Where to go in Waterloo region for nut-free, gluten-free and vegan treats
The number of people with food sensitivities and restrictions is on the rise, and the good news is, so are the local businesses that offer alternatives like nut-free, gluten-free and vegan options.
Here's a trip around Waterloo region, as well as stops in Guelph and Stratford, for a look at your options.
Cambridge
Bake Shop on Main makes special sweet treats on certain holidays, but they also have more savoury vegan bars and gluten-free brownies, owner Klara Johnson says. Check out their scones, too.
Located in downtown Galt, Unity Baking has a wide range of vegan and gluten-free brownies, cookies, bars, cupcakes and cakes. Unity makes good doughnuts, too.
Kitchener
Belmont Village is home to a couple of bakeries, including The Sconery, which has both sweet and savory offerings, says owner Ron Sutherland.
They also have more than a dozen macaron selections, and while it takes it out of the vegan realm, there is clotted cream for those scones.
You can also find them at St. Jacobs Market and Kitchener Market.
As well, check out Winnie's Gluten-Free Kitchen in the Belmont Village. There are a variety of options at this newly opened shop including bread, donuts, squares, muffins and biscuit cake.
Waterloo
Moore Avenue just about at Union Boulevard in Waterloo is home to CE Food Experience.
Owner Cecilia "Ce" Johnston says there are lots of gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options at her bakery, including the popular chocolate-orange bar (imagine a Nanaimo bar).
The Sweet and Savoury Pie Company has locations on Bridge Street and in Uptown in the Atrium as well as at the Kitchener Market.
Owner Henry DeJong says they have a "vegan veggie pie" that's chock-a-block full of vegetables like red onions, carrots, eggplant, sweet potato, zucchini, roasted peppers with a veggie-broth gravy on vegan pie crust (five- or nine-inch sizes).
Often, because everything is made from scratch, they can adjust recipes if people call in orders, including nut-free, dairy-free, making items with a vegan pie crust or even using sugar alternatives for people who are diabetic.
St. Jacobs
Sure, the St. Jacobs Market is known for the apple fritters and butter tarts but that's also where Gluten-Free by Suzie has a spot.
The stall includes gluten-free brownies made with organic cane sugar, no refined white sugar, no table salt and no vegetable oil.
There are also muffins, date almond balls and magic bars.
Take a trip to Guelph or Stratford
In Guelph, Sweet Temptations Cupcakery offers gluten-free options. Their macarons, like most macarons, are also gluten-free, manager-baker Kelsey Givens says.
Also based in Guelph, but without a permanent location yet, everything Fairly Frosted Vegan Bakery makes is vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.
If you're travelling, they will be at Mississauga's VegFest and a buttertart festival in Hamilton on Saturday.
Otherwise, check at Guelph's Boathouse and Kitchener's Café Pyrus for their products.
In Stratford, Rheo Thompson Candies is just about entirely gluten-free (except for the licorice, pretzels and sugar-free chocolate), says Cathy Michiels of Rheo Thompson.
There are a number of food gift items, like a 72 per cent dark chocolate for vegan chocolate lovers.
"It's available as a plain wafer and as cranberry bark," Michiels says.