History is filled with examples of vocal minorities effecting change, so I don't know why it continues to surprise me, but this research blew my mind: "Market research organization Packaged Facts clearly sees the trend toward gluten-free formulations as more than a fad, estimating that sales of gluten-free products will reach $2.6bn by 2012. In a recent report, it said that the gluten-free market has grown at an average annual rate of 28 percent since 2004, when it was valued at $580m, to reach $1.56bn last year." The market has grown twenty-eight percent in five years!
Consider, if you will, the concurrent research indicating that only around 50,000 people in the US have yet been diagnosed, out of an estimated 2 million. Put those together and you've got a very loud minority of the population insisting that our health concerns be addressed through the market. You can see it on store shelves--Chex cereal was reformulated to be gluten-free. And we're only increasing in number. Information like this makes me optimistic that, someday soon, healthy, delicious, gluten-free fare will be standard on every menu and easy to buy.
Friday, September 18, 2009
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Celiacs UNITE! This is a great post, very encouraging indeed. Where are you getting your research? In terms of Loud Voices- how can people get involved in affecting this change faster?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your next blog!
Thanks! I got the info from FoodNews online. As far as getting things moving faster, calling companies to just ask if they have gluten free options, writing letters and, actually, I've found that if you go in to restaurants and ask, it can be really effective.
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