S.O.S. {Shoppers on Site}, “Free” Edition, 4/1/17

April 1, 2017

1389

By Candace Byington and Chris Watson

This week we take a look at 5 great markets that offer alternatives to mega-marts usual fair. Although we sink in with Mellenie Fellman’s personal take on gluten and dairy free, these markets also offer a wide selection of cleaner food selections, including gluten free, non-GMO, certified organic, fair trade, and a host of eat well and feel good shopping options that are available. Don’t know about these terms? Just ask a staff member! Every one of these markets has folks that are more than happy to walk you through the certifications and label claims. This week we look at regular favorite Walt Churchill’s Market plus Fresh Thyme. We give our first overview of Health Foods by Claudia and add in links to our favorites Fresh Market and Bassett’s Health Foods. There has never been a better time to make healthy choices!

Walt Churchill’s Market

Many have found that they need to change their diets and eat gluten free foods like pasta. Shopping for these items outside of a food co-op or fully organic grocery has become easier due to increased demand for gluten free cereals, snacks and other food items in recent years. Walt Churchill’s Market in Perrysburg features an assortment of snacks from crackers to nacho chips in the gluten free variety. You will find many tasty options for snack bars as well. Breakfast cereals and a few pancake and crepe options can be easily found. If you crave quinoa, you will never go hungry nor get bored as the store carries many flavors of the ancient grain ranging from bacon to sundried tomato. Pasta lovers will find black bean spaghetti, egg noodleas well as vast array of risotto available in gluten free. There are two varieties of spaghetti sauce in gluten free. No need to skip dessert! There are gluten free cookies available too and they are chocolate.

WCM has a great selection of gluten free and dairy free cookies and confections from a wide variety of producers

Gluten Free, Non GMO, plus a great flavor for a meal bar. At WCM

You never know until you try it. Vegan and Non GMO at WCM

WCM carries a great selection of meal and snack bars to satisfy an across the board diet seeker.

WCM has a good selection of sauces and mixes that are gluten free.

Another GF choice at WCM. Note that this is a just add water which is also less dairy.

Skip the dip and just go straight for the all in one chip at WCM

Another choice in the Gluten Free world at WCM

From mainstream producer Nabisco. Available at WCM

Kashi has been a leader in whole grain and alternative cereals for a while and WCM has a decent selection

Squash based pasta sauces are amazing! Available at WCM

Jalapeno’s make everything better. Vegan and GF at WCM

Another choice in the quick mac and cheese word of GF…at Churchill’s

Old school Cream of Rice…naturally gluten free…at WCM

Small batch imported GF penne pasta at WCM

Sauces and mixes are “sneak” sources of gluten. WCM has a good selection of gluten free

The key to pad thai is the sauce. A gluten free choice at WCM

Yes it is boxed mac and cheese but cheese out the nutritional Bona Fides…at WCM

WCM has a wide variety of baking flours and mixes for the gluten free and non GMO patron

Pasta from corn….another wheat free alternative at WCM

Well, corn flakes aren’t wheat Chex. WCM has several breakfast cereals that are gluten free, non GMO, organic, and sugar free.

WCM carries a wide variety of meal ready gluten free and organic meals

It doesn’t sound all that good but actually it is a great alternative to pasta…plus high in protein and fiber. Try it at WCM

Health Foods by Claudia

Located on Secor just past Sylvania, this unassuming store has the effect of being the Tardis from Dr. Who…bigger on the inside than on the outside. One you go in you feel like you are in a full service Health market, complete with spices, a frozen section, a produce section, and of course an excellent selection of health support and holistic health items. What is interesting is that they have a respectable dry and canned goods section as well, something that is usually thin from this type of store. Plus a great staff who puts up with overly chatty shoppers like Chris.

A great small store located at 3904 Secor Rd in Toledo

Want to try gluten free pasta but not commit to a whole package? Claudia’s has a couple varieties in bulk

Thickening and coating are two great challenges when cooking GF. Claudia’s has you covered

The biggest advantage to frozen GF bread products is NO WASTE. You thaw what you need a serving at a time. Available at Claudia’s

GF Muffins at Claudias. Frozen and available one at a time!

Like frozen breads, when you want that morning treat but don’t want to wast money buying a whole box. These treats are available at Claudia’s

Claudia’s has a concentrated and wide selection of commercial GF pastas

Claudia’s has a solid dry and canned good section that isn’t just GF but spans the spectrum of health conscious shopping.

Quick snacks in bite sized clusters from Claudia’s

Fresh Thyme

Let’s not be deterred by their national footprint, this is a store that is trying to cultivate local community on a national level. When it comes to eating clean no one is more in your face and evident about eating clean, with clear shelf labeling to help guide you. Plus, like any full service market, they carry an excellent selection of staple items allowing the home cook to experiment with cooking at home. For anyone getting into the clean eating groove Fresh Thyme should be on your regular shopping journey.

Lentils are another traditional and natural side dish that are GF. Fresh Thyme has a wide variety in bulk

Rice is a great GF alternative as well. Fresh Thyme has a great organic bulk selection, including an interesting selection of wild rices

Lots of organic GF cereals in bulk at Fresh Thyme

One of the great things about Fresh Thyme is that they make it easy to locate their GF products.

Fresh Thyme has a wide variety of GF baking supplies to experiment with.

Popcorn is naturally GF. At Fresh Thyme they sell it bulk and organic as well

Bassett’s Health Foods

Longstanding area favorite Bassett’s is another excellent choice for shopping and eating clean. Locations on Heatherdowns in South Toledo and Secor and Central.

Fresh Market

Not as broad of a selection as others on our list but still enough choices to make an honorable mention when it comes to shopping clean. Plus their meat counter is very good for seeking out cleaner protien selections.

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