Trader Joe's Help

[jayhawkmom]

We are getting ready to head out for thanksgiving and I'm trying to determine what foods we should/shouldn't bring with us.

My inlaws have a Trader Joe's near their home and tell us that they have an "extensive" gluten free section.

The last time we went on vacation, we were told that a specific store had an "extensive" gluten free section and it turned out to be a freezer case full of waffles, bagels, and donuts. And, that was about IT.

Can you give me any idea whether or not I should be really packing our vehicle FULL of products for our kids, or can I trust that Trader Joe's will suffice??

Added information... my gluten-free children are 1 & 5 so "kid friendly" is what I'm looking for.

Thank you for your help!!

[kimberleyshort]

We are getting ready to head out for thanksgiving and I'm trying to determine what foods we should/shouldn't bring with us.

My inlaws have a Trader Joe's near their home and tell us that they have an "extensive" gluten free section.

The last time we went on vacation, we were told that a specific store had an "extensive" gluten free section and it turned out to be a freezer case full of waffles, bagels, and donuts. And, that was about IT.

Can you give me any idea whether or not I should be really packing our vehicle FULL of products for our kids, or can I trust that Trader Joe's will suffice??

Added information... my gluten-free children are 1 & 5 so "kid friendly" is what I'm looking for.

Thank you for your help!!

Trader Joes' usually has a gluten free list of products that they carry at their front desk area. They almost always stock gluten free rice bread, waffles, brown rice pasta, gluten free energy bars, soup etc. I shop at TJ's on a regular basis because their list of products is so extensive. They don't have a "gluten free" section but the products on the list are grouped by category so as you are shopping in a particular section of the store you can look for the specific item.

[DingoGirl]

They don't have a SECTION, it's all over the store. But, I shop there twice a week, and there are a few things I always buy. Cantella's sausages (expensive but SO good), White cheddar popcorn, Columbus meats, frozen waffles, Savory Thins rice crackers, salsas, guacamole and chips (I love the Spicy Flax Seed chips), taquitos (chicken and bean, but not the beef), the soups in the cartons, and more. Look for the list, they'll have everything on it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Amanda L]

The Trader Joe's here in Vancouver is tiny. I had a hard time just moving through the store, and I really didn't find a whole lot. The Wild Oats here is MUCH better, and bigger too.

[Nancym]

I think their Gluten Free flyer is on their web site.

[prinsessa]

I just wanted to say to be careful about what is labeled gluten free. At the Trader Joe's by our house, they have Puffins marked as gluten free when they aren't (except for the Honey Rice ones). I told the manager about it, but they didn't change it when I went back. I already mentioned it on this message board, but I'm not sure if you read that post. I thought I could totally trust Trader Joe's, but I guess you can't ever be too careful. I think they just made a mistake. A lot of people think wheat free=gluten free. They do have really good gluten free waffles (that are much cheaper than other gluten free waffles). Just make sure to double check the labels before you buy anything.

[Franceen]

I know Thanksgiving is over now. But thought that it is important for everyone to know that there are two versions of Trader Joes: the East Coast and the West Coast stores. They even have different web pages and are not managed by the same distributer, so they have different things and they do not look alike either.

The West Coast version is the one that has more Gluten Free stuff, I think.

I visit my inlaws in Reno NV and go to TJ there - where I find quite a bit of gluten-free stuff. I live in Fredericksburg VA where there is absolutely NOTHING gluten-free except a few things in the Giant (Bob's Red Mill - which isn't to be trusted). The Trader Joes' in Richmond and Alexandria don't even resemble the ones in Reno, San DIego and other west coast locations.

So, "CAVEAT EMPTOR" ("Buyer Beware") applies.

[allison]

I discovered the other day that the "wheat free toaster waffles" are made on equipment that processes wheat...I have been eating them for a long time and I don't think they bother me.

Watch out, if you are that sensitive!

I know Thanksgiving is over now. But thought that it is important for everyone to know that there are two versions of Trader Joes: the East Coast and the West Coast stores. They even have different web pages and are not managed by the same distributer, so they have different things and they do not look alike either.

The West Coast version is the one that has more Gluten Free stuff, I think.

I visit my inlaws in Reno NV and go to TJ there - where I find quite a bit of gluten-free stuff. I live in Fredericksburg VA where there is absolutely NOTHING gluten-free except a few things in the Giant (Bob's Red Mill - which isn't to be trusted). The Trader Joes' in Richmond and Alexandria don't even resemble the ones in Reno, San DIego and other west coast locations.

So, "CAVEAT EMPTOR" ("Buyer Beware") applies.

[Cynbd]

I discovered the other day that the "wheat free toaster waffles" are made on equipment that processes wheat...I have been eating them for a long time and I don't think they bother me.

Watch out, if you are that sensitive!

I have noticed that about a lot of their gluten free products... they say they are gluten free, but then on the back state that they are made on machines that process milk, wheat, etc... be carefu!

Cin