Ambler, PA (January 25, 2010)- As the food service industry continues to mainstream gluten-free
foods and menus, the Gluten Free Resource Education and Awareness Training (GREAT) program
has become a decided advantage for businesses looking to enter the market.
Created and developed by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA), GREAT is
a comprehensive educational tool to educate food service and hospitality industry
professionals about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet; assisting professionals in the
execution and marketing of safe gluten-free alternatives, and helping businesses gain
consumer trust and loyalty.
Numerous trade reports list the diet among the top industry developments for the coming
year including The National Restaurant Association’s annual “What’s Hot” Top 20 Trends for
2010, Restaurants & Institutions (R&I) ‘20 Menu Trends’ for 2010, and The Food Channel’s
yearly top 10 food trends to watch list.
Demand stems largely from the growing number of Americans diagnosed with celiac
disease and gluten intolerance, which estimates suggest affect about 1 in every 100
individuals. Due to the life long gluten-free dietary needs of this community, market research
reports forecast double digit growth in the gluten-free sector, and the market to reach $2.6
billion by 2012.
“The GREAT program provides an invaluable resource to restaurants,” said Alice Bast,
President of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. “Upon completion of the
program, restaurants will see growth in business, customer loyalty and notoriety within the
celiac community.”
GREAT is a full service program dedicated to getting a gluten-free process into the hands of
those intending to serve gluten-free products and menus. The program details the complete
implementation of a gluten-free protocol from staff training, logistics, and consultation to
menu creation and product referrals.
GREAT offers a systematic approach to using gluten-free ingredients and preventing cross
contamination. Through a few simple lessons, GREAT provides professionals with a protocol
that can be applied to any kitchen or gluten-free meal plan.
The multi-media GREAT program includes bilingual teaching manuals, online lessons, webbased
examination, and tailored presentations materials used in house to educate all staff at
every level. GREAT is a credentialed that provides continuing education credits for members
of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
Over 200 restaurants, individuals, and institutions have received GREAT Training since the
program launched in 2008, making it the most popular and successful gluten-free education
and training certification program in the country.
GREAT has been featured in leading trade publications such as The National Culinary
Review and Food Business News, and been recognized at the Research Chef’s Association
(RCA) Culinology Expo and National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show.
The GREAT program is available through the NFCA for establishments nationwide and
boasts a diverse slate of participants including; individually owned kitchens, chain franchises,
and even hotel resort destinations.
For information or to register for GREAT, visit www.CeliacCentral.org/trainme or call (215)
325-1306 x105.
About the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non- profit organization
dedicated to raising awareness of celiac in order to gain prompt and accurate diagnosis for
those suffering, support the health and wellbeing of those with the disease, and facilitate
research that will better understand the disorder and find a cure. Visit www.celiaccentral.org
for information.
About Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the small intestine and
interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. An estimated three million Americans have
celiac disease yet 95% remain undiagnosed, resulting in a fourfold increase in the risk of
early death and numerous debilitating conditions including infertility, neuropathy and even
cancer. The only treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Left untreated, people with celiac
disease can develop further complications such as other autoimmune diseases,
osteoporosis, thyroid disease, and some cancers.
Contact: Whitney Ehret
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
(215) 325-1306 x.103
whitney@celiaccentral.org
www.celiaccentral.org
