La Montanita Co-op is a community-owned consumer cooperative with several locations in Albuquerque. The Co-op focuses on offering organic meats and the freshest possible produce purchased from local vendors. They also offer a wide variety of gluten-free foods and their service is outstanding.
I visited the location in Nob Hill on Central and Carlisle. There are numerous gluten-free products in every category scattered throughout the store and they are displayed right next to their wheat-filled counterparts. A rather large section in one of the aisles is devoted to gluten-free flours and mixes.
In the back of the store, there is a small bakery area and I was delighted to find freshly baked gluten-free muffins and enormous gluten-free cookies. The baking area is quite small and there is only one oven. However, the baker explained that there are extensive precautions taken to prevent cross contamination.
Unfortunately, my visit to La Montanita occurred when I wasn’t the least bit hungry so I purchased one of those giant cookies and took it home. This was not a good idea because my teenage son found it and had polished it off before I had a chance to even enjoy a small taste. He said it was fantastic!
May, 2012