Scally's SuperValu launch Ireland's 1st designated supermarket in-store Gluten-Free Bakery

Scally’s SuperValu, located in the heart of Clonakilty in West Cork, has become the first supermarket in Ireland to launch a designated in-store gluten-free bakery and food production facility. The new facility, with an investment of €500,000, will create five new jobs at the store.

Coeliac disease is an auto immune disease causing some adults and children to react to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Some coeliacs are also sensitive to the protein found in oats. If a coeliac eats gluten the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged reducing the coeliac's ability to absorb the nutrients from food. This can lead to various symptoms and complications if undiagnosed. The only treatment is adhering to a gluten-free diet for life after a positive diagnosis has been made.

Gluten is found in breads, biscuits, cakes, pasta, beer, pizza and in many manufactured foods where gluten is contained in the ingredients such as soups, sauces, gravy, salad dressings, crisps, chocolate, sweets and ready-meals. Coeliacs have to think ahead if they want to eat at a restaurant, need to take extra time reading labels when shopping and need to take care in their personal food preparation to avoid cross-contamination with gluten. Even a grain of gluten can cause harm and cause symptoms which can last for several days. Long-term consequences of coeliac disease if left untreated, can include increased risk of bowel cancer, infertility and osteoporosis.

Gluten Free Bakers at Scallys SuperValu with owner Eugene Scally

The ‘Clonakilty Gluten Free Cuisine’ range, which consists of a selection of almost 30 gluten-free products certified for coeliacs, will be available at Scally’s SuperValu Clonakilty and Scally’s SuperValu Blackrock in Cork city, with future expansion plans expected. As this innovative range is prepared in a separate bakery and kitchen, coeliacs can be assured that the range is 100% gluten-free, with all products independently tested and certified by Alpha Analytics.

Eugene Scally owner of  Scally's SuperValu Clonakilty

Speaking at the launch, Eugene Scally, owner of Scally’s SuperValu said, “1 in 100 people in Ireland are thought to have coeliac disease, with many as yet undiagnosed. The decision to develop this range was made after market research highlighted the lack of choice for coeliacs and the high cost of gluten-free products; research showed that a coeliac’s basket of goods is 87% more expensive than a non-coeliac basket. We wanted to offer customers a diverse gluten-free range that was keenly priced and of exceptional quality. Our customers feedback has been instrumental in developing the range and the response from shoppers has been extremely positive.”

The launch highlights SuperValu’s community retail model as stores are independently owned and retailers can tailor their offer for the local area. The state of the art production facility means that the gluten-free range can be produced locally in West Cork and adds to West Cork’s reputation for food leadership. The launch of ‘Clonakilty Gluten Free Cuisine’ follows the launch last year of SuperValu’s FreeFrom range which consists of over 300 gluten and dairy-free products, already in all SuperValu stores.

Chairperson of the Coeliac Society of Ireland, Mary Twohig said: “We are delighted that Scally’s have developed this facility in Cork, giving coeliacs more choice in their search for gluten-free foods, on a local basis. It is important to coeliacs that they can access a range of products that are affordable and good quality. With 15% of our membership being from Cork, it is fantastic to see local businesses, and a national retailer, rising to meet the needs of people whose only medicine is a gluten-free diet.”

Scally's "Clonakilty Gluten Free Cuisine’ Range is available both fresh and frozen and includes: 

Brown soda bread, 450g - €2.00
White bread, 400g - €2.00
White bread rolls (four pack) - €2.00
Garlic bread (130g) - €2.00
Bread crumbs (400g) - €2.00
Fruit scones (four pack) - €2.50
Plain scones (four pack) - €2.50
Celebration cake / Birthday cake - €15.99
Trifle sponge - €2.00
Cupcakes (four pack) - €3.00
Carrot cake, 400g - €3.99
Lemon polenta cake, 400g - €3.99
Mushroom soup (500ml) - €3.00
Pepper sauce (460ml) - €3.00
Roast gravy (460ml) - €2.75
White sauce (460ml) - €3.00
Vegetable soup (500ml) - €3.00
Carrot & coriander soup (500ml) - €3.00
Tomato soup (500ml) - €3.00
Potato & leek soup (500ml) - €3.00
Shepherd’s pie (450g) - €3.25
Seafood chowder (500ml) - €4.00
Seafood pie (450g) - €3.50 

SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week in Ireland and now has 222 stores nationwide. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers which help to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

For more about Scallys SuperValu in Clonakilty see www.supervaluclon.ie

Zack