Three years ago, when I started grocery shopping for only gluten free foods, I was in a constant state of frustration. The gluten free section, if it existed, was small. Usually just a portion of an isle and sometimes a few things in the freezer section. It seemed that more time was spent reading ingredients and wondering if it was gluten free than preparing meals! Things are changing, for sure. Now, almost every store has an isle filled with diverse gluten free food items. Some stores, though, have multiple shelves dedicated to the good stuff.

Yoke’s, north of the Y on Hwy 2, is one of these stores. Usually when I walk into a new store, I wander around for a few minutes looking for that magical gf section signified by boxes of pasta and the easy to spot brightly colored mixes. Yoke’s is different. This sign was front and center:

Easy to Find GF Section

Under it lives three whole shelves full of gluten free options. Both sides! Though, I have to note, one top shelf dedicated to Ener-G bread. It has to be the worst gf bread on the market. Is it because the shelf-life is unsettling (one year without refrigeration or freezing)?

Ener-G Bread

The bread aside, this store made me giddy. I wandered around looking at the multitude of things not normally gluten free. Yogurt covered pretzels, pastas in all shapes, varieties of pancake and baking mixes, cookies in boxes and bags, cereals for youth and adult taste buds, noodles made from tofu and so much more!

One of Three

The freezer section was stocked with more than just the obligatory rice crust pizza. The range of oven-ready foods, not usually found in abundance–pepper poppers, crab cakes, ready made dinners—was delightful!

Crab Cakes located on the left

Throughout the entire natural foods section, gluten free items were marked with tags. Even the baby food!

Sauces

GF Baby Food

G-Free Tea

This was one of those experiences where I walked out mystified by how I spent so much money. My bag was full of things that I did not need. But hey, it’s not often I have this much fun shopping for food. I highly recommend this store if you are on the north side or passing through!