Campaign to make gluten free food more affordable and more accessible
We are on a mission to make gluten free food more affordable and more accessible. Our aim is to shine a light on the additional challenges faced by the coeliac community and avoid a cost of living crisis becoming a future health crisis.
In March we launched the campaign with the publication of our report, 'The Gluten Free Diet: What does it cost and why does it matter?’ which highlighted the inequality of pricing for gluten free food for those that need it to maintain their health.
“The cost of living crisis could become a cost of health crisis for many. People with coeliac disease are being disproportionately affected. We’re calling on policy makers and the food industry to join with us to help support those with coeliac disease and ensure they can access the food they need to treat their condition.”
Tristan Humphreys, Head of Advocacy, Coeliac UK
This was just the first stage of our campaign, in July and August we asked our community to help us gather more information during their regular shopping trips.
And we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those that took part in our access and availability Shopping Survey. We had nearly 1,000 people take the time to share their experiences of shopping for gluten free staple products. The data provides significant evidence of the challenges members of the community face accessing the diet and will prove crucial in our discussions with commissioners and the food industry. Our team are currently analysing the data but stay tuned for results on this web page and our social media channels.
If you have any questions about our campaign, please email advocacy@coeliac.org.uk
Or for any media enquiries, email us at media@coeliac.org.uk
The Gluten Free Diet: What does it cost and why does it matter?’
To better understand the true cost of maintaining a gluten free diet, Coeliac UK conducted a study on the cost of purchasing gluten free foods online across UK supermarkets and have compared prices to their gluten containing equivalents.
The report revealed the additional challenges faced by those who need to live gluten free including the fact that on average a gluten free loaf is 4.3 times more expensive. So far the report has generated significant press and TV coverage, plus opened doors to wider conversations at a higher level.
How you can get involved
Our voice is only as strong as the community we represent and our initial success in raising awareness and bringing this issue into the conversation has only been because of your ongoing incredible support.
Read on below for three different ways you can get involved.
1. Share your story
Your personal experiences of living gluten free will have a significant impact on the second phase of our campaign this year. If you or anyone in your household has coeliac disease, whether they are a partner, child or parent, we would love to hear your story.
We want to know how maintaining a gluten free diet is affecting you financially on a day-to-day basis and how you are coping with the rising cost of your food shop. We are also interested to find out if you are currently receiving support to access gluten free food, such as prescriptions.
2. Pledge your support and join the community
The more voices, the louder we’ll be heard! Getting involved is easy, you can simply just tick the box to pledge your support or if you want to show your support more strongly, you can send us a photo to be added to our Wall of Support which clearly shows the strength of our community and the importance of this project.
Once you sign up, make sure you tick the box to receive more information and we'll keep you updated on our progress and other ways to get involved!
3. Shout about it
Follow us on social media to hear the latest news and share the campaign on your own feeds to spread the word!
Use our letter templates to make change at a higher level:
Contact your local MP (non prescribing areas of England only)
Contact your local ICB (non prescribing areas of England only)
Seven Day Meal Plan – your budget meal booklet
Helpful hints on how to eat well gluten free on a budget.