Woodchuck Gluten-Free May is National Celiac Awareness Month and nationwide resources and events can be found at the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness website -- http://www.celiaccentral.org/awarenessmonth/. Celiac disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is in foods containing wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oats. Celiac disease affects 3 million Americans, yet 95% of sufferers are unaware or undiagnosed. There are limited dietary choices for people with gluten sensitivity and as a result the gluten free market has exploded. According to "Gluten-free Foods and Beverages in the U.S.," Packaged Facts Report, the market for gluten-free foods and beverages has grown at an annual rate of 30% between 2006-2010, reaching sales of $2.6 billion in 2010 and estimated to exceed $5 billion by 2015.
The handcrafters of Woodchuck Hard Cider take celiac disease seriously, and since Woodchuck has always, and only, been made from apples (not wheat, barley or rye) none of the cider varieties have ever contained gluten. Further, all cider varieties have been tested by ABC Research Corporation of Gainesville, Florida and the Woodchuck Cidery in Middlebury, Vermont maintains a completely gluten-free facility. Woodchuck's flagship Amber is still handcrafted by cider master Greg Failing and his original recipe from Woodchuck Cider's humble beginnings in 1991 in Proctorsville, Vermont.
Throughout May, Woodchuck Cider is sponsoring the Woodchuck Celiac Awareness Sweepstakes awarding ten grand prize $250 gift certificates to Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods and Gluten-Free Starter Kits. Fifty second prizes of one year subscriptions to Gluten-Free Living Magazine will also be awarded.
Source: Woodchuck Cider, 5-16-2011
Woodchuck Cider honors Celiac Awareness Month
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