Hofstedes Country Barn

The little café attached to this grocery is understated, but definitely worth a stop for a sandwich and dessert. My wife and I have noticed that Chilliwack boasts very few cute bistro-​like lunch spots. I would not say that the atmosphere is outstanding, but friendly service and tasty food still wins five stars. So plan on a longer visit next time you grab your fresh fruit and veggies!

Hofstede’s is absolutely my favorite place to get produce. They provide local produce, it is fresh and lasts much longer than the box-​super-​markets.
What I like is that I can sit down, have a coffee and something to eat and review my list before shopping. I can buy the hard to finds like: chilli oil, rice bran oil, truffle oil, all the herbs and spices you could want, vinegars with mothers, rices and legumes, gluten free flours, dutch products, Harvest Sausage from Saskatchewan with no fillers, and lots of other local meats and deli products.
It has everything you want for your inner gourmet cook and during canning season you can purchase the volume of produce you want for your preserve projects.
The prices are reasonable. The staff is excellent and the owner actually can be seen in the store and café talking with customers and doing special sourcing.
Hofstede’s is just an excellent experience.
Keep up the good work!

I really think this place is a great find, thanks again Unilocal!Sausages, cheeses, gluten free (lots), European items, fresh produce some organic, local in season produce. Fresh muffins, scones, etc. coffee shop serving sandwhiches/​soup but also toast/​croissants/​muffins. Competitive pricing, pleasant staff and intersting place to browse. Worth a stop on the way through Chilliwack, it’s just a minute off the highway.

It’s not just that it’s family owned and operated, or that it feels like you are actually part of the community of Chilliwack when you shop there (in oppose to the anonymous-​could-​be-​anywhere feeling at larger grocery stores) that makes me love Hofstedes. It’s also their gorgeous, fresh, often local produce, selection of (healthy) foods, nice little deli (sit down for lunch sometimes, it’s really good!) They’re also firm community supporters — I see their name attached all kinds of charitable work around town as well. I truly love getting my groceries at Hofstedes!

Last week, I decided to take a road trip to Chilliwack on a hunt for gluten free. It’s obvious to me that Vancouver would have the most gluten free options, but I wondered what I could find in a smaller community like Chilliwack.
On reaching Chilliwack, I decided to visit Hofstedes Country Barn (
). Having skipped breakfast I was starving by the time I reached Hofstedes and so I decided to check out their little side café, which was bustling with shoppers trying to grab a bite. I had read somewhere that some of their soups are gluten free. I asked the lady at the cashier and she told me the only soup which was gluten free was Split Pea. The other soup was French Onion and she said there might be a chance of some cross contamination with that. I decided to take my chances and ordered the French Onion Soup without croutons and with just the cheese (Most of the time, places can not claim something is gluten free just because its made in a gluten environment, even if it actually contains no gluten, so I decided to take a chance). I also saw a sign saying they make any of their sandwiches on their home-​baked gluten free bread, so I decided to try a sandwich as well (I ordered turkey and cheese). For a cup of soup and sandwich, I payed around $ 10 for my meal.
Well maybe I was famished but the food was delicious! The sandwich was piled high with lettuce and thick slices of tomatoes and sliced turkey. The bread was untoasted and had a nice crumb. The only downside to the bread was that it kept crumbling or breaking as I ate my way through the sandwich, but I felt it was well worth the effort. Even now, my mouth is craving that delicious sandwich. The french onion soup was delicious too… home made, ooey gooey cheese… it was lovely and I never did feel sick afterwards :) The best part… it was down to earth, honest, delicious homemade food! It was no wonder their café was jam-​packed.
After my delicious lunch, I decided to check out the rest of the store. Hofstedes has a fairly good selection of gluten free products albeit at slightly elevated prices than can be found elsewhere in the Lower Mainland. I found the usual brands Tinkyada, Nature’s Path, Glutino here. They also had a great selection of farm produce. Not extensive variety but a good starting point nevertheless.

Great place for a lunch outing of fresh soup, sandwich and coffee, then browse the market for European (mainly dutch) imported and local groceries and fruits and veggies. The owner is often present running around and talking to customers and seems very passionate about the business. I try to stop in every time I am in Chilliwack.

Hofstedes is a wonderful Chilliwack Jem.
This locally owned store carries many local fruits and vegetables, specializing in seasonal products. Many of the products in the store are made or grown within 100 miles. The store also has a large deli full of ready to eat soups sandwiches, salads coffees and deserts.
Fresh deli meat, cheeses and sausages, a fresh bakery and a wonderful pantry section round out products available.
Many gluten-​free and specialty products can be found at Hofstedes.
Local cheeses meats, dairy products and eggs are available.
And one of my personal favorites of the store, their fresh (and many local) nut section. All in the shell and VERY flavourful.
While doing my grocery shopping every week, Hofstedes continues to be my first stop.