Category: Resources

Upcoming Celiac Disease Events: A Roundup from National Organizations

Living gluten-free doesn’t mean navigating it alone. National celiac and gluten-free advocacy organizations run a steady stream of webinars, support meetups, fundraisers, and in-person gatherings all year long — many of them free and open to anyone, no matter where you live. Here’s a roundup of what’s coming up from the biggest organizations. Bookmark the calendar links below, since new dates get added monthly.

Roundup current as of July 2026. Always confirm times and registration details on the organization’s own event page.

Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF)

CDF runs one of the most active and reliably updated events calendars of the national groups, with a strong mix of free webinars, advocacy days, and support meetups — nearly all virtual.

Upcoming individual events:

  • School Support Session — monthly, next on August 5, 2026 (then Sept 1, Oct 7, Nov 3, Dec 2). An expert walks through 504 plans, federal disability law, and getting school accommodations for kids with celiac disease.
  • Foundations of Celiac Disease education series — CDF’s free, multi-session series for anyone navigating a new or ongoing celiac diagnosis. Sessions run through the fall:
    • Part 5: Psychosocial Aspects of Celiac Disease — July 9, 2026
    • Part 1: Introduction to Celiac Disease & the Gluten-Free Diet — August 6, 2026
    • Part 2: Celiac Disease & Cross Contact — August 13, 2026
    • Part 3: Follow-Up Care for Celiac Disease — August 27, 2026
    • Part 4: Optimizing Nutrition on a Gluten-Free Diet — September 3, 2026
    • Part 5 (encore): Psychosocial Aspects of Celiac Disease — September 10, 2026
  • Living with Celiac Disease Virtual Meet-Up — monthly, next on July 16 (then Aug 20, Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 12, Dec 17). An open, expert-guided peer support session.
  • From Fog to Focus: Culinary Strategies for Brain Health in Celiac Disease — August 3, 2026. A nutrition-focused webinar on the celiac–brain fog connection.
  • Mindful Meals, Meaningful Change: Weight Management in Celiac Disease — October 6, 2026. Dietitian-led guidance on building balanced meals and a healthier relationship with food.
  • The Missing Ingredient: How to Get Enough Fiber on a Gluten-Free Plate — December 1, 2026.

Full calendar: celiac.org/get-involved/events

National Celiac Association (NCA)

The NCA frequently hosts educational webinars alongside a dedicated array of recurring virtual support meetings to keep you connected year-round.

Recurring national programs:

  • Virtual monthly support group: Living Gluten-Free — second Tuesday of each month, 7–8 pm ET, open conversation for anyone regardless of chapter affiliation.
  • NCA Tennessee/Vanderbilt Celiac Center young adult (18+) peer support group — also monthly, virtual, geared toward young adults connecting with others navigating celiac disease.
  • “All Things Celiac” webinar series, co-hosted with the Harvard Medical School Celiac Education & Research Program — periodic expert-led sessions; recordings posted on NCA’s webinars page.

Full calendar: https://nationalceliac.org/nca-events/

Beyond Celiac

Beyond Celiac focuses heavily on scientific advancement and reaching a cure. Their programming highlights clinical trial insights, local community meetups, and direct access to researchers.

Ongoing programs:

  • Step Beyond Celiac — a virtual fundraising 5K/fun run, participate from anywhere.
  • Research Events — periodic Research Summits and public symposiums on celiac treatment research.
  • Town Halls — periodic community Q&A sessions.

Full calendar: beyondceliac.org/get-involved/upcoming

Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG)

Widely recognized for their food safety certification programs, GIG provides community outreach events ranging from youth-focused programs to specialized health webinars.

Full news/events page: gluten.org/news-events

FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education)

FARE isn’t celiac-specific, but as the largest food allergy organization in the US, its programming often overlaps with gluten-free living — helpful if you are managing celiac disease alongside other food allergies.

Full calendar: https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/education-programs-training/fare-webinars

Celiac Cruise

Not a nonprofit, but a well-known name in the community: fully gluten-free cruise sailings run in partnership with Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, and AmaWaterways, with a dedicated GF galley, dining room, and onboard programming.

Celiac Cruise also partners with the Celiac Disease Foundation onboard to support food-insecurity work.

All sailings: celiaccruise.com

International Celiac Disease Symposium

International Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (ISSCD) hosts a biennial professional/patient hybrid symposium bringing together researchers, clinicians, and junior investigators from around the world.

International Celiac Disease Symposium — Melbourne, Australia – November 17–20, 2026.

Stay Connected, Stay Empowered

These events are a great way to learn something new, meet others who understand the gluten‑free lifestyle, and stay informed about research and advocacy. If you attend any of these sessions, we’d love to hear what you learned so we can share it with the group.

Leave a comment below so we can add it to our next meeting round-up.

RUST BELT RIDERS

https://www.rustbeltriders.com

HELLO ALL! This post is not about gluten free except for the weekly can I dump at the RBR collection site:). There are over 40 of them in Cuyahoga County

If you do not already know about RBR, and you cook at home to handle your diet, which many of us do, you may be interested in the collection or drop off sites for your household food waste.

From the RBR webpage…..

We are a Worker-Owned cooperative dedicated to climate resilience, food autonomy, and workplace democracy.

Our mission is to “Feed People, Not Landfills”

We do this by providing people, organizations and businesses a composting solution for their food waste. This organic material is made into compost which serves as the base for our soil blends, that in turn nourishes the very food that we grow within our region. 

This is our commitment to a circular, regional economy with roots firmly planted in solidarity, autonomy and connection.

We believe the work we do is as important as how we do it, practicing workplace democracy while engaging with this mission.

Update from Mariann…..I’ve been a member of RBR composting program since its inception with residential collection – about 8 years. I believe strongly in not discarding food waste in landfills. #1. food waste is material gold for reconditioning our soils. RBR turns that waste into soil. #2. Our food, especially plant material, is full of water. I do not want water discarded into landfills where it is then captured and imprisoned. Water is just too valuable a resource.

RBR is currently in discussions with area communities in Cuyahoga County to contract for municipal compost collection. If you live in Beachwood, Shaker, University Heights or Cleveland Hts. connect with your community’s waste department to see if they are participating or will participate soon. Otherwise, check out the drop off sites, sign up to be a member and begin to collect your food waste.

It’s Only Fair, LLC

East, West, South, Downtown, Mobile

https://streetfoodfinder.com/ItsonlyFair

Food trailer serving classic fair favorites that just happen to be gluten free. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Hello GF’ers! Happy New Year to you and yours! This post is just a sample of what we have to look forward to this coming summer!

!AS ALWAYS – BE YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE!

See this message from Carrie, Owner/Operator of It’s Only Fair, LLC

The flours that we use are mainly rice and tapioca. We expect to be all over Northeast Ohio, mainly Cuyahoga County.

We are currently looking to book events for 2025, but nothing scheduled yet.

I was diagnosed with celiac in 2024 but gluten free since 2023.

I was tired of only having a few safe places to eat and wanted to provide a gluten free food that isn’t being done, which just happened to be food that takes everyone back to their summer childhood days.

The best part of everything is seeing people’s happy faces when they are able to eat something that they haven’t had in years, or ever. 

Here’s a glance at the menu

Celiac Project Podcast

https://www.celiacproject.com/the-podcast/

AKA………2 Guys Talking Gluten Free

Since 2016, Michael and Cam meet up each week to discuss issues surrounding CeD (lifted this abbreviation from one of the recent on-line conferences/symposiums) You can find the episodes at their website as well as at your favorite app – Apple podcasts, Spotify etc……

Why? What? Where? When? How? These questions and more are addressed by the hosts, their guests, and other contributors. Some of the guests are fellow CeD folks, some are NCGS, other autoimmune folks for whom the g-f diet is a remedy, doctors, dietitians, support group facilitators, service dog trainers, chefs and more!

There are currently 370 episodes. I started listening in at #1 and in the past month have listened to the first 80 episodes. Here’s some of the things I learned that I had not known before – even after reading numerous research documents and website searches for over 16 years diagnosed and following a gluten free diet……

What does gluten withdrawal feel like? Mar 29, 2011. posted at beyondceliac.org

When gluten is withdrawn abruptly from the diet, certain susceptible individuals may experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, including, but not limited to, nausea, extreme hunger, anxiety, depression and dizziness.

What happens when you cheat on the gluten free diet? Info edited from the post of May 2019. posted at glutenfreeliving.com

You will NOT feel well! PLUS, you will continue to experience withdrawal if you are susceptible to that. see above note

You will not feel well!

Your system will be in a constant state of battle . You set off inflammation throughout the entire body. Inflammation affects every aspect of the body and is particularly difficult for the areas that have been the most stressed.

You prolong gut recovery!

Damage to the intestinal villi cannot be healed, cheating prevents individuals from absorbing essential nutrients. Since 70 percent of the immune system lies in your digestive tract, gut health needs to be a priority, not an afterthought.

You may lose support!

Friends and family are less likely to support you if they see you cheating. Why should they bother preparing gluten-free food or frequent restaurants with gluten-free menus if, in the end, you are going to eat whatever you want? A support system is vital to your success, so don’t let them watch you fail.

You could develop cancer!

According to a 2013 study conducted at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, noncompliant celiac sufferers (cheaters) with unhealed small intestines have a higher risk of developing lymphoma (a type of blood cancer). “Celiac patients with persistent villous atrophy—as seen on follow-up biopsy—have an increased risk of lymphoma, while those with healed intestines have a risk that is significantly lower, approaching that of the general population,” said Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, MS.

And a special thank you to my dear fellow CeD friend Diane for sharing the Celiac Project Podcast with me.

There is also a Celiac Project documentary, created by Michael, for which our group will sponsor a watch party in the future for everyone interested in attending.

There are so many other things I’ve learned and am studying further after listening to the 2 Guys Talking gluten free. I’ll be posting more in the weeks ahead to share but for now – signing off.

This is how we support each other, create a connection, and advance education!