Reusable Bags for Bulk Food Items
June 13, 2008 by Jennifer
Reusable bags for bulk food items can be tricky, but there are absolutely options besides using the little plastic bags offered at the store.
First things first though; why even mention bulk foods?:
This month we’re talking about reusable bags for grocery and other type store trips. You can save resources by going with reusable bags, but your main bags are only part of the issue. Tons of other food items come in bags, jars, plastic bottles, boxes, and other packaging, some of it not real easy to recycle. Buying from bulk food bins can save you money and save resources by eliminating packaging.
If bulk foods freak you out; get over it. Bulk foods are just the same as prepackaged foods, just not packaged. In fact, many organic options are available in bulk for far less than packaged organics, so bulk can also be less expensive and healthier because organic is void of icky stuff.
Some foods we buy in packaging that can be easily found in the bulk food bins include…
- Raisins
- Popcorn
- All types of flour
- Dried spices and herbs
- Baking extras like baking soda and cream of tarter
- Dry cereal
- Crackers
- Candy
- Chocolate chips
- Dried fruit
- Soup mixes
- Sauce and dip mixes
- Dried garlic
- Pancake mix
- Cake mixes
- Hot cocoa mix
- Granola
- Fruit snacks
- Dry pasta
- Dry milk
- Beans
- Rice
- Nuts
And much more. Many stores also have non-dry food items in bulk like peanut butter and honey. Most natural food stores and co-ops also have non-food items like hand soap, shampoo, and bubble bath in bulk (A good deal, but today we’re talking food, so that was just a heads up).
If you went into your kitchen right now, and added up all the foods you’ve recently bought packaged, that you could have bought in bulk, well, that’s a load of packaging. It makes sense to buy in bulk. Not all stores carry bulk. You’ll have better luck finding a decent bulk section at a co-op, natural food store, warehouse-type grocer, or a mainstream grocery store with a natural food section.
Next up: I’ll post about bulk food storage options – besides the little plastic bags offered at the store, and also what to do about the baggie twist ties – (they’re not recyclable).
If you’re brand new to bulk food items also read: Bulk Food Storage: Flour and Other Dry Basics
[Image via stock.xchng]
coffee and tea are other items..I am loving this series you are doing.
I was going to send you an email asking if you had any suggestions about this, you read my mind. Thanks!!!
As far as I know, there is only one store that offers bulk items. It is about 20 miles from home, so I don’t shop there. I wish it was closer though as the store is fabulous.. just too far to use for *normal* grocery shopping.
Marye – hey, thanks. Yup coffee is a big one, and I forgot about loose tea.
Kisha, Good, glad I can read minds (sometimes).
Jodi, that bites. Right now I live near stores with bulk, but I don’t live near any natural food stores or a co-op. Which kills me. In Humboldt and NM I lived near plenty of natural food stores, now I have to make one special trip a month, and try to make do with basic stores. Luckily two stores near me carry a somewhat ok organic selection.