10 Tips for Buying Food in Bulk
By Sara Gauchat
Shopping strategies for getting the most out of your warehouse grocery store.
1. Shop Smarter to Save Money
To some, the idea of bulk-food buying conjures up the ultimate bang-for-your buck thrill ("Yay, a 10-pound jar of pickles!"). To others, it inspires scary visions of culinary excess ("What am I supposed to do with a 10-pound jar of pickles?"). The truth is that warehouse stores have come into their own as destinations for everyone from huge families to discerning foodies. The secret is out -- there is stellar food to be bought in bulk. You just have to be smart about your bulk buying, and with a little help from these shopping tips, you can make sure you're making the warehouse stores work for you.
2. Plan Your List Wisely
Venturing into a warehouse store without a list in hand can be both daunting and dangerous. So, before your wheels ever hit the parking lot, take the time to write up your shopping list. Take inventory in your cupboards, fridge and freezer first, then plan out your meals for the week and create your list, advises Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru. If it's easier, you may even want to choose one main bulk buy per week (like salmon or chicken) and build your menus around that. (And if you don't have time to actually sit down and write out a list, be sure to at least have the recipes for your week's meals on hand when you walk through those doors.)
3. Have a Strategic Plan of Attack
Thinking strategically when bulk shopping can help keep you from being overwhelmed (or driving home with your rear bumper loaded down to the ground). Start with the calendar. Try not to hit up the warehouse stores around the 1st or 15th of the month, since that's when most people get paid -- you can expect some serious aisle-navigation challenges and epic checkout waits. Then, think safety in numbers. "Buddy shop with a friend or neighbor and buy multipacks that you can divide up -- versus just larger-size packages," recommends Lempert. "And never use one of their flatbed carts -- even 100 rolls of toilet paper look small on that." When you're in possession of a normal-size cart, get your heavier items first to make your stacking a lot more stable. Start by putting the massive flat of soda on the bottom, and work your way up to the bread and lettuce on the top.
Click here for 7 more tips for buying food in bulk
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