Gluten-Free Finds at Central Park Farms
Explore the Gluten-Free Options at the Central Park Farms’ Store
Over the past year we’ve had more and more customers ask the same question when they walk into the farm store:
“Do you have anything that’s gluten-free?”
For some people it’s a preference. For others it’s a medical necessity. Either way, we’ve been paying closer attention to it and making a conscious effort to bring in more products that work for customers avoiding gluten.
The good news is that when you start with a butcher shop, a farm kitchen, and a carefully chosen collection of pantry items, there are actually quite a few gluten-free options available for home delivery and even more in the store.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the items you’ll find when you visit.
A Quick Note About Our Facilities
Before we get into the details, it’s important to be transparent about how our kitchen and butcher shop operate.
While many of the products we make or carry do not contain gluten ingredients, our butcher shop and farm kitchen are not certified gluten-free facilities. They are working food production spaces where a wide variety of ingredients are used.
Because of that, there is always the possibility of cross-contact during preparation or handling.
For customers with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies, we recommend using your own discretion when purchasing prepared foods from our kitchen or butcher shop. If you ever have questions, our team is always happy to talk through ingredients and preparation methods.
From the Butcher Shop
One of the easiest ways to eat gluten-free is to start with simple, whole ingredients, and that’s something a butcher shop naturally does well. In fact, every meat option here at Central Park Farms is gluten-free.
All of our beef, pork, and chicken cuts are naturally gluten-free, making them a great starting point for meals at home.
Our house-made sausages are also made without gluten ingredients, which surprises a lot of people since many store-bought sausages contain fillers or breadcrumbs. At our shop, we keep the ingredient lists straightforward and focused on good meat and seasoning.
The same can be said about all our cured meat products including our ham, bacon, pepperoni, and cured sausages.
Customers looking for gluten-free meal options often pick up:
Fresh cuts of grass-fed beef
Pasture-raised pork
Free-range chicken
Our house-made sausages and cured meats
These proteins make it easy to build a simple dinner around meat, vegetables, and a few pantry staples.
Jagger’s Jerky
Another popular gluten-free option in the store is Jagger’s Jerky.
Made in small batches using beef and pork from our own farm, Jagger’s Jerky has quickly become a go-to snack for customers looking for something high in protein and easy to grab on the go.
The jerky is seasoned and smoked without gluten ingredients, and the recipe keeps things simple — meat, thoughtful seasoning, and careful preparation.
It’s become a favourite for:
road trips
school lunches
gym bags
quick afternoon snacks
Bonus, it’s also MSG-free and lactose-free.
From the Farm Kitchen
Our farm kitchen, run by Chef Adrian, produces a rotating selection of ready-to-bake meals and prepared foods designed to make dinner a little easier.
Many of Adrian’s dishes are naturally gluten-free or made without gluten ingredients.
Because the kitchen menu changes regularly, the specific gluten-free options vary week to week. On any given visit you may find items like:
Chicken & Sundried Tomato Meatballs
Beef Stroganoff
Pulled Chicken & Pulled Pork
Vegetable Tomato Sauce
Bacon & Corn Chowder
Yam, Leek & Sweet Potato Gratin
If you’re looking for something gluten-free from the kitchen, the easiest thing to do is ask our team when you’re in the store. We’re always happy to point you towards the options that fit your needs.
Gluten-Free Pantry Items in the Farm Store
In addition to the meat and prepared foods we produce on the farm, we’ve also been expanding the gluten-free options on our retail shelves.
These products make it easier for customers to build a full meal or snack basket while they’re here.
Some of the gluten-free items you’ll regularly find in the store include:
Gluten-free crackers
Gluten-free sauces and condiments
Gluten-free specialty snack foods
Gluten-free pierogies
Gluten-free flour & baking mixes
Our retail selection changes throughout the year as we work with different Canadian food producers, but we’re always looking for high-quality products that fit well with the rest of what we sell.
Making It Easier to Shop the Way You Eat
Our goal with the farm store has always been simple: help people cook better meals at home while supporting local food producers.
As more customers ask for gluten-free options, we’ve been making sure there are more choices available throughout the store — whether that’s meat coming out of the butcher shop, prepared meals from the farm kitchen, or pantry staples on our retail shelves.
Because we’re a small store that works with local producers, our selection changes regularly, but if you’re ever looking for gluten-free products, just ask when you’re here.
We’re always happy to help point you in the right direction.