Personal journey led to gluten-free, healthy food enterprise

Craig McDonald Newark Advocate

Published 2:25 p.m. UTC Jul 4, 2018

Editor’s Note: To mark the 25th anniversary of the Granville Farmers Market, each week, The Sentinel is spotlighting a different participating market vendor.

One of the popular regulars at the Granville Farmer’s Market for about the past five years is Jen Cuevas’ “The Gluten & Grain Free Gourmet,” touting, “Your Healthy Life Can Still Be Delicious!”

Cuevas, a speaker, writer and transformation coach with expertise in gluten free and paleo foods, is dedicated to turning her personal experience and health trials into a transformative opportunity for others.

In addition to Saturday Farmers Markets in the Village, she can also be found at the New Albany Farmers Market, the Canal Farmers Market, and her items are available at Dizurts Bakery, located at 381 S. 30th Street in Heath.

According to Cuevas, her products “also contain no grains (corn, rice, etc.), soy, dairy, peanuts or refined sugars, and are made in a dedicated gluten, grain and soy free facility considered Celiac-friendly.”

Her products also run the range of “Keto, paleo, primal, egg-free/vegan.”

Cuevas grew up in Granville, but has based her operation in Heath.

The business grew out of what she describes as her personal “health journey.”

She said her health was failing and she went to several doctors. After seeing about eight different physicians, one suggested she try a gluten-free diet.

She said he did that for about nine months, but without much success or change. There was even a concern she might be at risk for a cardiac event.

Cuevas remembered, “He (the doctor) then said, ‘I think you need to be really strict and gluten free.’ He said, ‘One crumb can set you back.’”

She went on a strict diet and within a week, “I knew he was right,” she said. She also went grain free and eventually became a coach to others, but she was frustrated with available food options.

“The more I was in it,” she said, “the more I realized there was nothing in the market.”

So, she started her own company. Now, in addition to her outlets through her Heath base and various farmers markets, she is also a food provider to Denison University.

To learn more about the The Gluten & Grain Free Gourmet, go to ggfgourmet.com or email info@ggfgroumet.com

Note: Because of the continuing July 4 Granville Kiwanis Celebration, the Granville Farmer’s Market will be relocating to the parking lot of St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 785 Newark-Granville Road, for the July 7 market.

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