It's no secret that we here at The Kitchn love buying from the bulk section of the market. Whether we are looking for a small amount of spices or large amounts of grains, shopping in the bulk section saves money, minimizes waste, and inspires us to try out new pantry ingredients. In celebration of Bulk Foods Week (October 16-22), here are 13 tips, tricks and tutorials for buying and storing foods in bulk.
SHOPPING FOR BULK FOODS
• How To Buy and Store Bulk Foods
• Conscientious Cook: Which Foods to Buy in Bulk
• Good Reminder: Buy Spices from Bulk Bins
• Online Food Co-ops: Collective Shopping Made Convenient
• Shopping Tip: Mark the Tare Weight On Your Containers
• Origami Cloth Food Sacks
• No More Plastic Bags: Kootsac Food Storage Sacks
STORING & ORGANIZING BULK FOODS
• Storing and Organizing Bulk Foods in a Small Kitchen?
• Pantry Organization: Put Your Grains In Jars
• Scooping in Style! Bulk Bin Scoops at Home
• Best Spice Storage Solution: Mason Jars
• Thrifty Kitchen: 6 Ways to Reuse Oatmeal Tins!
• Quick Tip: Five Ways to Re-Use Yogurt Containers
• More about Bulk Foods Week at the Bulk Is Green Council
Do you have any tips for shopping for or organizing foods in bulk? What do you like to buy in the bulk section?
Related: America's First Packaging-Free Grocery Store
(Image: Faith Durand)
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There is a Bulk Foods Week??
If you buy grain or flour - store it in glass! I got a small infestation of indian meal moths this summer because I kept my bulk stuff in their original plastic bags on on open shelf. NOT FUN. Mason jars and wire bale jars are your friends.
@vintagejenta-- storing in glass is great... unless the bugs come in with the bulk goods! We had a huge problem this summer with meal moths but most of the moths (and webbing and larva) were *inside* my mason jars. I've heard you can freeze bulk grains for 48 hours to kill the eggs so I try to do that now.
I concur - store all your pantry goods in hard plastic or glass containers. Keeps new bugs out, and keeps any unfortunate pre-existing bugs quarantined.
That said, bulk food is the best thing ever. Rainbow Grocery 4Evr.
Here is how I store my bulk items:
http://talesofaretromodernhousewife.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-martha-fail.html
I have a trick for bugs. Take a bag of bouquet garni. Fill it up with some cloves, Whole red dried chilly pepper, and some whole Turmeric root. Store the bag inside your beans, rice etc. Age old Indian secret.
www.bluefroginthetub.blogspot.com