My co-workers sometimes tease me as we’re stacking the cases of products that arrive on freight days. Surrounding us are towers of yogurt, frozen fruit and veggies and … bread. Yes, bread. Our Co-op bakery makes amazing loaves to satisfy the cravings of whole-wheat addicts like me. But what about those who can’t digest the gluten in wheat (and rye and barley and oats)? That’s where my bread tower comes in.

I’m thrilled that so many delicious wheat-free and gluten-free breads and tortillas are available to us. The Co-op has almost a full door of special diet breads (and bagels!) in the freezer section. Glutino makes four varieties: fiber, corn, cinnamon raisin and flaxseed. They also have two kinds of bagel: plain and sesame. Food For Life offers such tempting flavors as almond rice, rice pecan, raisin pecan, red rice and millet. In addition to wheat-free and gluten-free bread, they also make two kinds that are yeast-free as well.

Love to make your own pizza? Glutino and Nature’s Hilights offer gluten-free pizza shells. Crave burritos? Wander over to the open-face cooler and you’ll find several wheat-free and gluten-free choices: Sonoma ivory teff wraps and corn tortillas; Food For Life brown rice tortillas; and Buenatural corn tortillas.

Having alternatives to traditional whole grain bread is awesome, but do they taste good enough to satisfy your craving? In general, gluten-free breads have a lighter crumb and a slightly sweeter taste than wheat-based breads. I especially like them toasted.

Space restrictions prevent me from bringing in more special diet breads. If there is one you like but is not on the Co-op’s shelves, please don’t hesitate to ask if it’s available from our distributor. I’d be happy to special order it for you.