Frequently Asked Questions

Specifically regarding gluten...

The gluten-free community asks a lot of questions regarding the safety and other details of food they consume - which makes a lot of sense! Check out these FAQs to answer some of the wonderings you may have as well:

What type of business is Niche Nourishment?

Niche is a home based vendor, under Indiana's cottage food laws, creating baked goods out of a home kitchen, and selling those goods directly to customers.

Where can we buy your products?

You can order products online for pick up or delivery. Special orders can be made by contacting us at nichenourishment@gmail.com. Niche is also at the Gluten-Free in Indy markets throughout the year. Check out the Gluten-Free in Indy page for more of those details!

Do you have a storefront? Can I come see what you have for sale in person?

We do not have a storefront. Since I am a home based vendor, my business is out of my home; for personal time and privacy reasons, we can't have people coming in to look at what baked goods we offer. I do my best to take good pictures and post those online with descriptions, where you can order those goods from our website! Facebook and Instagram are great places to see more pictures and videos of our treats and sweets.

Are you on social media?

You can find Niche on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Niche-Nourishment-61571506257811/

or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nichenourishment

What makes Niche different than other gluten-free options?

I prepare comfort foods, cleaned up. Every treat or sweet I prepare is free from gluten, dairy, peanuts, soy, shellfish, artificial colors. I use refined sugars as sparingly as possible, favoring lower glycemic options like coconut sugar and honey. My goal is to provide delicious treats that even folks with food sensitivities can safely enjoy, while avoiding indulgence recovery and regret!

Is your kitchen a dedicated gluten-free kitchen?

In our kitchen, we have a dedicated toaster oven, in a separate area of the kitchen, where only pre-packaged foods containing gluten are prepared. Because this is our home kitchen, one of our family members (who is not gluten-free) cooks pre-packaged, frozen pizza in that separate oven, on disposable foil or parchment. Gluten-containing foods are NEVER in the baking oven or on countertops or use any utensils or other appliances in our kitchen. Gluten-containing foods are NEVER present while Niche products are being made or packaged. My husband is the only gluten eating person in our home, and he uses disposable everything for those gluten foods, including paper towels and disinfectant to sanitize any areas he comes into contact with. We are METICULOUS about safety and cleanliness in our kitchen! 

Is there airborne (loose) gluten-containing flour in your kitchen? (e.g. from homemade breads/baked goods, pizza crusts, etc.)

Nope. NEVER. 

Have your appliances, baking sheets, utensils, storage containers, etc. ever been used for gluten-containing foods?

No. All materials used for Niche goods were purchased new and have never been used for gluten-containing foods.

What about other allergens? How do you prevent cross-contact between those?

Utensils are washed thoroughly after one use of any ingredient, to prevent cross-contact between other allergens (i.e. nuts, eggs, etc.). Products made with nuts, eggs, or any of the other top allergens are prepared separately from products containing those potential allergens. (We NEVER use any: gluten, dairy, peanuts, soy, or shellfish.)

For single ingredient items being used in gluten-free dishes/products, how do you verify gluten-free status? (examples might include granulated sugar, frozen vegetables with no additives, single ingredient spices, etc.)

We use single ingredient items that are either labeled or certified gluten-free or we have verified gluten-free status with the manufacturer if packaging is not labeled.

For multiple ingredient items used in gluten-free dishes/products (sauces, breads, toppings, coatings or thickeners, garnishes, or other packaged/premade items), how do you confirm that they are gluten-free?  

We use multiple ingredient items that are either labeled or certified gluten-free or we have verified gluten-free status with the manufacturer if packaging is not labeled.