University of the PACIFIC

What gluten-free means:

• Gluten - a protein found in grains, such as wheat, barley, rye, or oats.
• Celiac disease - a condition associated with consuming gluten protein, often those with Celiac disease need to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle.
• Gluten sensitivity affects 1 out of 100 Americans. An estimated 6 percent of the U.S. population, or 16 to 18 million people, are considered "gluten sensitive."
• Many others choose to eat gluten-free. Sales of gluten-free foods and beverages reached $2.64 billion in 2010, a 30 percent increase since 2006, and are projected to approach $5.5 billion by 2015. 

Other Pacificans who were influential to Find Me Gluten Free:

• Alex Caspero '09 M.A. - Pacific's campus dietitian helped make a Gluten Free chart in the app to show a waiter/waitress, so they know what foods one needs to avoid or can be accommodated with.
• Natalie Nasser '07 B.A. from Bayside Printing in San Francisco assisted in making print polo shirts and business cards for Find Me Gluten Free.
• Brian Schardt '05 B.A. runs a website called http://www.eastbayceliac.com/ and has helped spread the word about Find Me Gluten Free. He currently is working on hosting a gluten-free expo in the Bay Area next year.

Pacific's Gluten-Free Options:

Pacific has a "gluten free circle of responsibility" which labels specific specials offered on campus that are gluten free.  Students on all three campuses also can request a gluten-free diet consultation from Caspero.