BOSTON and FRAMINGHAM, Mass. –Slade Gorton, a leading provider of premium seafood through foodservice and retail channels, and Elevation Brands, a pioneer of all natural allergy-friendly and gluten free foods, have inked a deal to put gluten free/allergy friendly choices on menus everywhere.
The new Slade Gorton/Elevation Brands partnership will give foodservice distributors and operators a consistent and reliable source of trusted AF/GF seafood and non-seafood items sold under the ICYBAY and Ian's brands. ICYBAY is Slade Gorton's premium seafood brand and Ian's is Elevation Brand's line of all natural, allergy-friendly and gluten free frozen foods.
At last, millions of allergy and gluten intolerant (Celiac disease) sufferers, as well as anyone focused on improving health and wellness through better nutrition, will be able to order allergy-friendly, gluten free versions of their favorite foods, including seafood, at schools and institutions, in restaurants and workplace cafeterias.
"This partnership is a natural fit," said Elevation Brands CEO Chuck Marble. "Each of us brings a proven strength to the table – ours as a manufacturer and pioneer of allergy-friendly foods consumers can trust and theirs as a trusted, long-term provider of seafood and partner to the foodservice world."
Both the timing and the opportunity couldn't be better. According to the Celiac Disease Center, 18 million Americans suffer from Celiac disease — an intolerance to gluten found in wheat, barley and other grains. Allergies to other common food ingredients including dairy and soy are also on the rise in children and adults alike. As a result, public institutions including schools and government organizations are under increasing pressure to offer allergy friendly/gluten free items in their cafeterias and eateries.
"In support of our mission to ensure an enjoyable dining experience for the American consumer, Slade Gorton is proud to partner with Elevation Brands to offer allergy-friendly and gluten free products to the foodservice market," said Kim Gorton, Slade Gorton & Company's President & CEO. "We share a collective commitment to investing in innovation, health and wellness and increasing consumers' access to the foods they love."
The U.S. gluten-free market reached $4.2 billion in 2012, and is poised to reach $6.6 billion by 2017, according to a report by Packaged Facts, a market research publisher.
And yet, to date, there are no dominant players in the foodservice market offering a trusted and reliable source of allergy/friendly and gluten free foods.
Now broadline distributors, GPO's, foodservice management companies, independent universities, school systems and national and regional restaurant chains and even the military can confidently offer their customers two trusted lines of deliciously satisfying allergy-friendly and gluten free versions of family favorites including breaded fish sticks and filets, chicken patties, French bread pizza, chicken nuggets and more.
About Slade Gorton
As one of the largest seafood importers, manufacturers, and distributors in the United States, Slade Gorton's mission is to bring wholesome and delicious seafood from around the world to America's table. For eighty-five years, the company has specialized in delivering premium quality seafood through the foodservice and retail channels. As the foodservice business has evolved, so has Slade Gorton. The Company's market and expertise have expanded to building relationships with larger end-users, including national and regional restaurant chains, foodservice management companies (FSM's), independent colleges and universities, and large local operators (LLO's.) The goal is simple; to work from the plate backward, truly understand what is important to the ultimate consumer, and utilize its world-class supply and manufacturing chain to deliver an exceptional dining experience. Slade Gorton is a proud member of WBENC (Women Business Enterprise National Council). For more information, visit www.sladegorton.com.
About Elevation Brands, LLC
Elevation Brands, LLC is a mission-driven food manufacturer dedicated to supporting brands with a purpose. To empower consumers to overcome dietary challenges, the company markets its all-natural, allergy-friendly foods under the Ian's brand. For 12 years, Ian's has pioneered high-quality, all-natural, allergy-friendly foods consumers can trust. Approximately 40 different frozen meals, sides, snacks and grocery items give those with special dietary needs deliciously and convenient alternatives to live the life they deserve. Nearly all products are made on-site at the Elevation Brands USDA facility in Framingham, Massachusetts where allergy-friendly food safety practices go above and beyond federally mandated standards. For more information, visit www.elevationbrands.com or www.iansnaturalfoods.com.
Source: Slade Gorton & Co.; Elevation Brands, LLC; Ian's