If you have ever tried to remove wheat from your diet, even for a short period of time, you know how tough it can be. You have to question every food that you haven't prepared yourself, you are always peppering store owners and waiters with questions about what ingredients they used, and worst of all you are often forced to resist food!
That's what makes this pop up marketplace so unique, and for anyone living gluten-free, it's basically heaven. Being able to stroll around and pop any sample that catches your eye into your mouth, worry free, is a beautiful experience. Butter Tart? Don't mind if I do!
Over 50 vendors set up shop at this market, to share their goods, and their knowledge about living and eating gluten free. Some vendors, served up hot and juicy sausages for sampling - these fellows got quite a few of our dollars. I couldn't resist the chicken sausages, and was also incredibly happy with the melt in your mouth, barbecued, all beef salami.
Quite a few vendors had sweets up for grabs. I was tempted by everything of course, but ended up choosing just one chocolate chip cookie, one peanut butter dream, and one beetroot brownie, all to share when we got home later that night.
Although not as glamourous, I think what made me happiest was stocking up on some breads and buns for the freezer. It's so hard to find good gluten-free bread, and it's so disappointing when you shell out for an expensive bakery loaf, only to get it home and find out it's so dense that you can't even get a sandwich down. Here, you can sample any bread before you buy it. That meant I lucked out with packs of bagel thins, hot dog and hamburger buns, and focaccia style rice buns. And I already know they all taste good!
I should also mention that I sampled everything and anything that I could. There was so much choice, and although the marketplace was full of shoppers, all the vendors were constantly refilling their samples and making sure everyone got a taste. Prices were also very reasonable, many vendors took their prices down since they didn't have to pay their usual markup required at a big grocery store.
Tons of food, all gluten free, and in a beautiful location - this was a Sunday well spent. Since this market came only 6 months after their first GFG market, I'm thinking it was a success as well. And that can only mean more to come!
To learn more about the event, vendors, or keep tabs on the next pop up, make sure you visit glutenfreegarage.ca.
To learn more about the event, vendors, or keep tabs on the next pop up, make sure you visit glutenfreegarage.ca.
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