What would you do?

[rpf1007]

I wanted to get some other people's opinion on this....

I have a conference for work that I am going to in March. It is not required, but I really feel like I need to go. The problem is that it is 5 days long and everything is included in the overall price of the conference (all meals, snacks etc and hotel, plus the cost of the conference itself). I emailed the person in charge and asked about dietary restrictions. In the original info they basically said that they would try and accommodate all dietary restrictions but couldn't 100 % guarantee that everyone's different "preferences" would be met. I basically phrased the email saying that I had Celiac disease and need to adhere to a STRICT Gluten free diet. I said that I totally understand if this can not be accommodated, but that I would of course need some advance notice so I could plan appropriately. I also asked if they could not accommodate me, if there would be a reduction in the fee as all meals are included.

I got the response back that she spoke with the chef at the hotel, and they should be able to accommodate me. And there is no reduction in fee if they can't.

Obviously I'm nervous...they SHOULD be able to- what does that mean? I have some time...it's not until march. I will of course call myself and talk to them. I'm worried that since all the food will be buffet and stuff that they will expect me to be fine with say eating the cheese and fruit when it is touching the crackers etc etc. Are they actually going to plate something for me separately. When they serve cookies and granola bars for snacks, will I actually have an alternative...doubt it. I don't really expect them to accommodate a strict dietary issue, but I'm kind of perturbed that they will be charging me full price even if the food isn't safe for me. That's the part that is annoying.

I was complaining about it to my friend and playing devil's advocate he said...well why should they (accommodate me), it's not like this is a requirement...you don't have to go.

The only thing that is making me feel a little better is that the course is in Gainesville, FL and my parents live in Jacksonville, FL so if I'm dying for food and run out of snacks I at least know that help is not too far away.

The hours of the course are pretty long, like 7a-8p every day, so it's not like I can whip out somewhere easily if I get stuck. Plus I guess I won't have a car.

Anyway, just curious what other people thought.
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Rachel

[Gus's Mama]

Wow--that's a tough one.

Is the conference going to take place in the same hotel where you'll be staying? If so, you could bring a tote bag full of pre-packaged meals, House of Thai instant noodles, and other GF snacks, juice boxes, etc. Put what you'll need for the day in your day bag/backpack, and if you need anything else, it'll be just up the elevator.

If you aren't staying in the same hotel, you can still do the same thing, you just won't have your backup snacks right upstairs.

I know that's a long time to be eating pre-packaged convenience foods.... ...
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Deb
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SPD Little Boy, Gus: Getting better by the day! Improved digestion, skin issues clearing, able to focus and follow instructions, talking (the boy is TALKING!!!)

[The Edifying Conscience]

I would go. I would request a room with a refrigerator and a microwave. I would also check a cooler full of frozen meals when I fly. Then when I get to Florida I would go to Whole Foods and pick up anything else I might need. Then I would plunk down in my hotel, enjoy the conference and eat safe food during breaks. You might even find that you can safely eat some food provided (yogurt, fresh fruit, etc).

The company isn't sending you so you can eat the food. They're sending you so you can gain knowledge, network, etc. The cost of the food is much less than the benefit they'll have you gain by attending.

I can't believe how many times I wrote I would.

[nancw]

I agree w/ TEC, though it's a pain the rear, it's the only way to eat safe. Consider, though, that extra baggage fees are so outrageous that you may better off doing all of your shopping upon arrival.
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[rpf1007]

I should have also mentioned that I'm paying for this very expensive five day course out of my own pocket (long story and hard to explain) so that is why I was kind of bummed that they wouldn't lower the fee if you weren't going to eat. If work was paying for it I wouldn't really be worried about that part and just bring my own food to supplement food that is safe (if any). I'm really hoping I can get access to a microwave. I hate to survive on Thai kitchen noodles etc for that long, but it will do.

Nance- very good idea about the groceries. I'm going to actually go to my parent's place before hand and there is a WF there, so I can get some stuff in FL that I won't have to travel with. Actually I can probably make a couple of meals at my parents' place too to bring with. If I can't get access to a microwave I'll be in trouble.

Thanks for all your thoughts.
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Rachel

[Kathie]

[rpf1007]

Thanks Kathie...actually near where my parents are (just south of Jacksonville), they JUST got a WF last year. I went to it last Christmas. At least I know there is stuff around before I get there. They also have a pretty good health food store- Native Sun I think? It has some good stuff too.
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Rachel

[cultureslayer]

Call and talk with the hotel's restaurant manager, bring enough food to eat the whole time and if they say they may not be able to accommodate your diet then request they give you a room with a microwave at the same cost since they are unable to provide a different service you are paying for. Speak with a manager if you have to, but a manager should realize the cost of upgrading your room is far cheaper than the liability they would incur from forcing you to eat food you can not have for medical reasons.
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Lauren
Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

[Kathie]

[jeant]

If it were me, I would try everything I could think of to get a reduction in the rate so that I could just eat all my meals alone. If you haven't done so already, ask to speak to a general manager who might have the power to reduce fees. Explain the situation to him/her, and really make it clear how difficult it is to cook GF. Maybe once they understand how inconvenient it might be for them to have to thoroughly clean every piece of cookware, utensil, etc., they might consider the rate reduction.

If I couldn't get a rate reduction, I would push for having some whole and prepackaged foods made available to me. TEC already mentioned yogurt and whole fresh fruit, and you could add some other things to request such as string cheese, tuna and chicken pouches, and prepackaged GF foods. As far as I know, celiac falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and you might want to mention that so that they feel like they really do need to accommodate you.

If you cannot get a room with a microwave, see if you can use a microwave in the lobby or kitchen but bring your own microwavable bowl and cover to avoid contamination. Another option would to bring a hot pot. I use one that has no exposed coils and is designed to use for cooking. You could make everything from oatmeal to boil-in-a-bag rice to heating up canned goods or foods that are in pouches.

I hope somehow this all get figured out so that you are able to just enjoy the conference!

[Fidissimus]

First off I would call and speak with the kitchen at the hotel to see exactly how aware they are of eating truly GF and what all that implies.

Second if you're officially dx'd I would get a note from your doctor explaining that you CANNOT eat gluten under any circumstances. Give this to the people you've been communicating with at the conference to help them understand that your not eating the provided meals isn't actually a "preference" but more along the lines of a medical condition. See if they will discount you the meals. Again they might not because there's no way to prove (to them) one way or another if you're eating the provided food. Still it might be worth a try.
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Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

[jsb]

No specific advice for the conference, but I'm in Gainesville, and I can recommend some local restaurants with GF options. There is also a local natural foods store called Mother Earth which has many GF options. There are some Publixes with better/more gf selections than others - where is your hotel?
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Jen
GF since 10/07

[HadassahSukkot]

[rpf1007]

Thanks for all your replies!

I'm really bad with any type of uncertainty when it come to food- like most of us here I think. Whenever people say "it shouldn't be a problem"...like it is no big deal...I interpret it as..."You have no idea...It will be a problem and I will get sick". So I'm very hesitant to say the least. Even things that are safe that are on a buffet type of setting freaks me out (except maybe bananas/oranges or something else I have to peel).

I actually do have an official dx...and have a note from my doc that I was going to use for tax purposes last year but didn't. I didn't think of using that. I think the re-imbursement situation is never going to work...which irritates me...but hopefully if I can have access to a microwave and it will be ok.

Jen- the conference is at the UF Hilton. Thanks for the heads-up on the health food store.

I guess very worst case scenario (ie-no microwave)...I survive on fruit, nuts, string cheese and Chex!

Thanks again everyone.
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Rachel

[HadassahSukkot]