Glutenfreegal is back! I know it’s been awhile since I’ve written, but I have good reasons! Work is busy, wedding planning is crazy and whatever time I have to write I’ve been using to post to the Vancouver Observer. Please check out my posts and recipes on there to keep updated on my latest cooking and baking experiments!
Now, onto this post.
I spent a weekend down in Seattle a couple weeks ago and spent most of my time checking out grocery stores. As usual. Joel and I go down to Seattle every so often to visit family and I’m always amazed at the variety of gluten free foods available in the States. Sure, the grocery stores here are getting better in their selection, but they are nothing compared to some of the stores in Seattle.
One chain store that I have fallen in love with is PCC. PCC Natural Markets is a chain based in western Washington, primarily in the Puget Sound area. They pride themselves on carrying high quality foods, supporting local sustainable agriculture and celebrating food, among other things. PCC is similar to Whole Foods, but almost without the pretentious feel you sometimes sense while in a Whole Foods. Now don’t get me wrong, I like Whole Foods, but I think a lot of what you’re paying when you shop there is because of the name.
PCC carries everything you could need, and their gluten free selection is simply part of the store, not a separate aisle or tucked away in a freezer. Gluten free items are easily identifiable by orange tags on the shelves and the stores all employ gluten free shopping specialists and train their staff in all things gluten free and Celiac.
All told, PCC carries around 2000 gluten free products. Compare this to your local Safeway or Save-On and this is incredible!
Another thing I love about this store is that they offer gluten free cooking and baking classes. I’m looking forward to attending a few of them!
We picked up a few things while we were there, of course, and so far there have been no disappointments. Well, at least not due to the products. I managed to find a bag of Bob’s Red Mill gluten free steel cut oats, and put them in a tupperware container when we got home, and Joel left the container on top of the fridge. He came home that afternoon to a kitchen floor covered in oats and one of our cats playing in them!
Other than that, everything has been fabulous! I came home with a box of Puffins honey rice cereal (really yummy), gluten free old fashioned oats, vegan gluten free burritos, Redbridge sorghum beer and Rudi’s multigrain bread.
The cereal disappeared within three days (Joel was eating it and I had no idea!), the oats are great for oatmeal, home made granola or baking, the burritos were a tasty after shopping snack and the bread and beer are good for anytime!
I would love for PCC to expand to Canada, but sadly I don’t think this will happen. I’ll just have to settle for visiting the PCC whenever I go to Seattle!
Check out PCC online at http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/
