Frozen food distributor Central Foods urges foodservice operators to plan for Coeliac UK Awareness week 2017

Coeliac UK will be launching a new campaign and urging foodservice operators to make a small but significant change to menus to join the Gluten Freevolution.

The charity points out that more than 90% of those on a gluten-free diet eat out at least once a month – and of course they often dine with others - and estimate that there are now over 1.3 million Britons or 3% of British adults following a gluten-free diet.

Coeliac UK is asking food businesses and services to show their support by making a positive change to their menu or product range that will help deliver a Gluten Freevolution. The campaign, which is launching on 8 May 2017 and will run until April 2018, is now taking enquiries from those who want to get involved from the outset.  

Gordon Lauder, MD of frozen food distributor Central Foods, said: “An increasing number of people avoid gluten for health reasons and there’s been a growing demand for foodservice operators to serve items that are gluten-free.

“We are proud to have been supplying the catering industry with frozen, ready-prepared, sweet and savoury gluten-free products since 2009, and to have worked with Coeliac UK to raise awareness about the issue in the industry.

“The gluten-free range that we offer is extensive, including meat products, pizza bases and wraps, cakes, slices and tarts, macarons and desserts.

“While many foodservice operators already include gluten-free items that are suitable for coeliacs on their menus, Coeliac Awareness Week is the chance to offer additional gluten-free items – perhaps as specials or extra dishes. It’s also the chance for operators to consider joining the Gluten Freevolution – a new campaign being launched by Coeliac UK.”

For more details about the campaign, visit https://www.coeliac.org.uk/campaigns-and-research/join-the-gluten-freevolution/

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, it sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.