Most complaints directed toward concession stands refer to costs. A cheap ticket is only as beneficial as the stadium hotdog and beer that accompany it. But some people are not as repulsed by the cost as by the food that is served.
About one in 133 Americans has celiac disease and is allergic to gluten, an ingredient found in most wheat products. My sister, Leslie, has had the disease all her life and has had to adapt to constricted dietary options. For many years, individuals with the disease had very few alternatives when shopping for food.
However, awareness of this disease is becoming more widespread. Within the past five years, many gluten-free grocery stores have opened throughout the country, and even in and around Columbus. Even more recently, sports teams have added special gluten-free concession stands in their stadiums and arenas.
Philadelphia has been at the forefront of this change. Every professional sports team in the city offers gluten-free items. A growing number of other professional teams either have already implemented these concession stands or are considering it.
In the past, someone with celiac who bought a hotdog or burger was forced to discard the bun. They paid the same prices as anyone else but basically had to throw half of it away. They didn’t even have a method for keeping their hands clean.
Now concession stands can still serve the same kinds of foods, but some are completely gluten-free. Hotdogs and hamburgers can be safely consumed, bun and all. Even beer, once a dangerous drink, has adapted to particular health needs. Some brands offer brews made with sorghum instead of wheat or barley.
The benefits of gluten-free eating can be felt by more than just those with celiac disease. Eliminating gluten is known to help with various medical issues, including arthritis, autism and diabetes. Some have even adopted gluten-free diets and successfully lost weight.
While proper steps are being taken to adhere to the demands of celiac disease, there is still plenty of ground to be covered. This presents a great opportunity for Ohio State.
Providing gluten-free food at sporting events and on campus would be a positive step toward ensuring positive experiences for all.
Very few colleges or universities offer such resources. However, this trend from professional sports will likely extend to the collegiate scene. OSU should strive to be a leader in this revolution.
The ‘Shoe and Schottenstein Center rightly accommodate the physically disabled. Vendors bring food and beverages directly to a person’s seat. Automatic sinks and paper towel dispensers provide hands-free convenience to patrons. Doesn’t it make sense to reach out to people with food allergies and diseases?
