WHY OUR PROGRAM EXISTS
Celiac and gluten sensitive consumers are frustrated by the gap between restaurants serving gluten free food and restaurants actually serving gluten free food safely. This is supported by the data. A recent survey of 700+ readers of a major gluten-free publication indicated 80% of gluten-free consumers had safety concerns when going to a restaurant. For these reasons, Charlie’s Table Oasis created the Gluten-Free Safety Restaurant Program.
The Program is a voluntary, no cost to join, gluten-free self-certification program designed to:
Encourage the use of “best practices” to maximize safety for people in the gluten-free community
Increase consumer confidence in restaurant’s and other food establishment’s ability to serve food that is actually gluten-free
Help consumers locate places to eat that commit to utilizing best gluten-free safety practices
Promote participating restaurants and food service establishments to the gluten-free community
FAQ’s
+ What is the program?
The Gluten-Free Food Safety Restaurant Program is a voluntary, honor based, program to insure that gluten-free food served in restaurants and other food service establishments is indeed gluten-free.
+ Why should I participate in the program?
To help keep your guests happy and safe – and to make additional money. 30% of American consumers eat gluten-free. Gluten-free people tend to not only be loyal customers, but also to be the decision makers when a group goes to a restaurant.
+ What benefits do I receive from the program?
Additional customers and income.
+ How will my customers know that I am participating in the program?
You will receive the right to use our Gluten-Free Food Safety Restaurant Program Emblem in advertising and other marketing, on your premises and on your menus. You will also be listed on our website.
+ What type of marketing support will be provided by Charlie’s Table Foundation for the program?
In addition to being listed as participating in the program on the web site, your restaurant will receive the benefit of an ongoing PR campaign.
+ How do I sign up for the program?
Click on this link.
+ What steps do I have to take to successfully complete the program?
Read the owner’s guide; have the person in charge of purchasing read the purchasing guide; show training presentation to all current employees twice a year and all new employees during their new hire training. Alternatively, if your restaurant is dedicated 100% gluten-free or already follows guidelines at least equivalent to those in the Program, review the following FAQ's.
+ WHAT IF MY RESTAURANT IS 100% GLUTEN-FREE?
Your restaurant is authorized to join the Charlie's Table Oasis Gluten-Free Safe Restaurant Program if: • The restaurant owner or manager determines that your restaurant, at a minimum, already follows ALL the policies and procedures which are described in our Owners Guide, Purchaser’s Guide, Staff presentation. • Any new person involved with purchasing studies the Program purchaser’s guide. • You teach all new hires about your policies and procedures and how to stick to them prior to engaging each such person in your restaurant - even on a short term basis. • Your restaurant does staff reminder training during the year. • You will adhere to any revisions in Program guidelines within thirty (30) days of being informed about any such revisions. • You have reviewed all ingredients currently on your premises, in storage or on order to assure that all of them are gluten-free within the parameters set in the Purchaser’s Guide. For example, that any oats are Purity Protocol. Any non-conforming ingredients will be disposed of prior to entering the Program. • You will maintain Program requirements as they may be changed from time to time.
+ WHAT IF MY RESTAURANT ALREADY HAS GLUTEN-FREE SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE?
Your restaurant is authorized to join the Charlie’s Table Oasis Gluten-Free Safe Restaurant Program if: • The restaurant owner or manager determines that your restaurant, at a minimum, already follows ALL the policies and procedures which are described in our Owners Guide, Purchaser’s Guide, Staff presentation. • Any new person involved with purchasing studies the Program purchaser’s guide. • You teach all new hires about your policies and procedures and how to stick to them prior to engaging each such person in your restaurant - even on a short term basis. • Your restaurant does staff reminder training during the year. • You will adhere to any revisions in Program guidelines within thirty (30) days of being informed about any such revisions. • You have reviewed all ingredients currently on your premises, in storage or on order to assure that all of them are gluten-free within the parameters set in the Purchaser’s Guide. For example, that any oats are Purity Protocol. Any non-conforming ingredients will be disposed of prior to entering the Program. • You will maintain Program requirements as they may be changed from time to time.
+ How much time is involved in completing the program?
The training presentation will take 35 minutes.
+ How often do I have to provide the training to my staff?
Twice a year.
+ What happens when I hire new staff?
Each new hire is to be shown the training presentation.
+ What is glutening?
Glutening is when a person unintentionally ingests gluten.
+ What happens if one of my restaurant guests thinks they’ve been glutened at the restaurant?
Guests are requested to let you know when they have been glutened in your restaurant.
+ Are there any costs involved in participating in the program?
No.
+ How do renewals work?
Each year, you agree to renew participation in the program – at no cost to you.
+ What happens if I have any additional questions about the program?
Email safetyprogram@charliestableoasis.org
+ Why is Charlie’s Table Foundation sponsoring the program?
With 80% of gluten sensitive consumers having safety concerns when they go out to eat, we saw a clear need that we had the experience and capability of filling.