When thinking of buying in bulk it’s easy to picture your pantry being stocked with barrels of flour or sugar, burlap sacks of rice or even a one gallon tub of mayonnaise like you would find in a price club type of store. Shopping at a co-op, however, is more unique in that you can buy the exact amount of something that you need versus being forced to buy in larger quantities. One of the principles that co-ops are founded on is combining owner resources to buy in bulk together to secure the best foods at the best price. Tidal Creek has come a long way from being a buying club in a tiny house to the storefront that you enjoy today, but that same buying power and sense of community still exists in our isles. This is especially true in our bulk department where you can trust that you are getting healthy foods, including all of the essentials such a flour and grains, for a price that doesn’t include unnecessary overhead costs. Of course food isn’t the only thing that you can get in custom quantities; bath salts and hand soaps are also available, you can even pick the kind you want and have bars cut right on the spot. All of these can be purchased for less money and far less waste.

Packaging costs money which means that you are paying for a producers logo design, boxes, bags, or jars, just as much as you are the actual product; it’s as though you’re tossing money out with the recycling or trash as soon as you get home. Even recyclable packaging takes energy to produce and recycle. Buying non-packaged or unprocessed food is great for the environment, especially when you reuse your own containers and bags. There are several owners or customers who bring in the container that they store the food in at home and simply fill it up in the store. This is a convenient way to reduce waste; just be sure to have your container weighed, we can take the tare at any of the registers or you can use the scale at the bulk section; use a sticker to label the containers weight and you’re all set.

See you at the Co-op!