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Ambler, PA (February 15th, 2010) -As the food industry continues to mainstream gluten-free foods and menus, the Gluten Free Resource Education and Awareness Training (GREAT) Business Association has become a decided advantage for those looking to enter this rapidly expanding market.
The GREAT Association is a national business association and registry of gluten-free products created by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) that seeks to improve the gluten–free business climate by promoting quality, tested, gluten-free products, and help businesses in marketplace improve their sales and profits.

The GREAT Association standardizes, brands, and equips the entire spectrum of the food industry including: manufacturers, vendors, retailers, and both individual and multi‐unit food service establishments. GREAT Association membership has been proven to assist professionals in the execution and marketing of safe gluten-free alternatives, and help businesses gain critically important consumer trust and loyalty.
Numerous trade reports list the gluten-free 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 predict that the market will reach $2.6 billion by 2012.
Through an application process that includes ingredient review, third party testing documentation and personnel training, GREAT Association members can register specific products and utilize the trusted and recognized GREAT gluten-free logo on their packaging.

Other benefits of membership include: business to business networking opportunities, access to NFCA and GREAT consultants, website presence and advertising, listing in the GREAT exclusive Gluten Free Yellow Pages resource guide, premier invitations to NFCA events, referrals to NFCA press requests, discounts on sponsorship packages, access to online educational tools and continuing education credits, and a monthly gluten-free industry newsletter subscription.

The GREAT program has been featured in leading trade publications such as The National Culinary Review and Food Business News, and has been recognized by the Research Chef’s Association (RCA) Culinology Expo, and The National Restaurant Association (NRA).

For information or to register for the GREAT Association, visit www.beyondceliac.org/great or call (215) 325-1306 x105.

The NFCA and GREAT Association will host a Gluten-Free Showcase Pavilion at the 2010 National Restaurant Association Show, held May 22nd through 25th in Chicago. The first of its kind held on the food industry’s most prestigious stage, the Gluten-Free Showcase Pavilion will highlight the evolving maturity of the gluten-free industry, and open the door to millions of new consumers for multiple business models within the industry by:

•Offering a business case for restaurants and food service to invest in a gluten-free consumer base
•Demonstrating the entire gamut of gluten-free menu items
•Presenting solutions that directly address the varying needs of kitchens, food service and manufacturers developing gluten-free initiatives

Be sure to visit representatives at booth 6436h at the NRA Show 2010 for information about the GREAT Association and the exhibiting Gluten-Free Showcase Pavilion participants. Information about the upcoming NRA Show Gluten-Free Showcase Pavilion can also be found on the upcoming events section of NFCA’s website, www.beyondceliac.org/Events.

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.beyondceliac.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
[email protected]
www.beyondceliac.org
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