I love my local organic food store. It took many many years for us to get anything like it in our rural area. I have to say the owner of Millie Hill Market has had her hands full with me. She is constantly ordering new GF items for us to try. To her delight most of them end up selling right off of her shelves. This is the type of relationship you want to have with your local store. If they are supportive it can make your life a ton easier.
Find out who is in charge of organic foods at your local grocery store.
They are always looking for feedback on what to carry. They want to know what will sell and if you can give them some items they might be more willing to carry similar items. If they seem hesitant just keep on building that relationship with them. Have other friends or family come in and request the same items. Usually if they get enough requests they will try out the product and watch the sales of these items.
I had been trying to get our local store to carry the Tinkyada noodles because they were my favorite. My uncle is a manager at this store and I had him ask his supervisor. After about a year of asking I lucked out one day. I was shopping and the store had managers from another store visiting and setting up displays. I asked them if I could talk with them for a minute and they were willing to listen.
I explained that the GF noodles they carried were not selling because they turn to mush when cooked. I also told them I had a much better quality noodle that would sell a ton faster. Let’s just say in a few short weeks my store had 4 different shapes of Tinkyada noodles and they have been selling like crazy. Now all I usually have to do is ask my uncle if they can carry an item. If they are able to order it they usually will. They had the Betty Crocker GF mixes almost imediately after I asked. This whole process makes grocery shopping a lot easier on us and our budgets.
6 Responses to “Gluten Free Shopping: Get to know your Grocer”
Stacie
11 months ago
It's hard to get things here in a small town. Sometimes we ask for things and they are only able to get a brand but not the item you want. It gets rather frustrating. I have to go out of a town for a lot of things as well as shopping as it's cheaper. This is really good advice though. Especially when you explained that the noodles turn to mush.
ajpassey
11 months ago
My sister-in-law has all kinds of food allergies, including soy which is used in most chocolate chips. She asked her local grocery store to try a brand she had found. The listened to her and ordered some. Now she has to go buy them the day they come in because they sell out so quickly! Who knew the demand was so high when only one person voiced the need? I'm proud of her for taking the initiative.
Tara McClenahan
11 months ago
Brenda,
This is great information for anyone to use! Thanks for sharing!
Tara
texaspawprints
11 months ago
Such a great idea about developing a relationship with your grocier. We have a great local organic food store and they are always so helpful there.
MKlosterman
11 months ago
Our local grocery is pretty good about keeping certain organic things on hand if someone requests it. You just have to make sure you keep buying it to keep it in stock.
max191
11 months ago
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