Meijer History – A Michigan Company

The first Meijer “Thrifty Acres” grocery store opened in Greenville, Michigan in 1934. The second store opened in Cedar Springs in 1941, just down the street from where my in-laws grew up. This superstore sells not only groceries, but also clothing, games, electronics and more. Learn more about the history of Meijer stores on their website.

Where are Meijer Stores Located?

Since 1934, Meijer stores spread across Michigan and the Midwest. Today stores are also located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin. You can use the Meijer website to find a local store near you.

Meijer also owns a small collection of “city market” stores in Detroit, Royal Oak, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. These stores are smaller, and tend to offer more “local” products. For example. Rise Authentic Baking and Kind Crumbs products are available at the Bridge Street Market in Grand Rapids. However those products are not available at Meijer’s larger locations.

Meijer Digital Coupons – MPerks

Like many grocery store chains, Meijer offers their own digital coupons called MPerks. In addition to coupon savings, you can also accrue MPerks points. You can use these points towards additional savings, such as gas and future purchases. Meijer also accepts manufacturers coupons.

Does Meijer Accept Manufacturers Coupons?

Yes, Meijer accepts manufacturers coupons. However, individual manufacturer coupons over $5 in value must be redeemed at a staffed checkout lane. Anything over $5 cannot be redeemed at self checkout.

How to Search for Gluten Free Items at Meijer

Since not all Meijer stores stock the same products, I like to use the Meijer website or app before heading to the store. You can search for your favorite products by name. In addition, you can use the search term “gluten free” to find “new to you” products. Please be aware that it is not fool proof. Sometimes it lists items that are not gluten free.

Does Meijer Offer a Gluten Free Section?

Meijer no longer offers a gluten free section. They did for many years, but they dismantled it corporate wide in 2022. Now gluten free products are spread throughout the store, in their respective areas.

Does Meijer Have Gluten Free Tags On Shelves?

Yes, there are orange stripes with the words “gluten free” on some shelves. However, this isn’t always posted on all gluten free products. For example, there’s no orange tag under Sweet Loren’s gluten free cookies, but there is under GoGo Squeez applesauce.

Does Meijer Offer Store Brand Gluten Free Items?

Yes! They have gluten free pasta, pizza, cereal and much more. Many of the gluten free products are under the “True Goodness” brand name. HOWEVER, please know that not all True Goodness products are gluten free.

Does Meijer Test for Gluten in Their Own Products?

Below is the email reply I received from Meijer when I asked about their GF products.

Hi Margaret – Thanks for reaching out. Meijer requires the manufacturer of any Own Brand product to confirm the food meets the FDA definition of “gluten free.” This definition mandates the 20ppm threshold. Our vendors coordinate product testing and are contractually responsible to ensure this threshold is not exceeded.

Some items do carry 3^rd party certification for “gluten free” (such as GFCO – Gluten Free Certification Organization), for which testing and records are coordinated by the manufacturer of the foods. These foods would carry the associated logo on the product’s labeling. Meijer works with numerous manufacturing partners to produce Own Brand foods.

How To Locate Products on Shelves

While on the Meijer website or app, each product lists their aisle and section. For instance, fresh produce and bakery aisles are prefaced with A. Shelf stable groceries are usually prefaced with B. Then, each product is given a section.

For example, Celestial Seasonings Teas are in Aisle B 7, section 40 at my local store in Swartz Creek. This means you’ll find the teas in main grocery aisle 7. Each 3 ft section has a number. This will help you narrow down the area where the product is found.

Shop and Scan – Self Checkout

One added benefit of the Meijer app is the “Shop and Scan.” You can scan your purchases in the app, as you shop, and bag them as you go along. Then you will check out at the special Shop and Scan stations.

Staff will double check 4 or 5 products, and then the kiosk loads the rest of your groceries into the system. Pay with credit card and you’re on your way! You can also add a credit card to your Meijer account, and it will automatically pay for your groceries.

My Favorite Gluten Free Products at Meijer

As every person with Celiac Disease knows, it’s near impossible to buy every gluten free product you need at just one store. At Meijer I always snag their thin sliced cheese, certain Schar products, and Lance gluten free crackers, Maine Pie Co. gluten free pie shells, Kinnikinnick products, Aleia’s gluten free stuffing and more.

Items on Sale at Meijer This Week

Meijer sales run from Wednesday to Tuesday. Each week I update my Gluten Free Grocery Sales post with Meijer sales and Kroger sales. While many items I share are specifically gluten free, I also share sales on meat and produce. Shopping gluten free is expensive, and we can use every savings we can get!

I also recommend following my friend Tatanisha’s Saving Money at Meijer Facebook group. Not only does she post sales reminders, but group members also post great deals they found while shopping. (*It is not a celiac focused group, so not all posted sales items will be gluten free.)

Shopping Gluten Free at Other Stores

Looking for more information about shopping gluten free? You can check out my articles about shopping gluten free at Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Horrocks and Plum Market. My friend Sandi has excellent posts about shopping gluten free at Walmart and Costco.

What other questions do you have about shopping gluten free at Meijer? Drop them in the comments section and I’ll do my best to research them for you.

*This post is not sponsored by Meijer nor its affiliates. This post is intended for informational purposes only.

Originally published in 2024.

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