If you are among the one percent of Americans today with celiac disease, a condition requiring a gluten-free diet, you’ll find a great variety of tasty gluten-free products among merchants conveniently located within minutes of one another in Hartville and Lake Township! All have committed to filling this important food niche in their respective locations.
Pam Moore of Moore than Coffee (located in Edison Park Plaza next to Goodwill) began offering gluten-free baked goods – baked fresh daily by herself – at the suggestion of regular customers Gordon and Carol. Gordon is gluten intolerant. Pam finds and bakes gluten-free recipes, prepares them, and asks Gordon to taste them. “I give him the first one each time,” said Pam.
Pam has baked an apple streusel cake, chocolate chip banana muffins, and a double chocolate cake with pecans, all gluten-free, that she (and Gordon) particularly like. In addition, the Moores carry gluten-free boxed muffin mixes.
Meanwhile, at nearby R Grocery Outlet, (located at 214 Market Ave. SW) you’ll find gluten-free items ranging from all natural blue corn tortilla chips, and cheddar/jalapeno/toasted sesame-flavored tortilla chips, to peanut butter whole grain clusters, gummy bears, hummus, ranch dip, and strawberry cheesecake-flavored protein bars. According to an employee the cheddar flavored tortilla chips are especially popular and sell out quickly.
But if it is more gluten-free sweet treats that you crave, take a quick trip to Baby Cakes Bake Shoppe (located at 1138 W. Maple St.) on Mondays, when new owner Shawna Mack offers gluten-free cookies and cupcakes . The baker said two big sellers are a chocolate cupcake with whipped filling, and a vanilla cupcake with butter cream icing. Shawna explained she just recently started offering gluten-free items using quality, kitchen-tested recipes she learned after taking a local gluten-free baking class.
Or, if gluten-free pasta is on your list, visit Pappardelle’s Pasta located in shops 103-104 South 3rd St. of the Hartville Market Place. Here owner Linda Eizenberg sells 15 different handmade, gourmet-flavor infused gluten-free dried pastas including basil garlic penne, chipotle lime orzo, tomato basil mafaldine, and Italian pesto blend orzo. Linda says her gluten-free orzo pastas are especially popular.
In addition, Linda also sells popular gluten-free black bean brownies that are “really moist, super sweet, and chocolatey,” as well as assorted bread mixes, jellies, dips, and spreads. If it’s hard to choose from among the array of options, Linda helps by offering a Gluten-Free Combo Gift Bag that includes a garlic chive pasta, Tuscan dipping oil, and a bread mix, all for $26.
At the nearby Vitanet shop (located at 1138 W. Maple St.) owner Patty Miller sells assorted gluten-free flours including Italian chestnut flour, organic mesquite flour, chia omega flour, brown rice flour, white rice flour, and California almond flour, as well as a banana bread mix and chocolate chip cookie mix. “Our plan is to offer more gluten-free products for the coming new year,” said Patty.
A shopping trip to Lake Township is not complete without making two more stops at exciting destinations located on State Route 619 just minutes east of downtown Hartville. You’ll arrive first at Maize Valley Market & Winery (business address is 6193 Edison St. N.E. in Hartville), where their gluten-free products include rosemary and olive oil multi-seed crackers, a homemade, fresh quinoa salad prepared with chopped cilantro, chopped tomatoes, black beans, and olive oil, and a wide array of premium quality Boar’s Head meats, cheeses, and condiments.
If you want to enjoy a gluten-free lunch or dinner at the Winery, or need assistance with gluten-free requirements when catering a special event, the staff will be glad to assist you with menu selections.
Your next stop will be at the Pantry at Pegasus Farm (located at 7490 Edison St. N.E. at the west end of the Pegasus Farm parking lot) where gluten-free items include a highly recommended gluten-free cookbook, a chocolate chip cookie mix that they “can’t keep on the shelf,” pizza crust mix, pancake mix, soup bases, whole grain dry quinoa, rice flour, crackers, and bread mixes. Convenient pre-packaged gluten-free gift baking “bowls” including several of the above gluten-free mixes inside a wrapped bowl are also now available and cost $20 each.
In short, fear not if you follow a gluten-free diet! Visit the above mentioned merchants soon and your appetite for a variety of tasty food choices will be satisfied. Coming soon in the New Year – gluten free items will be available at The Pierogi Lady located inside the Hartville MarketPlace.
