Looking for gluten free groceries in and around Red Deer Alberta? Here are some of gf and me‘s top picks.
The following recommendations are categorized as:
- Grocery Stores: Stores that offer a broad selection of items – dedicated gf items as well as meats, produce, dairy etc.
- Specialty Stores: Stores that specialize in dietary needs.
- Miscellaneous: A couple of surprising sources for gluten free groceries.
- Pet Stores: Yes, we even cover where your pets can shop gluten free!
Grocery Stores
Sobeys – Gaetz South
2110 50th Avenue
Click here to go to website
This is where we get the majority of our groceries. Sobeys South has a large selection of gluten free dry goods and freezer items in a dedicated gluten free section. When I last spoke with the manager, they carried over 2000 items and were aiming for 8000, so if they don’t have it, they will try to get in for you. They also kindly host the Celiac Association meetings. Our one suggestion would be that they stock more gluten free items in their meat department.
TIP: Sobeys has a binder where you can write down product suggestions AND they will reply with what they have found out about your product.
NEW: Our Compliments brand now has fresh items in the Sobey’s bakery! Try the raisin bread. It’s awesome!
Real Canadian Super Store
A 5016 51 Avenue
Click here for map and website
Super Store has quite a few gluten free items in their health food and organic section as well as scattered throughout and their prices are usually really good.
TIP: Also really good are the non-frozen gluten free items in their bakery section. Try the brownie bites or the lemon poppy seed loaf!
Costco
162 Leva Avenue
Click here for a map and the Costco Website
Costco seems to be bringing in more and more gf items and what they do have is generally offered at a pretty good price. They have a fresh GF bread in their bakery, gf pasta options, Cloud 9 flour, and some really good gf snacks. Again, we wouldn’t recommend making a special trip, but if you are there and have a membership, you may want to pick up a few things.
Specialty Stores
Big Bend Markets
Two locations:
- Southpointe Common #157 2004 50th Ave
-
15, 7619 – 50th Ave
Click here to go to their website.
Big Bend specializes in deli items and meats – many of which are gluten free – but they also have a good selection of gluten free grocery items (pastas, frozen foods, sauces) many of which are locally produced. They are also very knowledgeable about the products they sell. AND they just won the Bronze Golden Fork Award for Gluten Free Foods in Red Deer! (As well as the Gold award for their deli and for their organic foods!)
Nutters Bulk and Natural Foods
90D 5250 22 Street
Click here and here to go to local and overall websites.
Nutters has a complete aisle of gluten free items as well as some freezer items. In addition, the staff are usually quite knowledgeable about the products they sell. Their prices can be a bit higher than those of the larger chain stores.
TIP: Nutters has sales on the first Tuesday of every month and seniors day every Monday.
Sugar Free and More
(Also known as Low Carbs and More)
3434A 50th Avenue
Click here for store website and here for a list of gluten free products
This store specializes in nutrition and diabetic diets so has quite a few gluten free items as well. Their staff are knowledgeable about the items they sell and can often guide you towards purchases that suit your tastes and needs saving you money. We have also found that they carry different products and are often the first to bring in something new. As is usual with an independent store, their prices can be higher than those of the larger chains.
TIP: If you want to splurge, try the gf cheesecake!
Miscellaneous
London Drugs
109 2004 50th Avenue
Click here to go to the London Drugs website
Before Geoff was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, we never purchased groceries at London Drugs but now we often purchase gf cereal, crackers, and snack foods here. They don’t have a dedicated GF section so you have to hunt and search but their prices are generally quite good.
Home Sense
5001 19th Street and Gaetz Avenue
Click here to go to the Home Sense website
Another surprising place to purchase groceries but Home Sense has a small food section with a few gluten free items at good prices. Often the items are very different from what’s on offer at other Red Deer stores. This was where we first found good pretzels, a good brownie mix, and gf egg noodles! We wouldn’t recommend making a special trip, but if you’re there, check it out.
TIP: The food items do change so you may not always find what you are looking for.
Pet Stores
Fetch Haus
Unit 3 4946 53 Avenue
Click here to go to their website
Fetch Haus specializes in locally produced, high-quality pet products. The staff there is highly knowledgeable about the products they sell and can help you find gluten free pet foods that will not pose the threat of cross contamination and that your pets will love.
Thank you SO much for this! I’m no diagnosed in any way, but a friend gave me a website showing the list of symptoms for someone allergic to gluten, as I’ve been very sick the past several years (and getting far worse by the month). All tests have been negative and I’ve been declared healthy, which is an utter joke.
I won’t be any worse to try the elimination of gluten from my diet, and I would far rather try this than subject myself to the prescriptions my doctor keeps trying to prescribe (and I gleefully refuse!).
I’ve just started to research what this change means and I’m so delighted to find a website based in Red Deer!
So thank you again for taking the time to put this on the internet. It’s a joy to find and I will read through it!
Thanks for your kind words Janet. I hope gfandme.com helps you as you figure out the gf diet – it’s a steep learning curve at first, but it does get easier. Best of luck on your journey. Hope you are feeling much better soon.