The Beauty of Buying in Bulk
The bulk foods aisle of your local grocery and/or natural food store is often an overlooked area that contains nutritious options for your diet and great prices for your budget. Buying in bulk offers you savings, creative options for your menu, and a way to reduce packaging waste. I’ve been guilty of passing up the bulk foods aisle in the past and spending more money to purchase pre-‐packaged foods. As I’ve started exploring new foods to add into my diet, I decided to revisit this area of the store and have come to appreciate all that it has to offer. The selection will vary from store to store, but I invite you to explore what your local bulk food aisle holds in those bins, and using the tips provided, start to add more of these items into your daily meals. Purchase Airtight Containers: There are many options out there for you to store your bulk foods. Stores such as IKEA have many reasonably priced options, but don’t be afraid to use what you already have at home. Canning jars and other repurposed containers will do just fine. It’s important to wash and dry them thoroughly, and also be sure that the container is airtight to prevent spoilage. Also remember to label your containers using easily removable labels or even masking tape. Some stores will allow you to bring your own containers to fill and others prefer you use the bags and containers provided. Be sure to check with the store about their policies before filling up your own containers. Purchase Only What You Need: One of the biggest benefits of buying bulk is the ability to purchase only the amount you need. I’ll admit that I can sometimes get caught up and buy more spices, teas or nuts that I can use within a reasonable amount of time, especially when I’m in an experimental cooking mood. Do stock up on healthful, everyday staples such as grains and legumes but try to buy less of ingredients such as spices, nuts, dried mushrooms, etc. Purchase small amounts of an ingredient you have been wanting to try, but didn’t want to purchase too much of in case you and your family end up not liking it very much. Sampling items in the bulk food aisle is a great way to try something without committing. Always use the scoop provided for the right bin: Cross-‐ contamination can be an issue for people with food allergies, including gluten intolerance. Depending on your level of sensitivity, you may want to skip the bulk food aisle altogether. Recycle the plastic bags: If you do use the bags provided, remember to save them for your next shopping trip, or even your next visit to the farmers market. OrganicMoxie2012