We are lucky in Columbus to have great options for specialty markets and health food stores, but I can't pretend I don’t have my favorites. Topping the list is Raisin Rack, an independently-owned natural food market in Westerville, Ohio (located at the corner of Cleveland Ave. And Shrock Rd.). Not only did Raisin Rack give me my start baking wholesale almost ten years ago, it's still one of my favorite places to shop, both for my family and for the bakery. It's large enough for one-stop shopping and to have a fantastic variety of products. It's plain to see that Raisin Rack employees put a great deal of thought into the products they stock. Every employee I've talked to is both highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, which is a rare and exciting find in a grocery store.  

 Another rare treat that Raisin Rack offers is a genuine commitment to local goods and merchants. Raisin Rack supports local producers both in word and deed. The term "local" is thrown around with great ease these days, but when you walk into Raisin Rack you find shelves of products made within miles of the store and sometimes the makers or growers themselves are on hand to answer questions and hand out samples. When you walk into Cherbourg at any time, you can watch our baked goods being made on the counter just beyond the display. Transparency is essential to the way I run my business and I like knowing Raisin Rack values the same things.  They also have a great member rewards program that makes the drive well worth it. When you're making your grocery list this week, consider going a little off the beaten path for a huge gluten-free section, all organic produce, and a plethora of local goods at Raisin Rack.  

And if you're not in the Westerville area and don't feel like hopping on 270, the Bexley Natural Market,  ( or other area-specific co-ops) Whole Foods, and local farmers' markets are also great options for gluten and nut-free groceries!  Reading labels should be as important to the purveyor as it is to the buyer and these stores really care.  Happy Shopping!

Be Sweet & 

See you soon. 

Geri 

Top image from columbusunderground.com. All other images from raisinrack.com.