gaspe' - what are the larger grocery stores

[dcason]

I will be travelling in the gaspe' area and my search for nofrills or atlantic superstore doesn't work there...so what are the big grocery stores. I need lots of fresh veggies/fruit, gluten free goodies. I am bringing a lot of stuff over but you never know what the border dudes will take and need to stock up when I get there.

Last time they let me keep my veggies:B
Donna

[tony_lee]

1. When you start to check out an area for a trip to part of Canada, do you contact the provincial department of tourism (i.e. google.ca search term: "name of province & tourism") to get the visitors guide? Basic step 1.

2. Do you bring up google maps and look at the names of the places on that tour route? Then google up two websites for key names: municipality webpage & Wikipedia review of population settlement and history. basic step 2.

Errr, No!

We find it more interesting to just go somewhere and discover things as we go.

As for finding food shops. Our sure-fire method is to drive until we see a big building with a line of shopping trolleys lines up outside. Almost never fails.

[dcason]

Thanks, I have allstays camp & rv so I got walmart locations and plan to use them if absolutely necessary for an overnight. Hope to find some scenic places to overnight:B

[Paoli]

There are all kinds of big stores, including Walmart if you are looking for a night stop.

[kodiakcanuck]

Not sure why you got such a hard time for a valid question. Back when we first started crossing to the US, I would have appreciated a list of good grocery stories that carrying gluten free products. I find some of the stores I went to in upstate NY a little difficult to find good stuff.

Loblaws, Metro and Sobeys all have a fairly good variety of these products. I find Canadian stores offer more choices for gluten free breads and buns (in the freezer section), while the US store offer more choices on snack food (junk food)items 😉 Be prepared, our prices are little more expensive, i.e the gluten free bread is around $5.99 a loaf, but taste much better than any US brands I found.

Send me over some more Chex gluten free cereal if you can, I am out from our last run to NY, General Mills doesn't sell that cereal here for some reason :h

Enjoy your trip!

[Little_Kopit]

I have a basic question for the thread starter.

1. When you start to check out an area for a trip to part of Canada, do you contact the provincial department of tourism (i.e. google.ca search term: "name of province & tourism") to get the visitors guide? Basic step 1.

2. Do you bring up google maps and look at the names of the places on that tour route? Then google up two websites for key names: municipality webpage & Wikipedia review of population settlement and history. basic step 2.

In this case those two steps will help you see differences between the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River and the South Shore of the St. Lawrence River.

And also, I am not the only one who missed the dietary need you have. Put such as either the first words of a sentence or the last words of a paragraph.

So, check for health food stores in places like Rimouski, Matane and Gaspe. If they have webpages email them and ask where to find what you want. I'd bet you can find gluten free bread.

Lastly, may I suggest using Canadian sources. If you can find a suitable media center, such as www.cbc.ca and search for radio or television. Radio especially can be picked up online. Follow through: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Quebec_media Under radio I see quite a few called CBC Radio One. That's jargon to replace 'am' radio. I have known a potential Labrador traveler to hunt up the towns there and contact each and every weekly newspaper and get online address.

We keep hearing of folks overseas who use these sources to keep up with 'home.'

:C

[dcason]

Orion, thank you for that info...didn't know the prevalence in Europe versus Canada versus USA. I did know that European ancestry was a key ingredient. Its only been a year for me and there is a lot of gluten free things out there. If you have been eating gluten free for many years it must have been VERY difficult back then...cannot imagine.
I have other newly developed food intolerances as well that make it even more difficult...but heck I am still going to travel with my mobile kitchen! If not for my motorhome, I would be stuck at home.
Donna

[Community Alumni]

Note: I have edited and deleted posts that were reducing this thread to flaming; please keep thing civil and on topic.

Thank you,

... Eric (Moderator)

[Orion]

Just so you know Donna, we have to look for Gluten Free items too, and it can be a bit of a pain when you travel. I can remember when we discovered the problem, oh so many years ago, way before it became a life choice, the incidence of Celiac Disease was one in four hundred in Europe, where it was first discovered. One in eight hundred in Canada, maybe because of all the British doctors who emigrated to Canada in the 50s & 60s, and one in TEN THOUSAND in the US. This disparity was thought to be not because of any ethnic differences, but because it was simply not on the US, and to a lesser degree, the Canadian, doctors' 'radar'.
I'm sure that this is not the case now, but based on what we have discovered, you may find it easier to find GF here.
We fully understand that the smaller grocery stores here may be lacking in this regard.
Have a great time, we really enjoyed visiting Quebec.

[dcason]

Thank you...my thoughts exactly a couple of good answers and than just slamming...not very good ambassadors IMHO.

Nonetheless, I truly appreciate those who gave me answers to my questions.
Donna

[CueSee]

Well lessee here. A mall in Rimouski, then 45 minutes later to Matane and then on to Ste-Anne-des-Monts but all along there are AMI or RICHELIEU chains etc. You won't starve.

I've been on the Peninsula every month of the year and I'll probably get a blast for this one, but in my opinion they could shut down the 132 in Ste-Flavie on Oct. 1st..no wait a minute, Matane (The Gaspé Deputy, Mr. Bérubé lives there), and reopen on June 15th. From after Labour Day things start shutting down an by Oct.1st there is not much going on. CGs are shut down, well maybe one or two might be open still yet (I don't use CGs). I was in Percé in February and two places were open, the Post Office and a coffee shop across the street which closed at 11:00.

Still in all it is one beautiful place year round.

[dcason]

Thanks...an answer!

I was basing my question on route 138 in northern quebec a trip we took last year where we found a much more rural area (very nice)...no strip malls there.

This October it will be route 132 around gaspe to NB and PEI and the southern shore of NB.

That helps.
Donna

[63-Coupe]

If you are going around Gaspe in a big circle check out Atholville (Campbellton) New Brunswick for an Atlantic Superstore, Walmart, Canadian Tire, etc. The town is just over the bridge from Quebec Hwy. 132. The stores are all in the same general location with big parking lots.

[JackD]

Don't worry, you'll find what you're looking for in most town in Quebec.... people up here need to eat too 🙂 a few times a day.

On the main street in Gaspé along the ocean, you will see this. It is called a shopping mall,



PROVIGO is a large food chain.

You may also see Loblaws,Sobeys,IGA and Metro which are all major food chains.
In larger towns, Walmart or Target also carry food in their SuperStores.

[Fizz]

At this time of year you will see roadside stands every few miles.
Everything offered will have been picked that same day. Right now sweet corn on the cob is available by the ton.


EDIT:
You should have mentioned the time of year.
Still lots of fresh produce available in all stores.