National Coeliac Awareness Week

Are you Free For Tea?
2009 York Gluten-Free Food Fayre

National Coeliac Awareness Week has traditionally been launched locally with the York Gluten-Free Food Fayre, held at the Bar Convent on Blossom St since 2003. Organisers are pleased to announce that the 2009 Fayre will be held on Saturday 9th May 2009 at the Bar Convent and the theme for this year’s Awareness Campaign is ‘Free for Tea’.
The gluten-free food Fayre provides people with coeliac disease and the general public the opportunity to meet the experts in this field and other people with coeliac disease in the magnificent setting of the Bar Convent and All Saints school hall. Access is via the Blossom St entrance of the Bar Convent, just outside Micklegate Bar and doors are open from 10.30 am to 2.30pm.
With over 20 stalls there are representatives of all the major gluten-free food manufacturers, local bakers and butchers on hand to talk to people about their products and the problems of coping with a gluten free diet in general. Samples of new products and old favourites will be available on the majority of stands and for those who work up a thirst, gluten-free beer will also be available for tasting. EVERYTHING on the menu in the Bar Convent café will, of course, be gluten free on the day and gluten free options remain available all year round in this popular, peaceful cafe.
The leading charity, Coeliac UK will be present to provide information and advice and it is expected that more than 800 people will attend this year’s event, which is the third largest Gluten-Free Food Fayre in the UK.
Show organiser Adrian Benson said, “This year’s Fayre is supported by a wide range of people involved with the coeliac condition. The Fayre allows people a chance to find out more about coeliac disease in an informal way and to meet with the people who produce gluten-free food.”
Entrance to the Fayre costs just £1 and includes a raffle ticket. All proceeds go to the Hull & East Riding branch of the registered charity, Coeliac UK.
Ends.
For further information contact
Adrian Benson on:
01482 883347
07885 370438

Contact:
Adrian Benson
Show Organiser

14 Lime Tree Avenue
Beverley
Nr Hull
East Yorkshire

Tel:
+44(0)1482 883347
Email: adrian.benson@v480.freeserve.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

Coeliac disease is not a food allergy but an autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten which, if eaten, causes damage to the gut lining

The annual York Food Fayre started in 2003 and was originally set up to help people in the North find out more about the availability of gluten free food and meet with other suffers of the condition.

The York Food Fayre is the third largest Gluten Free Food Fayre run in the UK. All major manufacturers of Gluten Free Food support it.

At least 1 in 100 people are estimated to suffer from coeliac disease in the UK; however,according to a recent study only 1 in 8 cases are diagnosed. Therefore, over 250,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with coeliac disease but there are thought to be a further 500,000 that have coeliac disease but have yet to be diagnosed.

In addition people with wheat intolerance also benefit from a gluten free diet.

The condition affects any age group and as yet there is no cure for the condition.

More info re the condition can be found at www.coeliac.co.uk

Coeliac Awareness week starts 11th May 2009