It’s estimated that at least one in every hundred people in the UK suffer from an allergy to gluten – better known as Coeliac Disease – but this is just part of the story with more people being diagnosed as having a food intolerance or diabetes than ever before.

Many supermarkets now have shelves dedicated to catering for those with special dietary requirements, but with the rise in demand for local food and sourcing food from farmers’ markets one enterprising business from Helston is trying to kill two birds with one stone – locally produced food suitable for Coeliacs, diabetics and those with other special food needs.

 22 year old Helen Briggs started her business, Allergy Aunt, in October 2010 and has quickly expanded to meet the demand of those looking for food to suit their dietary needs at six farmers’ markets across West Cornwall.

“I returned home to Helston after going to university and had always had a passion for cooking,” explained Helen, who is a former Helston School pupil.

“When I started the business it wasn’t particularly aimed at people with certain dietary requirements but over the last four months I have realised this is group of people which are not being catered for in the local food markets at the moment. There was a real gap in the market – one that I am hoping to fill!”

The Allergy Aunt range of ready meals and snacks is completely vegetarian with a lot of vegan and gluten free options. Visit the stall at farmers’ markets in Helston, St Buryan, Penzance, Paul, Pendeen and St Erth.

Helen added: “The farmers’ markets have really been invaluable for me starting this business. There is no way I could have found the money to market or advertise what I am doing. The fact that the different specialist foods have taken off just shows how important it is to market test your product before deciding which direction the business should go in. Not only have I been earning an income at the markets but I have been picking up really useful advice from the other businesses about expansion and possible pitfalls!”

If you have a special dietary requirement or would like to know more about private catering please contact Helen Briggs on 01326 722248 or 07851 879154.

For more information about becoming a stallholder or setting up your own local food business visit www.wcfm.org.uk or contact Victoria Amran on 07787 561770