GLUTEN Free Fortnight Returns to Forth Valley this weekend, with hospitality businesses putting gluten-free on the menu, and the region on the map as a leading destination for gluten-free dining experiences.
Gluten Free Fortnight, which runs from 14 – 29 October in collaboration with Coeliac UK, Forth Valley Food and Drink and The Real Food Café in Tyndrum, aims to raise awareness of coeliac disease and provide specialised training to participating businesses to ensure the safety and quality of their gluten-free offerings.
The campaign will also champion hospitality businesses which offer a range of delicious gluten-free food and drink options for diners living with Coeliac disease and gluten sensitivities.
Coeliac disease affects an estimated 1 in 100 individuals worldwide, with many others actively avoiding gluten due to sensitivities or personal dietary preferences.
Gluten Free Fortnight first launched in 2019 at The Real Food Café in Tyndrum, an A grade Coeliac UK Accredited Caterer that has been serving gluten-free dishes since 2005.
Since then, the campaign has gained momentum and has been recognised for its success, being shortlisted for the Best Marketing Campaign award at the 2023 Cateys Awards, the ‘Oscars’ of the hospitality industry.
The Real Food Café has also this week been given a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, which is given to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on TripAdvisor.
Sarah Heward, owner of The Real Food Café and one of Scotland Food & Drink’s Regional Food Tourism Ambassadors said:
“We are hugely excited about the return of Gluten Free Fortnight; the third annual celebration dedicated to empowering businesses in the Forth Valley region to cater for gluten intolerances, with businesses introducing a range of quality, delicious options for those following a gluten-free diet.”
“This year’s Gluten Free Fortnight is set to be another success, with several businesses in the region taking part; this in itself is reflective of the growing consumer demand for more diverse, specialist and inclusive menus. We plan to run two Gluten Free Fortnight events in 2024 to give more businesses the opportunity to get involved.”
“We started serving gluten-free menu options in 2005 and over the years we’ve seen that people will travel considerable distances to enjoy quality, safe and delicious gluten free meals. We want everyone to enjoy eating out, regardless of dietary requirements so the mission of this campaign is very much to give hospitality businesses the tools and resources they need to provide these options for customers and to put Stirling and Forth Valley on the culinary map as a must visit destination for foodies, at all times of the year.”
“Our partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink C.I.C. has been the foundation of the success of the Gluten Free Fortnight campaign. Together, we are upskilling hospitality staff, promoting caterers that deliver safe and tasty gluten-free food across the region, raising awareness of Coeliac disease and hopefully inspiring more hospitality business across all areas of Scotland to introduce or extend their gluten free menu options.
Gluten Free Forthnight on runs from 14 – 19 October. To learn more about Gluten Free Fortnight and how to get involved, visit the official website at www.glutenfreefortnight.com.
