Bulk Sale + 5 Can’t-Miss Items from the Bulk Section
The Bulk Sale is quickly approaching, and you won’t want to miss it! March 11-12, we’re offering 30% OFF Bulk items (excluding herbs & spices) for owners!
Maybe you’re an owner, but have barely dabbled in the bulk department. Or, maybe you are thinking about joining the co-op, and are curious about shopping in bulk. Is it cheaper? How do I store everything? Is it complicated and messy? How does any of this work?
We’re here to help! Our bulk section at PFC is stocked with a wide range of products, from dry goods (grains, flours, flour alternatives, beans, nuts, rice) to syrups, nut butters, soaps, oils, and more. Don’t be scared by the word “bulk”-- it doesn’t mean that you are buying large quantities, like at a big box store.
Buying bulk goods is great for many reasons. Here are just a few:
Cost Savings: Buying from the bulk bins can be substantially cheaper than buying pre-packaged goods.
Flexibility: Buying bulk means that you can buy as much or as little of an ingredient as you wish. This can be especially beneficial if you are trying something new, and not sure if you want a whole package of it– just buy what you need for the recipe, without worrying about having a lot left over. Or, if you are trying to conserve space in the pantry or spice drawer, buy the amount that you want, making storage customizable to your exact needs.
Reduces Food Waste: When you buy bulk, you can buy the exact quantity of a product that you need, instead of a predetermined size that you may not ever use. That means fewer partial-containers slowly expiring in the back of your pantry. You can also know that your goods are fresher. Buying small quantities more often that are used up completely means less getting thrown out.
Environmentally Friendly: At the co-op, we encourage you to bring your own reusable containers and bags in, which means no unnecessary plastic packing and waste! We also have containers and bags available, if you forgot yours, that you can use again and again in the future.
Is it complicated?
No! Buying bulk goods is a simple process.
Weigh your container while it is empty, and write the weight on the label. This is called the “tare” weight.
Fill with as much–or as little–product as you want. Write the PLU# on the same label as the tare weight. Use the scoops and funnels provided to make it simple and mess-free.
Once your shopping is finished, take everything to register to ring up. Marvel at your savings, and enjoy your products!
Whether you’re a bulk section pro or curious about checking it out during the upcoming sale, we’ve got some great suggestions for you to try!
1. Granola
This is the best snack hack! Pick up some granola from the bulk section to instantly give your yogurt a boost, or add granola to top your fruit crisp. Use granola as a base to create your own trail mix. Mix any of your preferred add-ins to the granola: chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, etc. The options are endless!
2. Popcorn
Stove-top popcorn is such a special treat and so easy to make. Keep some kernels on hand when you need an easy snack. Heat 3 tbsps of oil on medium high heat in a stock pot or large sauce pot. Add ½ cup of kernels and cover. Shake the pot every 15-20 seconds to keep popcorn from burning. Add in flavorings, seasonings, or some Hope Creamery melted butter. Bonus: People’s Food Co-o Rochester carries kernels from local Whole Grain Milling Company in Welcome, MN.
3. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are a great way to get antioxidants and heart-healthy unsaturated fats into your diet. In addition to the health benefits, nuts and seeds add flavor, texture, and crunch to granola, smoothies, muffins, salads, and more! People’s Food Co-op has a great selection of nuts in bulk such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and more. Flax, chia, and sunflower seeds are popular choices, too.
Looking for a new way to use bulk nuts and seeds? Try a smoothie bowl! This fun food trend puts your morning smoothie into a bowl and allows you to add an array of toppings to customize it to your taste.
Smoothie Bowl
1 frozen banana
1 heaping cup of frozen berries
2-3 tbsps of your milk of choice
Optional: a scoop of protein powder
Toppings
Chia seeds
Hemp hearts
Flax seeds
Granola
Coconut chips
etc.
Instructions
Blend the frozen banana and frozen berries on low until it resembles a crumble. Then slowly add in the milk and blend on low until smooth. Pour smoothie into a bowl and top with any variety of toppings!
4. Farro
Farro is a protein and fiber packed whole grain with ancient roots. This grain is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals making it a great pantry staple. Farro has a nutty, chewy texture making it a great addition to soups, stews, salads, and sautés. You can use farro as a substitute for rice as the cooking times are nearly the same.
Farro and Roasted Veggie Bowl
Ingredients
1 zucchini
1 head of broccoli
1/2 yellow onion
1 clove garlic
1 lemon
¾ cup farro
3.5 cups water, chicken or vegetable stock
¼ cup parmesan cheese or other hard grated cheese
1 tbsp of butter
½ ounce chopped nuts of your choice
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Combine farro, stock or water, and bring to a boil. Cook until farro is tender, 25-30 minutes total. Once farro is cooked, drain any excess stock or water. If stock evaporates before the farro is done, add a splash of water or stock.
While the farro is cooking, chop all produce. Trim and slice zucchini into rounds. Chop broccoli into florets. Finely dice onion. Mince or grate the garlic. Zest and halve lemon.
Toss zucchini and broccoli with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
While veggies roast, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 30seconds. Once farro is cooked and drained, add it to the pan with the onion and garlic. Stir.
In the lemon zest, juice from half the lemon, half of the Parmesan, and the butter.
Divide farro mixture among bowls. Top with roasted vegetables. Sprinkle with nuts, remaining Parmesan, and lemon zest.
5. Pre-Mixed Soup Blends
There are pre-mixed soup blends to choose from in the bulk section. The best part about these soup blends is that nothing goes to waste. You won’t have to worry about purchasing an ingredient only to use a small portion of it for this recipe. These soup blends also include the instructions right on the label. You can use your creativity, or follow the directions exactly.