Bulk Saves

By Reeva Ripley, Bulk Buyer, Storekeeper Team Leader

Consumers can make a measurable difference when it comes to the environment by making the choice to buy bulk foods. It can also be a great way to go easy on your budget! Did you know that consumers save an average of 45% on confections, 62% on nuts, and 72% on dried fruit when they buy bulk? According to the Portland State University Food Industry Leadership Center, bulk foods cost 89% less overall than their pre-packaged counterparts.

Here are a few more interesting findings from their study (which is the first of its kind in the US!):

• If everyone purchased their coffee in bulk for 1 month, it would save over 240,000,000 pounds of foil packaging from landfills.
• Buying almonds in bulk for 1 month stops 72,000,000 pounds of waste from landfills.
• Oatmeal bought in bulk saves 5 times the waste of its packaged equivalent.

When purchasing from the bulk department you only buy the amount you need, so you’re not purchasing a large pre-packaged amount, which may go to waste. Of course, if you want to purchase a large amount, you can do that too! (Check out this article on special ordering.) Bulk bins and jars also make it easy to check the quality and freshness of the product, because it’s not in a box or bag you can’t see through.

Whether you are a longtime customer or have never been to GreenTree, come give our bulk department a try! You’re bound to find what you’re looking for or maybe even something new to enjoy.