Spelt Right Bakery offers new hope

(NECN: Marnie MacLean, Yarmouth, Maine) - A small bakery celebrated a big victory on Friday, as the bagels and breads made at Spelt Right Bakery will now be sold throughout New England. More than just helping her bottom line, Beth George hoped it would offer people with wheat allergies a chance to go back to bread. As an attorney, Beth George was used to proofing her briefs. Now, she proofs dough as the owner of the Spelt Right Bakery in Yarmouth, Maine. Beth's 11-year-old son, Spencer, is a regular helper and the inspiration for a business born out of necessity. "Starting from a little baby, Spencer had stomach problems -- even before he could eat he had sensitivities," George said. As Spencer got older, she noticed more serious physical and behavioral problems. His ears would get bright red, he would clench his fists, spin and moan. Schools and specialists all said something was wrong -- perhaps a sensory disorder or a form of autism. "When someone tells you that about your child, it is the most devastating thing you can feel," George said. She felt strongly drugs were not the answer. Someone suggested she change his diet. When they removed wheat along with artificial colors and preservatives they noticed a huge change. The skeptical lawyer started to research and said she found years worth of studies about the harmful effects wheat and other food products can have on some children. Problem was, eliminating wheat meant Spencer had to give up his favorite food. So, Beth started to make her own bagels and breads using an heirloom grain called spelt. It is a form of wheat, but is far easier for many people to digest. Rather than just help her own son, Beth realized spelt might help others. "If I start a company base it on a wonderful product and a wonderful message we can use it to send a message," George said. She said her spelt is helping, e-mails she gets around the country from people who say her story is their story. She no longer practices law, but Beth said she is still an advocate for children; she just decided on a change of venue.