With more and more gluten-free specialty products showing up on the shelves of grocery stores these days, it can be a challenge to shop at different stores. Some stores choose to organize all of the gluten-free specialty products into a “gluten-free” section of the store, while other stores either have a “Health Food” section or place the products on the shelves right along with other like items… bread, baking mixes, pasta, cookies, etc.
There are pros and cons for each method.
“gluten-free” section – Pros – Most specialty items are grouped together making products easier to locate. Cons – Store employees may incorrectly place items that are not gluten-free in this area as seen above.
“Health Food” section – Pros – Again, most specialty items will be grouped in this section, though it probably will be a larger area than a strictly “gluten-free” section. Cons – Not all “Health Food” products are necessarily gluten-free and it may take a bit longer to find what you are shopping for.
No separation – Pros – If you know the store, things are grouped with other like items and can be found by aisle signs hanging from ceiling. Cons – A larger store area to cover to find what you are shopping for. This may also lead to confusion among store employees and communication between them and customers.
Do you have a preferred method? Do you avoid certain grocery stores because of the way they stock their gluten-free specialty foods?
No matter where the foods are placed I appreciate the gluten free tags on the shelves. Either case involves lots of reading of labels unless I can find a clear “Gluten Free” designation on the products.
For easy of finding products, love them in Gluten free section. I still read ingredients even after 3 years of doing this. Safer that way.
Our local chain grocery store can’t make up their mind how to group gluten-free items. Hodgson Mills GF items are on the shelves with the sugar-free items; GF Bisquick and GF King Arthur flours are on the shelves with the regular flour mixes; Udi’s items are in a chest freezer section in the dairy aisle; and some items are in their organic/healthy section. I’m not sure how many gluten-free items I am actually missing because I don’t know where to look!