A new section devoted entirely to special dietary needs, an expanded bulk foods section — including a “create-your-own” trail mix bar — and a “Great Buys” aisle are among enticing new features at the Whole Foods Market Redmond.

Local demand for foods that are vegan, gluten-free, peanut-free or dairy-free is huge, said Liz Cruz, the new marketing and community relations specialist at Whole Foods Market Redmond. And as luck would have it, the Redmond store is larger than many of Whole Foods’ other locations, which makes it possible to display such products in one spacious and attractive segment of the store, just to the left of the north entrance.

“People can cut down their shopping time by having everything in one place,” said Cruz. “The community response has just bowled me over. Lots of children have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. People just well up when they see this. For many parents, it’s been a difficult experience, to transition to a gluten-free diet. We have the products and the knowledge to give them support.”

And the variety of such products has come a long way, including kid-friendly, gluten-free pasta in the shape of animals or dairy-free chocolate chips. It’s hard to be a child who can’t eat the same foods as their peers, Cruz pointed out.

Adjacent to the special diet section are bulletin boards and a counter top displaying free brochures and notices about food allergies or intolerances. Cruz said community members are invited to post information about classes or support groups related to these topics.

Also nearby, the expanded bulk foods section at Whole Foods Market Redmond has been very busy during the holiday cooking and baking season, said Cruz.

“People come in needing just a small quantity of something unusual — such as currants,” she noted.

And the wide selection of healthy grains and legumes, such as quinoa and lentils, allows people to prepare and taste-test a single serving before deciding whether it’s something they want to eat on a regular basis. Free recipes cards can be found throughout the store and team members — or Cruz herself — can offer advice on how to prepare unfamiliar foods.

In addition to prepackaged trail mixes at Whole Foods, the Redmond store’s new “mix-it-yourself” station allows consumers to load up on whatever ingredients they love and to eliminate those that would be left untouched at the bottom of the bag.

As for the “Great Buys” aisle, it’s a collection of Whole Foods’ own 365 (“everyday values”) brand of pantry staples such as pasta, canned tomatoes or chicken broth, “with wonderful quality at a great price point,” said Cruz.

To further help budget-conscious shoppers, Whole Foods Market Redmond offers free “Dinner on a Dime” cooking demonstrations and weeknight “Whole Value Meals” that will feed a family of four for $15.99.

On Monday, it’s family-sized lasagna with Caesar salad and garlic bread; Tuesday, a whole rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh vegetable of the day. Wednesday’s deal is a little different — Whole Foods’ Hot Bar and Salad Bar costs $2 less per pound that night. Thursday, it’s back to the $15.99 dinner special, a large, hand-tossed pizza with up to three toppings, a Caesar salad and a six-pack of 365 soda. Friday, $15.99 buys eight pieces of crispy fried chicken with macaroni and cheese and mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

The Whole Value Meals specials are available only at Seattle’s Westlake Avenue store and the Redmond store at 17991 NE Redmond Way.

For more information about the Redmond store, call (425) 881-2600 or visit http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/redmond/.