Comments on: rethinking: buying in bulk

By: Trish

Trish — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:43:40 +0000

A really excellent source with *great* prices is
bulkfoods.com. I’ve ordered grains, beans and spices from them and the quality is excellent.

By: violarulz

violarulz — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:44:31 +0000

we buy most of our food in bulk. spices are hard though because they loose their zing after 6 months to a year, so unless you put a heaping table spoon of cinnamon on your oats in the morning, it doesn’t make much sense.

With everything, my best hint is to use the very last bit in your containers and then wash them in the hotest water you can stand and dry well before refilling. We’ve had problems (especially with bread flour for some reason) going rancid from the old at the bottom of the container contaminating the new we just refilled with.

By: Cathleya

Cathleya — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:02:22 +0000

We buy most all staples in bulk — Since we live in Berkeley, we are lucky to be able to buy everything under the sun right out of bins, and it’s all fresh because everyone else is doing the same thing (hippies are good for something, you know). I remember buying treats out of the bulk bins from Raleys when I was young — yogurt covered pretzels, banana chips, dehydrated apples — often it wasn’t that fresh. But if you can find a store locally that caters to a “bin” crowd, then there’s no doubt that you’ll find HUGE savings! Janet offered great advice… Oh, spices! They are SO EXPENSIVE prepackaged! Rice, pasta, beans, irish oats… we buy all of those in bulk. But, I wouldnt worry about all that packaging you throw out… after all, if you buy from bins, you still need a plastic bag to carry it home, right?

Yay for bulk buying!

By: Micelle

Micelle — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:51:47 +0000

I LOVE Winco for their bulk foods. We buy spices, pasta, even flour and sugar. I love it because you can buy a little or a lot- and since spices way next to nothing..enough to get you a full jar may only cost you .25 cents. I can buy just 2 cups of cake flour if I need it, and not a whole box. It is totally out of the way for us too, but we try to make a trip there at least once/month to stock up at least on the bulk items..heck even the groceries…they are so much cheaper there. To me it worth the drive out of the way every once in a while.

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:38:37 +0000

Thanks for the shoutout, Kim!

Buying spices in bulk is especially awesome – totally cheaper, saves on packaging (of course), and you can get as much as you’d like if you only want a little to try, or don’t think you’ll use up a whole jar. I’m a geek but I had a lot of fun weighing and taring and filling my containers!

Next time you’re in SF we should totally go to Rainbow and stock you up! They have everything – even laundry detergent, shampoo and lotion, on top of all the dried goods and oils and nut butters!