The opening of Gluten Free 4 U Echuca on Saturday, August 30 attracted big crowds, lining up for hours to get their gluten-free fix. Photo: Supplied.
For Gluten Free 4 U Echuca owner David Cunningham, coeliac-safe options are not a want, they are a need.
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After being diagnosed with coeliac disease around 15 years ago, he became acutely aware of allergies and dietary requirements.
The condition is an autoimmune response to gluten, the protein found largely in wheat, barley and rye.
It can cause short-term gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue and anaemia, but also increases the risk of liver disease, infertility, cancer and osteoporosis down the line.
Coeliac disease affects one in 70 Australians, yet only 20 per cent are diagnosed.
In Mr Cunningham’s case, a separate illness “woke up” his otherwise asymptomatic condition.
“I got sick, and it woke it up,” he said.
“You can get tested via blood or, in my case, I didn’t know I had it, so I had a (gastroscopy).
“When they woke me up, looking for one thing ... they said, ‘oh no, you’re 100 per cent gluten-free’.”
Mr Cunningham could not believe how much physically and mentally better he felt after switching to a gluten-free diet.
“What was crazy about it is that when I went on my gluten-free diet, I felt like Superman,” Mr Cunningham said.
“Your energy levels just escalate big time, your sleeping and happiness.
“One of the terrible things about being coeliac is, if you do pollute your body ... you lose your joie de vivre.”
For coeliacs, even just trace amounts of the protein can trigger a reaction.
Being a publican and coffee shop owner, Mr Cunningham prides himself on providing a coeliac-safe kitchen at The Caledonian and Latte Lane.
“The big word is cross-contamination,” he said.
“(If) you cook with something, say a battered fish with pure wheat and all the rest of it, then put in a gluten-free product ... when you then make that mistake or someone makes a mistake and poisons you, you go down bad.
“It’s really important that you’ve got that trust with whatever business it may be or kitchen.”
Mr Cunningham decided to take his gluten-free hospitality one-step further, opening Gluten Free 4 U on Saturday, August 30.
Everything at the store, including bread, pies, cakes, flour mixes, lollies, dumplings and doughnuts, is gluten-free, made in a dedicated facility in Melbourne.
“(Store manager) Robin was probably thinking I was mad when I said we’re going to come up with a gluten-free concept,” Mr Cunningham said.
Imogen Ross was the first customer in line at the Gluten Free 4 U Echuca opening. Photo: Peter Wicks.
“I did some research and found this guy who has this business called Gluten Free 4 U.
“They produce all these gluten-free products, a huge range of those things.”
The store caters for a range of dietary requirements, including dairy-, soy-, egg- and yeast-free, along with fructose and vegan friendly.
Mr Cunningham was overwhelmed by support on opening day, with customers lining up for hours on their Saturday morning.
The team created goodie bags, gave out free samples and ran a raffle, taken out by Imogen Ross, who shared the love with her line neighbours.
“She was there camping out so early to get her $50 voucher,” Mr Cunningham said.
“She was mistakenly given a $25 voucher, so we quickly made amends to give her the other $25 voucher, which she then gave to the person behind her.”
Gluten Free 4 U is located at 110 Hare St, Echuca, next to Latte Lane.
It is open Monday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm during the week and 8am to 2pm on the weekend.
The store is stocked with gluten-free delights, including fresh, frozen, shelf-stable and even warm products. Photo: Peter Wicks.
The opening hours at Latte Lane are being extended to match, so customers can get their caffeine or milkshake fix while grabbing their gluten-free goodies.
Mr Cunningham is also planning later-night store openings in the summer, with more warm food to come.
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