Dedham Food Pantry Offers Gluten Free Food

The Dedham Food Pantry has partnered with Pierce’s Pantry to offer gluten-free foods to eligible residents of Dedham.  A current or potential client needs a letter of medical necessity stating that he or she has celiac disease or medically diagnosed gluten intolerance.

Celiac disease is a digestive and autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten are eaten. Gluten is a form of protein found in any food containing wheat, rye, and barley. The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the body to absorb important nutrients. Consequences of not strictly following a gluten free diet are very serious and can include bone loss, nerve problems, infertility, and some types of cancer. More than 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease or about 1 in every 133.