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 veganoptions.

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 makesspecial sweet treats on certain holidays, but they also havemoresavouryvegan 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 TheSconery, 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.

Aswell,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 inWaterloois 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 thepopular chocolate-orange bar (imagine a Nanaimo bar).

The Sweet andSavouryPie 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 recipesif people call in orders, including nut-free, dairy-free, making items with a veganpie crust or even using sugar alternatives for people who are diabetic.

St. Jacobs

Sure, the St. JacobsMarket is known for the apple fritters and butter tartsbut that's also where Gluten-Free by Suziehas 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 arealso muffins, date almond balls and magic bars.

Take a trip to Guelph or Stratford

InGuelph, Sweet Temptations Cupcakeryoffers 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'sVegFestand abuttertartfestival in Hamilton on Saturday.

Otherwise, check at Guelph's Boathouse and Kitchener's Caf Pyrus for their products.

InStratford,RheoThompson Candies is just about entirely gluten-free (except for the licorice, pretzels and sugar-free chocolate), says Cathy Michiels ofRheoThompson.

There are a number of food gift items, like a 72 per centdark chocolate for vegan chocolate lovers.

"It's available as a plain wafer and as cranberry bark," Michiels says.

• More columns from CBC K-W food columnist Andrew Coppolino