Restaurant Safety Program: Free From Gluten & Top 9 Allergens
INTRODUCTION TO OASIS FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM FOR RESTAURANT OWNERS/MANAGERS
Gluten and Top 9 Allergy-Free Safety Program: Our Why
The need we fill: Consumers who eat free-from gluten and/or top 9 allergen (“Free-from”) are frustrated by the gap between restaurants serving “Free-from” food and restaurants and other food service establishments actually serving “Free-from” food safely. Per a recent survey of more than 700 people, 80% of “Free-from” consumers had safety concerns about going to a restaurant.
Benefits to restaurants and other food service establishments: in America today, 40% of consumers must or prefer to eat “Free-from.” Feeling like an establishment cares about them is likely to increase business and profits… with minimal effort. It’s easy to tap into free word-of-mouth marketing through simple inexpensive procedures such as table tents, menu inserts, servers telling customers about the safety program when taking orders and people who answer the phone telling callers about the program, and/or simple outdoor signage. Most people know someone who must or chooses to eat “Free-from.” In addition, a variety of apps help consumers know what establishments serve “Free-from” using our safety procedures.
The key is that customers and potential customers feel cared for as indicated by a variety of “Free-from” offerings – rather than being a nuisance which is easy to believe if there is only one “Free-from” offering on a menu.
Charlie’s Table Oasis Food Safety Program Participation
Following a grand American tradition, the safety program is free and honor based. All that a restaurant and other food establishment has to do is commit to doing the program, and actually doing it.
While there are no on-site inspectors or inspections, there are powerful incentives to do the right thing thanks to find-me apps, the press including newsletters from non-profit organizations, and social media. As you will see from reading through the program, none of the required safety practices are rocket science, nor are they expensive or time consuming to comply with.
Step One: Complete the Food Safety Program Training.
In order to limit training time to a “need to know” basis, the Program is divided into the following sections:
Step Two: Let current and potential customers know about your participation in the Food Safety Program.
Once you have completed the initial learning/training steps, complete the restaurant information form online and immediately start enjoying the promotional benefits of the Charlie’s Table Oasis Food Safety Program. You will be emailed the Program emblem in multiple image formats. You may use the Program emblem in marketing including, but not limited to, window signs, menus, website, marketing materials and social media.
A Perk: As incentive for you to join the Program, Charlie’s Table, our underwriter, is offering a one year, 15% discount on all fresh gluten-free pasta purchased through their online store.
Please Note
In order to assure that your guests who eat “free-from” are safe, it is important to follow all details contained in the Safety Program. Keep in mind that if a customer is glutened or has an allergic reaction, he or she can turn to social media and “find me” apps to report incidents of glutening or allergenic mishaps.
While the actual procedures employed in your restaurant are on the honor system, you are advised to speak with a local attorney about the potential ramifications if you do not comply with the Program guidelines as well as local laws and regulations which may require additional procedures and physical facilities.