For Lindsey Bockhorst, living in Fishers is definitely a different way of life after growing up in Boston and living in New York City. In fact, it was in New York City where she met her husband, Matt, who brought her to the Midwest, and it was Matt’s job that connected her to Living Without’s Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest.
Lindsey has been married to Matt for four years. They have a 2 ½-year-old and a newborn. Needless to say, they are quite busy. After moving to Fishers three years ago, Lindsey decided to be a stay-at-home mom, but still continued to do freelance public relations and marketing. Matt’s job that brought them to Indiana was with Boar’s Head, which happens to have gluten-free products, and is what led to Lindsey’s connection with Shelia Cafferty and Living Without’s Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest.
Shelia Cafferty, who is gluten intolerant and has a nursing background, started the Gluten-Free Living Now Expo four years ago. It is a not-for-profit business that started as a local grassroots expo and has grown tremendously over the years. This could be due in part to the many people who have been diagnosed with celiac, gluten sensitivities, or gluten intolerance, or who are just wanting a healthier lifestyle.
Enter Lindsey, who became involved last year when her husband’s company was asked to be a sponsor at the Expo. She started working PR and marketing for the show, which included advertising, social medial and press releases. However, she didn’t stop there. You might be familiar with the magazine Living Without, which just changed its name to Living Without’s Gluten Free & More. It is a national publication that not only caters to those with celiac, gluten intolerance, and gluten sensitivities, but also to those who have other types of food allergies. Having been diagnosed myself as having celiac, I have been a subscriber for years. Living Without, which is based out of Norwalk, CT, is not known to go around buying small expos. According to Lindsey, “Last October, Living Without became interested in getting into the consumer show world.” Lindsey was instrumental in this process, which took a few months, as she helped pitch (PR-wise) the idea of having Living Without buy Indianapolis’ expo.
Not only did they buy Indianapolis’ show, they expanded to include other shows across the country. They just had a show in San Diego in May, and they will be having a show in Portland, Oregon in September. In 2015, they have seven shows planned, which will keep Lindsey busy, as she is continuing to work under the Living Without umbrella as Public Relations, Marketing, and Volunteer Coordinator. Each year, the Fest has grown, and this year it will be held at the State Fairgrounds since outgrowing The Fountains in Carmel. The vendors have increased, too, from 80 last year to 100 this year. Not only did the name change this year, but also new at Living Without’s Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest will be an authors’ and bloggers’ booth at every show, which Lindsey was responsible for adding.
Lindsey herself does not need to eat gluten-free; however, after working in the gluten-free community, she has learned a lot about the implications of gluten and has taken a different approach to how she and her family eat. Lindsey has realized that her quiet Midwest life has become a lot busier than what she had imagined, but she said she wouldn’t change a thing.
Living Without’s Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest Info
*August 23-24 Sat.,Sun. 10-4 p.m.
Indiana State Fairgrounds
1202 East 38th St.
Indianapolis, In 46205-2869
*Adult $15 (one day)
*Adult $25 (two days)
*Child $5 (one day)
*Child $7.50 (two days)
*5 and under, free
*Senior & Military Personnel $12 (one day)
*Senior & Military Personnel $20 (two days)
*Exhibitors: Schar, Enjoy Life, Green Bean Delivery, Marsh, Kroger, Smith & Forge Hard Cider, and more!
