Aviko Raises £500 for Coeliac UK

Aviko raised £500 for the national charity, Coeliac UK during its Coeliac Awareness Week (9^th – 15^th May 2015), as part of the potato products supplier’s Gluten-Free Heroes campaign.

During the week-long awareness campaign, Aviko donated £2 for every follow and retweet on its Twitter account. Those that engaged with the activity were also entered into a giveaway for the chance to get their hands on a goody bag containing Aviko and Coeliac UK merchandise.

As part of the Gluten-Free Heroes campaign, the potato specialist also launched the ‘Top Tips for Gluten-Free Out-Of-Home’ booklet, a guide to catering for gluten-free and coeliac customers. The booklet is packed with facts, hints and product information as well as coeliac friendly recipes such as the Indian-inspired Aloo Palak and traditional British Cider Battered Fish and Chips, created with respected chef and representative of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Daniel Ayton.

Mohammed Essa, General Manager UK and Ireland, Aviko says: “We’re thrilled to have raised such a significant amount for Coeliac UK during Coeliac Awareness Week 2016. The charity provides essential support to those living with coeliac disease so we want to extend our thanks to our followers and the wider Twitter community for getting involved.

“This is the second year we have focused on highlighting the importance of gluten-free menus to operators.  It’s shocking that 73% of people don’t think the out-of-home sector does enough to cater for gluten intolerances* so we’re working hard to support caterers with the tools needed to offer gluten-free menu choices suitable for people with coeliac disease, such as our top tips booklet and recipes.”

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Coeliac UK said: “We are very grateful to Aviko for their generous donation to the charity and for helping raise awareness through their Twitter activity during Coeliac UK Awareness Week and supporting our ‘Is it coeliac disease?’ campaign. Being able to eat out with confidence is essential for people with coeliac disease, as a strict gluten-free diet for life is the only treatment for people diagnosed with the autoimmune condition. We have worked alongside the catering industry for many years providing training and accreditation for the provision of safe gluten-free food and as more people are diagnosed the demand for gluten-free meals can only increase.”

Formed in 1968, Coeliac UK is the oldest and largest coeliac disease charity in the world. It provides expert information to help people with the condition manage their health and diet, campaigns for better access to diagnosis and care, as well as better access to food in and out-of-home, and researches the nature of the disease and potential cures. For more information see www.coeliac.org.uk

Dedicated to foodservice, Aviko’s most popular products are produced in a dedicated gluten-free factory – something not all potato product suppliers can guarantee. The range of gluten-free sides includes Premium Fries (Superlong, Supercrunch and Sweet Potato Fries), Wedges (Skin On, Skin Off, Crinkle, Tex Mex, Garlic & Herb and Mega), Mashed Potato, Hash Browns, Gratins and Mini Gratins, as well as Roast, Diced, Sauté and Jacket Potatoes.

Aviko has also created a handy video highlighting the key results of research commissioned by Aviko* into the demand for gluten-free out-of-home and details of how the potato specialist can provide support, as well as a range of free downloadable point-of-sale materials to encourage gluten-free diners year-round. The posters and tent cards will help operators highlight their coeliac friendly menu options and encourage diners to try Aviko’s range of sides which are suitable for gluten-free diets without compromising on taste or quality.

Aviko’s gluten-free recipes are available at www.aviko.co.uk/downloads/recipes

Dedicated to foodservice and one of the biggest potato processors in the world, Aviko offers a range of chilled and frozen potato specialities made by chefs, for chefs, from morning favourites such as Hash Browns and innovative Hash Brown Bites, through to Premium Fries, Mash, Roasties and much more.

*Toluna/Aviko 2015

For more product information on Aviko’s extensive range call 0800 633 5611 or visit www.aviko.co.uk

For everything Aviko visit: www.twitter.com/avikouk