sandwiches and pizza and nothing tastes strange or has a weird consistency! My next choice will be the steak tips! The bakery case is stuffed with delicious offering, which put the average bakery to shame, and the menu has all of the calorie counts/meal choice listed-a real plus for people who are watching their weight!

The store hours are breakfast Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and Sun 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Lunch is served Mon-Fri 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sat 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The retail store stays open until 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

In these tough economic times, George Moufarrej sees the answer in creating jobs to stimulate the economy. "As ALLCANEAT expands, we will be hiring even more local people to help us to realize our capacity," he aid.

"Our products are for the whole family to enjoy, not just the person with Celiac disease of other digestive issues. The food is healthful and delicious, so that everybody benefits!"

A business model that helps people with gastro-intestinal diseases, encourages healthy eating, employs people in a sinking economy and cares about the community? Wow. As businesses go, it doesn't get any better than that!