People in Bristol interested in a gluten-free diet are being invited to a specialist food fair which is being held in the city on Saturday, 14th April 2018.
Bristol’s Gluten-Free Food Fair, organised by the Bristol Coeliac UK Local Group, is taking place at City Hall and will give local people the chance to find out more about gluten-free products available on the market and speak with experts.
Tracy Thompson, the Bristol Group’s organiser, said: “Although we are still a relatively new committee, we are delighted to be hosting our second gluten-free food fair. Last year’s event was a great success and we’re hoping to attract around 500 people to this exciting event which aims to give vital information to anyone with coeliac disease or those interested in learning more about living gluten-free. We’ve got a great variety of exhibitors already confirmed for the day including The Somerset Sausage Company, Voakes Pies and local artisan ice cream producer Fluffy Puffin.
“Everyone is welcome; it will be a great way to find out more about the types of gluten-free food available and meet other like-minded people. We hope to raise awareness for the condition and help people get used to living with it.”
In addition to the different stalls and food to explore, there will be information and advice from dieticians and representatives of Coeliac UK, the national charity for people with coeliac disease, and guests can enjoy a tombola and activities for children, such as cake decorating and face painting from Whoopie face painting. Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten. When gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley) is eaten by someone with the condition, damage to the gut lining occurs. One in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease, but only around 24% of those are currently diagnosed. There is no cure or medication for the condition; the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life.
If someone with coeliac disease doesn’t stick to a gluten-free diet, the disease can lead to other conditions such as malnutrition, osteoporosis and small bowel cancer.
The event is taking place on Saturday, 14th April from 11am-3pm at City Hall (formerly the Council House). The venue is easily accessible by public transport and there are many car parks nearby.
Admission to the event is £2 (under 16s free) and money raised will go to the Bristol Coeliac UK Local Group to help fund further events and support in the area. To find out more about the local Coeliac UK group email: bristol@coeliac.org.uk. More information about coeliac disease can be found at www.coeliac.org.uk.
