Back in 1972, when Seward Co-op was spelled “Seward Cooop,” the shelves were mostly lined with bulk pantry staples: containers full of items like dill seeds, white pepper, and turmeric. Today, more than 50 years later, Bulk is just one of many departments at the co-op, but still operates on the same principles: only buy and pay for what you need. This spring, we’re taking a close look at the department that started it all, the advantages to buying in bulk, and how to shop this integral part of the store.

Buying in Bulk: The Benefits

There are many reasons to shop the Bulk department, not only in the Bulk aisles, but also across the store, from items like eggs to celery to mushrooms and more. Ultimately, buying in bulk means you can get exactly what you need, which helps cut down on food waste and makes your shopping more cost-effective. Sometimes it makes sense to buy a 5 lb. pre-packaged sack of flour (if you use it regularly!), but what if it’s a special occasion, and you only need a few cups of rye flour? Shop in bulk! You’ll be reducing food waste—the flour you won’t use—and you’ll only have to pay for exactly how much you need.

Another advantage to only buying what you need is that the Bulk department is a great place to try new things, experiment with new ingredients, and learn more about food. Between the Friendship and the Franklin stores, there are 394 different items in the Bulk departments, more than half of which come from local sources. That’s a lot to try! Interested in a new fairly traded coffee? Curious about using a new grain in your cooking?  Give it a go with a small bag from Bulk. Even if you’d like a sweet treat after lunch, come to Bulk for a few scoops of yogurt pretzels or crystalized ginger. That’s the beauty of buying only what you need.

With the Bulk department being so customizable, it’s only natural that customers can bring in their own clean reusable containers for their items. In the same spirit of food waste reduction, this cuts back on single-use packaging. If you need a container, Seward Co-op also provides complimentary small bags, as well as glass jars and other recyclable containers for purchase, so you can shop Bulk anytime.

The How-To’s of Bulk

Shopping in the Bulk department is easy as 1-2-3.

Step 1: Weigh Your Container

Choose your container, whether it’s a clean one you’ve brought from home or one you’ll purchase from Seward Co-op (small paper and plastic bags from the co-op do not need to be weighed). Weigh your container on one of the scales in the department and mark its weight with one of the provided stickers (e.g. tare 0.2 oz). This is so you won’t be charged for the weight of the container.

Step 2: Fill Your Container

Choose the item you’d like to purchase and fill your container as much as you’d like.

Step 3: Write the PLU

Locate the PLU number on the Bulk container and write it on a sticker on your personal container. This lets the cashier know which item you’re purchasing.

And that’s it! Bulk department staff are always happy to help with questions if you need a refresher.

Bulk Facts

Did You Know You Can Find These Items in Bulk?