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Sports Venues Grow Gluten-Free Offerings

April 5, 2010

Sports Venues Grow Gluten-Free Offerings

Food industry publication highlights increased awareness at nation’s ballpark.

Nation’s Restaurant News, a leading food industry publication, recently shed light on the growing number of gluten-free menus available at sports and entertainment venues nationwide.


Via NRN Online

(April 2, 2010)As Major League Baseball’s 2010 season kicks off, on-site concessionaires are focusing on bringing more variety and upscale offerings to ballparks across America.

While hot dogs remain the top food item sold at ballparks — more than 21 million will be served this season, according to National Hot Dog and Sausage Council — Aramark, Delaware North and Centerplate have several plans in the works to amp up their concessions, from adding gluten-free and vegetarian fare to introducing entirely new concepts built around local tastes.

Aramark Corp., whose major league clients include the Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies and New York Mets, has expanded the amount of vegetarian and gluten-free fare at all 14 of its ballparks, said David Freireich, a spokesman at the Philadelphia-based company. New gluten-free items will include hot dogs, burgers and even beer.

As Major League Baseball teams across the country opening their 2010 seasons this week, more and more celiacs will able to enjoy safe and delicious ballpark experience.

Read more from NRN Online’s “Stadium concessionaires ready to play ball” here: http://www.nrn.com/article.aspx?menu_id=1368&id=381514#

NFCA has been working with Aramark’s David Freireich as well as countless other industry professionals to bring celiac disease and gluten-free diet awareness to stadiums across the country through its Athletes for Awareness campaign and Celiac Awareness Sports Nights.

NFCA’s Celiac awareness nights at major sporting events are a great way to bring awareness the general public and the sports and entertainment industries.

Through advanced publicity, facts displayed on jumbo-trons and resource tables at the venues, NFCA partners with local support groups and venues to offer gluten-free food and fun on game night.

NFCA has held Celiac Awareness events in partnership with organizations such as:

  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • Philadelphia Flyers
  • Washington Nationals
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Bowie Baysox (AAA affiliate)
  • Philadelphia Eagles

And works with independent individuals and groups across the country to host events with their favorite local teams!

For information on NFCA’s Celiac Awareness Nights, including scheduling and ticketing updates, visit our upcoming events page.

Want to host a Celiac Awareness Night with YOURlocal team? Sign up to volunteer.

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