Navigating the Harmon's Natural Section: Harmon's Brickyard

I think I'm feeling like blogging today because I'm still upset about the Pacific Gold beef jerky incident. Grrrr.

I just wanted to share some information about my favorite gluten free shopping location.
The reason it's my favorite? It's relatively close to my Sugarhouse apartment (less than 10 minute drive), is huge, is well-priced (in contrast to the closer Whole Foods location I pass on the way there), and the folks are so friendly and knowledgable. Oh, and don't forget the fact that it's open til midnight. This is actually a big deal for us.

By the way, the Harmon's Brickyard store is located in Salt Lake City at the intersection of 3300 South and Richmond Street (about 1200 East).

When you walk in, on the left there is a fairly large "natural section." It includes a selection of chips, salsa, bars, crackers, baking supplies, frozen foods (including TV dinners, pizza, donuts, and buns), cereals, rice bars and other snacks. This includes gluten free, and a variety of other "specialty foods" in these categories.

I find that in going to the basic grocery stores in my area, Harmon's by far has the largest selection of natural foods, including gluten free foods. This was store of choice on "that first shopping trip," where we first ventured into the gluten free world.

I discovered, aiding any new or experienced shopper - the purple tag. Any item that is clearly labeled "gluten free," many which are naturally gluten free, and some that have just undergone rigorous user-testing and feedback to the store have a little purple square tag hanging off the shelf in front of the product. That means you can quickly walk down the aisle, say the soup aisle, and be directed towards gluten free products. They also have "organic" and "all-natural" tags (which are green and yellow, respectively), but I was so relieved to cruise the aisles looking for purple. I also discovered some new stuff this way. And the tags are throughout the entire store :). And, I was also pleased to note that products that are not truly gluten free, such as Barbara's Puffin cereal (processed in a plant that also processes wheat), did not get the honor of purple.

Harmons, I love ya. Let me count the ways.

Oh, and I think I need a fan photo next to a purple tag.