[jaten]

Woo Hoo Woo Hoo Hoo!!!

I am so happy happy happy, and I knew y'all would appreciate my feeling. I just came from the local Kroger; AND I was just told that they are about to greatly expand the gluten-free section!!! The gluten-free foods they stock has already grown rapidly even just since I was diagnosed a couple of mos ago. Let me say it again....Woo hoo woo hoo hoo!

In their "natural foods" dept they have lots of gluten-free....Bob's Red Mill, Pamela's, Amy's, Annies, etc. and they're expanding?!?! The dept mgr said they can't keep it stocked and will be adding more inventory of what they carry but will also be expanding the variety.

For my finale....
Woo Hoo Woo Hoo Hoo!!

[mommida]

That is great news! The gluten free food market has increased 300%, and is an interesting stock to watch.
Laura

[VydorScope]

Thats great! Can you convince mine to do the same???

[cgilsing]

VydorScope, on Feb 17 2006, 11:30 PM, said:

Thats great! Can you convince mine to do the same???

No kidding! My Kroger doesn't carry any gluten-free food! I think they could take some tips from that Kroger!

[VydorScope]

cgilsing, on Feb 17 2006, 09:42 PM, said:

No kidding! My Kroger doesn't carry any gluten-free food! I think they could take some tips from that Kroger!

Oh mines somewhat good, meaning hte 3 or 4 items we buy regularly they have, and they have some of the more popular flours. Maybe 6 feet totla of gluten-free stuff on 1/2 hieght shevling.

[cgilsing]

This just inspired me to write a letter to Krogers! Our store is pretty small, but I don't know why they couldn't at least carry rice flour and some gluten-free crackers or something! I'll let you know if it does any good to complain about it

[VydorScope]

cgilsing, on Feb 17 2006, 10:03 PM, said:

This just inspired me to write a letter to Krogers! Our store is pretty small, but I don't know why they couldn't at least carry rice flour and some gluten-free crackers or something! I'll let you know if it does any good to complain about it

If it does, I'll send you my kroger's address

[tiredofdoctors!!!]

Hey -- put my Kroger's address in there, too!!!!! They care some things, but need a LOT more . . . .

[cgilsing]

I got a response back this morning! I just went to Kroger.com and wrote an e-mail to the corporate offices. Here is what I wrote:

To whom it may concern,
I have a condition called Celiac disease that affects one out of every 133 people in the United States. It is an auto-immune disorder that can only be controlled by a very strict life-long gluten-free diet. There are
very few processed and pre-packaged foods that I am allowed to eat. It is difficult to prepare my daily meals, but not impossible. However, having a few gluten-free staples available makes it much easier. I know that some of your stores offer gluten-free items, but as of this point the Kroger in Effingham, Il does not. Is there any possibility that they will start carrying these items as well? Is there anyting I can do to bring this need to the attention of the buyers for this particular market? Thank you for your time.

This is what I got back:

Dear Ms. Gilsinger:
Thank you for contacting Kroger regarding the availability of gluten free items. Your request has been forwarded to
the regional office for follow up.
We appreciate your inquiry and will do our best to assist with your request.

Sincerely,

Alyson Jabrocki
Consumer Affairs

I guess it's not a promise of a cornacopia of gluten-free food....but at least they are doing something with my letter!

[VydorScope]

cgilsing, on Feb 18 2006, 09:39 AM, said:

I guess it's not a promise of a cornacopia of gluten-free food....but at least they are doing something with my letter!

LOL! Well keep us updated

[nettiebeads]

I used to work at a grocery store. For a chain to make a 1% profit, all the stores in that chain have to make a 3% profit because of the high overhead and it's a labor intensive industry. You would think that with slim profit margins, stores would love to expand their gluten-free section, because that is a niche that has been growing at 19% or more each year as opposed to other sections that have a more or less flat growth. I haven't read a grocery industry mag for years, but I'm sure any time a store can expand just in one area and have a built in set of buyers, they would go for it. After all, there is always a sugar free, diabetic section in each store. We just the same, only not as well known or organized yet.
Annette

[mouse]

My grocery store (Basha's in Gold Canyon) just revamped their health food section. They even added a freezer section. They are now carrying more items and I was able to pick up a few gluten-free things from the freezer. I am going to have to go over my Wholefood's list before I go there and see what I can now buy at my grocery store. It is important that I buy as much as I can at my store. The more that is sold there, the more they will stock.

[WGibs]

armetta, on Feb 18 2006, 06:47 PM, said:

It is important that I buy as much as I can at my store. The more that is sold there, the more they will stock.

I agree with you. Even if I'm at Whole Foods, I won't buy something that I can get at my regular market -- I want to give my regular market as much encouragement as possible!

[jaten]

Sorry I posted and vanished....a mini-icestorm here in the Mid-South knocked out my internet for awhile.

I am fortunate, I have been to Kroger in nearby towns and either they have no gluten-free or the 6ft 1/2 high section that Vincent talked about. Our Kroger (small town) has shelves and shelves and freezer rows of the items I mentioned earlier in the "Natural Foods" dept.

VydorScope, on Feb 17 2006, 09:30 PM, said:

Thats great! Can you convince mine to do the same???

You may be able to help yourself with this. Here's what I mean....
The Natural Foods Dept. Mgr at our store said he would be glad to try to get in specific foods that I want, but that even more effective would be for me to call 1.800.KROGERS (with an S). He said that if a customer requests an item in a specific store that they bend over backwards to get that item for them. He said otherwise, sometimes when a dept mgr requests an item, sometimes they're able to get it, but not always. Anyway, he was very nice and took my information. He said he would do his best. He said that if Kroger could get my request into that market, he was certain it would happen between his request and my phone call. This guy was even familiar with gluten free needs!!! He said, "And now it's not just wheat, right? You can't have rye, and barley, and isn't there something else?" I almost fainted in the aisle!" Obviously others had been talking to him, but he had obviously been listening!

So, I'm working on a list of what I want: specific pamela's mixes, Lundgren Farm's Drink Rice, etc. (Our store carries some Lundgren Farms and some Pamela's but looking for other products by these companies, etc.)

Heck, while I'm at it, I'm going to attempt Kinnikinnick. Don't know if they can, but we'll see.

One thing that has obviously helped me is that while I live in a small town (pop 10,000) the University of Mississippi (Go Rebels!) is located here and adds another 10,000. We're not your typical small MS town. The dept. mgr said he has one other Celiac buying from him that he knows of, but also some clientele that believes a gluten-free diet is healthier for them.

Alright, I'll keep you posted. Best of luck in your gluten-free food pursuit. Give 1.800.KROGERS a call.

OH MY GOSH!!! As I am typing this, WREG the Memphis tv station on which I'm watching news just did a blurb on the McD FF wheat/dairy fiasco!! According to the reporter suits have been filed in 3 states. PLEASE, PLEASE dont' quote me on which states, the volume was kinda low, but I think she said MN, IL, and FL. This belongs in another post. Let's not confuse Kroger and McD

Ok, well, that's enough news for one post.

LATER EDIT
Regarding the McD "OH MY GOSH" paragraph. Thought that was new news (since I've been internet-less for a bit). I see it's already been discussed in other threads. I agree with other postings. I hope these suits don't back-fire on us all.

[VydorScope]

Well if htey would carry some Enjoy LIfe and some Kinikiniick stuff I would be set. Esply if they got the gluten-free chicken nuggets, might never have to go back to Wild oats! :|