Awareness Week: Food Without Fear

The Food Without Fear campaign aims to raise awareness and understanding with chefs and caterers in hospitals, schools, restaurants, cafes, hotels and with airlines and is an important long-term campaign aim for Coeliac UK.

We know that for people with coeliac disease, eating out on a gluten-free diet can be a miserable experience. Choice is often very limited and the risks of eating gluten unknowingly as well as cross-contamination can put many off venturing out. Whilst gluten-free food is now more widely available for purchase in shops, it is still not a regular feature on many restaurant menus. We believe this has to change.

Our aim

To raise awareness and understanding of a gluten-free diet amongst chefs and caterers, healthcare professionals and hospital ward staff, parliamentarians and the general public.

Campaign activities

There are two key campaigning activities that you can take part in during Awareness Week; the Food Without Fear Recipe competition and the Eat Out Gluten Free Challenge. To see more about the campaign and materials we have an offer, please click here.

To maximise the impact of our campaign, we have ambitious plans which include:

• a week of intense media activity
• a range of activities across the country, co-ordinated by our volunteer network
• an Eat Out Without luncheon and political lobbying campaign at a luncheon at the Houses of Parliament
• an Eat Out Without luncheon in the Scottish Parliament

We need all the help we can get from our commercial partners, to help increase the reach of our key messages, but also to help raise much needed funds to keeep the campaign rolling. So we're appealing to you to get involved in any way you can. 

Get involved

You can contact our commercial team at commercial@coeliac.org.uk for more information, but here are a few ideas that might get you started. Remember to let us know in advance what you are planning, so we can give you coverage in our Awareness Week media specials.

• Consider running a cause related marketing activity during awareness week that will help raise funds for Coeliac UK and shows customers how your business supports a worthwhile cause. Contact our commercial team to discuss any ideas you may have
• Organise a fun, team-building, fundraising event amongst your colleagues
• Link to our website www.coeliac.org.uk and highlight the week on your own company website.  Contact us for a logo
• Circulate leaflets and our 'Food Without Fear' posters at any events or roadshows your company is holding at the time
• Encourage your MP or MSP to support our Early Day Motion and Motion
• Hold a display in your office using leaflets from Coeliac UK. (order form available in the information pack)
• Show your support by adding 'Coeliac and DH Awareness Week' and our web site link to your company's outgoing emails for the build up and duration of the week
• Recycle the empty print cartridges from your home or office in aid of Coeliac UK.  There's no cost to you - just contact 01494 437278 quoting Coeliac UK recycling bags or email through our contact form for some freepost bags.