My grocery budget threatened to break each month.  I’d buy what I wanted willy-nilly, without a list or plan.  Even with a list I’d buy single items of even of my regular ingredients. 

Then I learned the joy of bulk buying.  Not BJ’s Wholesale or Costo, although we do shop there for things like canned tomatoes, frozen veggies, and salsa. 

Bulk buying from a traditional grocery is a different concept to save cash up front and keep your pantry stocked.  Plus you can decorate the kitchen with Ball Jars full of the beautiful beans and grains. 

There are some foods you eat daily or are in almost every recipe.  When buying one or two at a time I would find myself out of veggie stock just as I started to make dinner.  Learning to buy in bulk helps prevent this and save the last minute grocery trips and a few busy. 

At a traditional grocery ask customer service to speak to the grocery buyer when ordering an entire case of one item.  Occasionally they offer a discount because they are guaranteed to sell it…to you.

If you have a local grocery co-op check the membership benefits. In addition to our regular membership benefits we also receive 10% off bulk pre-orders of anything…not just items carried in store.

Our co-op uses the UNFI order book with every item available.  And when I say everything…I mean everything.  Just seeing some names makes me want to things…if only I wouldn’t be stuck with 12 boxes of something I may not like. 

In the UNFI book to look up products by manufacturer and then product name.  For example: Crofters – Strawberry Just Fruit Spread.  The price per case and how many item are in a case is listed next to the item.  The price is often at least $5 less when ordered in bulk…not including the co-op discount.

My only rule is be sure to have the space in the pantry for dried goods or freezer space for anything perishable. 

*Hint: Daiya Cheese and Earth Balance can be frozen. 
Order in bulk and save a few trips to the store.*

Bulk bins are everywhere and perfect for saving money by avoiding packaging and buying only the quantity you want.  Eco friendly and convenient…bring your own containers – ball jars and cloth bags.  Customer service should weigh it in advance so you only pay for the goods and not the container.

Bulk bins also allow you to try products or purchase small amounts of those you use infrequently.  I fill my 1/2 gallon ball jar of nutritional yeast each trip but buy only enough tahini for a few batches of hummus. 

In the internet age some great deals in bulk are found online.  Retailers like iHerb & Amazon… offer fantastic prices on things you would like to use more often but may not be available in your area.  Just be sure to double check that the price including shipping is worth it. 

Adding bulk buying tips to typical grocery tips like reading unit prices, shopping sales and eating less meat help keep our grocery cost down while still enjoy good food.

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