Stirling and Forth Valley Gluten-Free Fortnight returns for its fourth year, bringing awareness, training, and eating opportunities to residents and visitors in the wider Forth Valley area.
Stirling and Forth Valley Gluten-Free Fortnight will take place from the 14th to 30th October 2022. The event, originally launched by the Real Food Café in Tyndrum in 2019, and now in partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink, highlights local eateries and producers who are providing fantastic gluten-free food in the area.
The event also involves gluten-free food workshops, demonstrations, and special gluten-free menus in participating food outlets, such as the Real Food Café, the Fintry Inn, the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha, and the Brig O’Turk Tearoom.
“Over the years we have learned that there is a growing desire for businesses to cater to gluten intolerances and we know that people will travel far and wide to get their hands on quality, safe and delicious gluten free meals.
“The aim of this campaign is to give Forth Valley businesses the tools and resources they need to back the campaign and build our reputation as a region producing quality produce for those following a gluten free diet across Scotland and beyond.” – Sara Heward – Founder and owner of The Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum
Gluten-Free Fortnight is made possible by the support of suppliers in the Forth Valley, along with partner organisations: Coeliac UK; Golden Sheaf Batter Mixes; Bellfield Brewery; Greencity Wholefoods; and Nairn’s.
During the summer of 2022, more than 100 people and 26 businesses and organisations took part in online training to upskill kitchen and front of house teams. This was part of an initiative from Forth Valley Food and Drink and Coeliac UK to provide training on the reality of Coeliac Disease, which is a lifelong autoimmune disease that affects 1 in 100 people in the UK.
By giving businesses the opportunity to take part in online learning, producers and eateries in the Forth Valley have a better understanding of what it means to be gluten-free, and how to offer delicious, safe alternatives to their customers.
Gluten-Free Fortnight is one of the ways in which Forth Valley Food and Drink aims to improve access to excellent quality, local food in the wider area, and to position Forth Valley as a leading food and drink destination for tourists. By promoting the benefits of buying locally for the economy and environment, Forth Valley Food and Drink will help to create robust food systems that benefit the community overall.