Grocery Shopping

[smilie-girl99]

This is a survey for class if you could please take 1 minute to answer thank you

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

Yes No

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

Yes No

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

Yes No

Comments:

[Lisa]

Smilie:

Tell us about yourself and how did you finds all of us here?

What is you survey about?

What class are you taking?

What is you subject for you class project?

[smilie-girl99]

Smilie:

Tell us about yourself and how did you finds all of us here?

Im a college student i found you here when i was doing research for school

What is you survey about?

Its about people who cant eat certain foods because of allergies or other conditions

What class are you taking?

What is you subject for you class project?

Im in a business program in college and the class i am taking is starting a small business

i want to start a grocery store that caters to people with food restrictions

[kbtoyssni]

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

Yes, I do (and my mum).

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

No. Although for my mum it's harder to buy the specialty gluten-free food because the store is far away.

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

Yes. I already shop at the local Fresh and Natural Foods for all my specialty gluten-free foods. But I do most of my food shopping at Cub Foods or SuperTarget because it's most convenient.

[Nantzie]

This is a survey for class if you could please take 1 minute to answer thank you

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

- Yes. Myself and my two young children (ages 3 and 4) eat gluten-free.

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

- Yes, although it is getting easier. I get most of my food at mainstream grocery stores. I can get a few things at some local health food stores. But I do order a lot of food online.

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

Yes!!!!

Comments: One of the things I would like in a store for people with food restrictions is clear and seperate sections for different types of food. One section for gluten-free that is ONLY gluten-free. Then a clear divider of some sort before the next xyz-free section. I would also stock products in multiple sections. For example, an item might be gluten-free, dairy-free and soy free. I'd stock it in all three sections. The idea is that we all have to analyze and read labels in the regular grocery stores all the time. It would be AMAZING to be able to walk into a store, go to the section I need and not have to read the label.

In most healthfood stores that have a gluten free "section", the gluten-free stuff is blended in with non gluten-free stuff. So you still have to read labels and know what you're doing as far as reading labels. I'm sure there are a lot of people new to the gluten-free diet who get sick because they're eating something from the gluten-free section that isn't gluten-free.

Nancy

[gabby]

Hi,

Best of luck on getting your grocery store going!

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

Yes, me and my husband.

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

Well, we can shop at any grocery store, but we are very limited with what we can buy.

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

That depends.

-are products clearly labelled

-are products seperated properly (breads kept away from gluten-free products, etc)

-does the store have a good turn-over so that products are replenished on a regular basis

-are prices reasonable

-is the staff knowledgeable and friendly (i.e. they don't tell you things like: oh, you can just take lactese if you're allergic to caseine, etc)

-what would also be great is a courtesy telephone in the store where customers can call a manufacturer right on the spot to ask them about possible allergens.

-a computer with internet connection might also be a good idea to have available so customers can just check out the manufacturer's website right there and get the nitty-gritty on suspect ingredients

Most of all, I think it is most important that this store feel like a safe haven for us customers who need to ask lots of questions about everything.

Oh, and one more thing that would be totally awesome:

-lots of us have trouble getting certain products that are not carried in regular stores, because the shipping costs make the products too expensive (ever tried getting 10lb of a specialty flour delivered plus shipping???). So it would be great if you could offer this service:

-group ordering: let's say you can't carry a product regularly because it isn't that popular. But one person wants it. Well, put it on a list and let other customers order it too, so that in the end they can all share the shipping cost.

Hope this all helps!

[gfp]

Comments: One of the things I would like in a store for people with food restrictions is clear and seperate sections for different types of food. One section for gluten-free that is ONLY gluten-free. Then a clear divider of some sort before the next xyz-free section. I would also stock products in multiple sections. For example, an item might be gluten-free, dairy-free and soy free. I'd stock it in all three sections. The idea is that we all have to analyze and read labels in the regular grocery stores all the time. It would be AMAZING to be able to walk into a store, go to the section I need and not have to read the label.

Yep that really annoys me... I think I just found something new and then its "whole wheat" or something....

A serious store could label everything really clearly on the aisles with big bold warnings on every item...

In most healthfood stores that have a gluten free "section", the gluten-free stuff is blended in with non gluten-free stuff. So you still have to read labels and know what you're doing as far as reading labels. I'm sure there are a lot of people new to the gluten-free diet who get sick because they're eating something from the gluten-free section that isn't gluten-free.

I'm so sure your right... I have picked it up and had it in the basket and I'm absolutely fanatical about label reading but sometimes we just read what we want...

Its not your fault but this question is really pointless.

It would depend of course what they carried but far more importantly it would depend on how they handled the products, so many "healthfood stores" accidentally contaminate gluten-free items. I hate this, my local healthfood store has gluten-free bread.. but its on the same shelf as the other bread so its pointless. I then end up having to buy packaged bread just to be safe... and since I don't like packaged breads and they are not worth the money to me on the whole I rarely buy them and rarely use the store.

The also have a seperate gluten-free section but it merges into the wholewheat section.....

-is the staff knowledgeable and friendly (i.e. they don't tell you things like: oh, you can just take lactese if you're allergic to caseine, etc)

-what would also be great is a courtesy telephone in the store where customers can call a manufacturer right on the spot to ask them about possible allergens.

-a computer with internet connection might also be a good idea to have available so customers can just check out the manufacturer's website right there and get the nitty-gritty on suspect ingredients

These are fantastic ideas....

Oh, and one more thing that would be totally awesome:

-lots of us have trouble getting certain products that are not carried in regular stores, because the shipping costs make the products too expensive (ever tried getting 10lb of a specialty flour delivered plus shipping???). So it would be great if you could offer this service:

-group ordering: let's say you can't carry a product regularly because it isn't that popular. But one person wants it. Well, put it on a list and let other customers order it too, so that in the end they can all share the shipping cost.

Especially the staff thing, my local store I end up asking other intolerants.... what's that stuff like, did you try it before?

as are these....

I think this answers the question much better.... Follow gabby's advice and your onto a winner and so are your customers!

[Phyllis28]

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

Yes - myself

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

No - I live in a metropolitan area with a wide variety of stores.

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

Yes - I already do. I shop at Wild Oats and Henry's (part of the Wild Oats Chain).

Comments

In my opinion one of the keys to success of your store will be location. I only rarely shopped that carried special gluten free food until about 5 years ago when Wild Oats opened stores within a reasonable driving distance. I simply ate naturally gluten free food and did not try to find replacements for gluten food.

[kbtoyssni]

Call me weird, but I like having the gluten-free food mixed in with the regular. Maybe it makes me feel more like a normal consumer that shops the entire store. I like seeing the other food products that are available even if I can't eat them. This way I know I'm getting the best selection, maybe because I don't trust stores to be able to find all the gluten-free food because they don't live this, and I am not about to have anyone limit my options. However, the fresh and natural foods I go to has the price labels along the shelves in red for gluten-free food so it's easy to scan down the aisle and focus in on the gluten-free stuff.

[gfp]

Call me weird, but I like having the gluten-free food mixed in with the regular. Maybe it makes me feel more like a normal consumer that shops the entire store.

LOL, I know what you mean

I like seeing the other food products that are available even if I can't eat them. This way I know I'm getting the best selection, maybe because I don't trust stores to be able to find all the gluten-free food because they don't live this, and I am not about to have anyone limit my options. However, the fresh and natural foods I go to has the price labels along the shelves in red for gluten-free food so it's easy to scan down the aisle and focus in on the gluten-free stuff.

I like both, most of my vegetables, fruit and meats and fish I buy from fresh markets but stuff like cannot tomatoes I tend to do a big monthly shop. When Im doing monthly shops then I like it mixed in, I sorta do every Aisle (except obvious no-goes) because this is when I buy stuff like new sponges, bin bags and stuff as well.

In between I sometimes hit the specialitiy stores for gluten-free pasta or something but like I described earlier....

.........until about 5 years ago when Wild Oats opened stores within a reasonable driving distance. I simply ate naturally gluten free food and did not try to find replacements for gluten food.

I pretty much still do this although I have 5-6 places within a 5 minute walk.... I think once I got into the habit I preferred it.

When I cook for visitors they usually don't realise its gluten-free until they ask for bread... because I just adjust my cooking to fit.

Mostly I think if I did make gluten-free substitute stuff they would tell straight off.

[Guhlia]

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

Yes, Me, but my family is gluten free as well in support

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

No, Wal-mart is a God send

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

Probably once, when it first opened, but likely not on a regular basis. I enjoy internet ordering far too much.

Comments: There are lots of stores that have a gluten free section and they are all overpriced. I try to stay away from the specialty stores because they're just too expensive and they really carry products I don't need. Why should I buy a special gluten free ketchup when I can just go buy some Heinz? I always feel like they're trying to take me for all my money at those little specialty stores.

[Guest cassidy]

1. yes

2. not a one word answer - I have a problem going grocery shopping and finding everything I need at one store. I have a grocery store and about 4 health food stores that I have to go to, to get everything gluten-free that I like to eat.

3. yes

[new to LI]

This is a survey for class if you could please take 1 minute to answer thank you

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

Yes No

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

Yes No

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

Yes No

Comments:

yes: i do but my DD although not offically celiac is also gluten-free

no: I have a wonderful shop Dr B Wells. dedicated section as well as clearly posted gluten-free in each isle

yes: and already do

[jkmunchkin]

Do you (or someone you know) have celiac or have eating restrictions on food?

Yes. Me, my brother and my cousin.

Do you (or they) find it hard to go grocery shopping?

No, but I find I have to go to several stores to find everything I need/want. For instance I go to Stop & Shop for my everyday groceries, Whole Foods for some gluten free foods, Mrs. Greens for products by brands like Glutino, Foods by George, etc. And then a small health food store in New Cannan called Health Fare, for even more specialized products like stuff by The Grainless Baker. But in the end I am able to get everything I want (and then some). LOL!

If there was a store that catered to people who had restrictions on what they could eat would you shop there?

Yes, and I do. (Mrs. Greens and Healthfare)

And just to add to what kbtoyssni said, I agree, I prefer when some of the specialty products are mixed in with the normal people food. Would it kill them to put the gluten free cereals in the isle with all the others