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Maybe it's because my husband and I are just overgrown children, but we get a kick out of pulling levers at the bulk-bin section of our organic supermarket to fill our cotton sacks with brown rice, granola, oats, flour, and flaxseed. The peanut-butter grinder? Pure heaven.
Nearly 80 million tons of waste is generated from packaging and containers annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or nearly a third of annual municipal solid waste. These fill-er-up stations are the best way to cut back on supermarket packaging, because there's none to speak off, especially if you tote along your own reusable bags and containers. And here's a secret: We've also found that it's cheaper than buying prepackaged.
The National Cooperative Grocers Association, a business service cooperative representing 109 food co-ops nationwide, also wants shoppers to give bulk a chance. Here are some tips it offers to help neophytes better navigate bulk-product buying:1. When in doubt, ask: Don't be afraid to ask your co-op's staff questions about the many foods available or the process of bulk-product purchasing.
2. Be adventurous: Purchase a small portion of a new food, and return for more if you like it. Bulk bins are an excellent way to expand your food repertoire.
3. Get organized: Use bulk buying as a reason to better organize your pantry. Buy labels and organize your cupboards to accommodate the types of food you need.
4. Make special requests: If you need larger quantities (i.e., a 25-pound bag of millet), ask a staff member if they can arrange a special order.
Difficulty level: Easy
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