A few readers have asked about where I buy food in bulk. If you had asked me this two years ago, I could have provided immediate answers. These days, the best response I can give is “I don’t know!”.
One thing I’ve learned is that the places where I’ve purchased in bulk for 20 years may not have the best prices these days. Another thing I’ve learned – for the most part .. there are no good prices! I feel lucky to find things I’m looking for.
If you have an Amish or Mennonite store near you, they can be a great resource. The store near us will order wheat and other whole grains, though they’re having a hard time getting that kind of stuff now too.
If Azure Standard has a drop near you, check them out. Some of their prices on flours and grains are good, some are not.
Honeyville is where I find the best prices these days on the things I need but their prices aren’t the best on all things.
Feel free to add links to other places if you know of them.
Remember that whole grains last longer than cut grains. Wheat, rye, spelt whole berries last much longer than flour. Oat groats last much longer than already flaked or rolled oatmeal.
Buying in bulk isn’t for everyone so if you aren’t interested in doing that, just file this away in case you ever think differently about it.
Carol says
We are going to be near Beaver Lake, Arkansas next week and I’m looking for Amish stores in NW Arkansas and SW Missouri. Will be taking day trips/drives and hope to find a bulk store. Would you let me know where you have found any please?
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Circle E is east of Carthage on 96 and that’s where I do most of my bulk buying. I’m not sure they’re open on Monday so you may check before heading up there on a Monday.
Carol says
Thanks, will check it out
Edna Gerrans says
Here in New Hampshire I go to restaurant suppliers. I can buy flour in bulk and was able to buy frozen cranberries, 20 pounds for 24.00. I repackaged them and put in my chest freezer. Dry beans were cheaper at Target last year, but have gone up 50%. I also buy frozen blueberries, wild Maine ones in 20 or 30 pound boxes at about 2.00 per pound, or about what it would cost me to pick-my-own in the field. I can buy one pound bags of vacuum sealed yeast and large quantities of herbs and spices, but not necessarily cheap prices. Big Lots sometimes has spices and snacks. Here in New England we have a chain called Ocean State Job Lots that carries Bob’s Red Mill products and Mediterranean style olives and tapenades and snacks ( I’m talking pretzels with sesame seeds and exotic chips) if you like that sort of thing.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Nice! We don’t have a restaurant supply place here that’s open to the public but I’d love to be able to shop at a place like that. The Ocean State Job Lots sounds like a fun place to shop too!
Nelle Coursey says
I think I told you we were having trouble finding any saltine crackers. None of the grocery stores here have them and neither do the dollar stores. You would not believe where I found them!! Sliger’s!! They were $5 per box and I got 2! That should last us a while and they will not go bad before we can eat them. We like soup a lot! Don’t ask me where they got them, because I don’t know. And if they can get them, why can’t the stores get them?? Sometimes I think this shortage thing is just to get us to spend more when they do come back!! But next time, I will try there first!!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I agree that there’s no rhyme or reason for the shortages here and not there and vice versa but I also think part of this has been somehow planned (and that’s not really the right word) because there are real shortages coming so we’ve been somewhat conditioned for it. There are saltines everywhere here and every time I see them, I think of you. 98 cents here for Great Value crackers. $2.98 for Nabisco. 75 cents at Aldi. Ours come from Aldi.