Our new Gluten Free 100 project aims to increase local knowledge of gluten free practices and create safer eating and drinking experiences across the region for people with coeliac disease.
Carolyn McGill from Forth Valley Food and Drink said: “We’ve teamed up with Coeliac UK to help transform Stirling and the surrounding area into a leading destination for coeliac customers.
“We want to develop Forth Valley’s reputation as a region known for both its choice of inspiring venues and its commitment to offering safe gluten free food and drink experiences.”
The project will allow businesses to access gluten free training from as little as £20.
The scheme is already proving popular, as Carolyn explained: “The initiative has been very well received so far. In fact, a quarter of the spaces available have already been snapped up!”
Businesses who sign-up by the end of August will also be invited to participate in this year’s Gluten Free Fortnight (14 – 30 October 2022); a festival launched in 2019 by The Real Food Café, Tyndrum.
Since becoming a Gluten Free Accredited business, a scheme run by Coeliac UK, the café has drawn customers from across the UK seeking a safe gluten free dining experience.
The Café’s Founder, Sarah Heward said: “Confidence in a premises serving safe and tasty food is a real draw and we’re not only attracting Coeliac customers; they’re bringing their friends and family along too.”
Coeliac UK’s training course is designed with the hospitality industry in mind; the course can be completed online and takes just 1.5 hours to complete, while covering all the key aspects relating to gluten free catering.
Helen North, Director of Commercial Services for Coeliac UK said: “We are delighted to be working together with Forth Valley Food and Drink and The Real Food Café to improve the experience for gluten free diners. Being gluten free because of coeliac disease is not a choice so having confidence that a caterer is following best practise takes away the anxiety of eating out.”
To express an interest in the scheme email hello@forthvalleyfoodanddrink.org for full details.
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