Bulk bins in regular grocery stores?

**QuilterMom** · 02-10-2005, 05:59 PM

This has been on my mind a lot lately (I'll blame it on hmsclmom because I keep thinking about a comment she made in a thread about buying soy flour from the bulk bins at the grocery store).

Who here can buy from bulk bins at regular grocery stores (not health food stores)?

What kinds of items are available to you?

What are the grocery stores that offer this?

None of the stores here, except the health food store, have bulk bins and I have never had this option in the 2 other states I've lived in.

Just curious................

**SewCrafty** · 02-10-2005, 06:13 PM

Only 2 stores I go to have bulk bins, Tops and Price Chopper

They don't have flours etc.. the last time I looked but they do have oatmeal, chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, tons of candies and other things I can't remember right now. lol I'll pay more attention the next time I go.

**homesteadmamma** · 02-10-2005, 06:14 PM

Both Safeway and Superstore have bulk bins here. I refuse to buy from them though because I've seen people just put their hands in and take stuff out, put stuff in their mouths (candy or nuts) and then their hands right back into the bins. The health food store I shop at is closely monitored. I've also seen kids do the exact same thing and even put things from their mouth they didn't like right back in the bin!!!!!

We have everything in the bins from flour, sugar, pasta, candies, chocolate, snack foods, nuts, dried beans, etc.

Both Safeway and Superstore are large stores in our province.

**Mom23boys** · 02-10-2005, 06:17 PM

The only thing I have ever seen in bulk bins around here are dried beans and nuts and these are at the grocery store.

**mommy2many** · 02-10-2005, 06:46 PM

Well I worked in a retail grocery store enviroment for over 15 years....and you'd never catch me going anywhere near those bins!!!

**guest2** · 02-10-2005, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by QuilterMom
This has been on my mind a lot lately (I'll blame it on hmsclmom because I keep thinking about a comment she made in a thread about buying soy flour from the bulk bins at the grocery store).

Oh sure Kim, blame it on me!!!!!

Our Winco has a bulk food section where I can get spices, flours, mixes, pasta, cereals, beans grains, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, tea, crackers, dog food and treats, dried fruits, candy and assorted other things. I have never seen strange things in the bins or people not using the scoops or tongs that are attached to the bins. There is a guy there refilling and monitoring them most of the time since the turnover is really high on the bulk things.

**pita1213** · 02-10-2005, 07:59 PM

just candy here. seasonally they will have nuts like walnuts and almonds. i haven't been to the health food stores in a while so i'm not sure what they have.

**Mamawolf** · 02-10-2005, 08:57 PM

Meijer has bulk bins. They sell everything from candy, nuts, oatmeal, to dog and at food, bird food, and pet treats. I get my dog's beef basted treats and pistachios from bulk bins.

**halo475** · 02-10-2005, 10:37 PM

Not available here. A while ago one store about 35 mi from me had them, but they had too many problems with health issues, and removed them permanently

**AmyMCGS** · 02-10-2005, 11:05 PM

Originally posted by Mamawolf
Meijer has bulk bins. They sell everything from candy, nuts, oatmeal, to dog and at food, bird food, and pet treats. I get my dog's beef basted treats and pistachios from bulk bins.

It must be a regional thing-- my Meijer only has candy and pet foods in the bulk bins.   The candy is individually wrapped for the most part.

Kroger has the bulk bins for candy, too, but that's all I've seen there.

 

**Nikmom** · 02-10-2005, 11:07 PM

I like Winco also. Especially the spices. I get spices for pennies, that cost 5-6 dollars in the regular aisles. Once I got bay leaves, and they had to ring in 15 cents because the bay leaves wouldn't even register on the scales.
I also like the blueberry muffin mix, yeast, pasta, parmesan, cheddar cheese sauce mix, candy, baking stuff, ---I could go on forever. I feel like I save a lot.

**mom2matty** · 02-10-2005, 11:10 PM

We only have Henry's here (health food store) that has bulk bins. I have been in a Winco Foods in No. California that had bulk bins but we don't have one here in So. Cal.......although we heard they are supposed to be building one here in the next year or so!!

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 02-11-2005, 12:44 AM

We have a Winco that has them. Theya re monitored closely. there is always someone there either filling up or cleaning the area.

I buy pancake mix, biscuit mix, flour (if it's cheaper than a loss leader) tea bags, dog treats, pig ears (for the dog), beans, rice, parmesan and romano cheeses, tortellin, rice crackers, oatmeal, rolled wheat, cocoa, sugar free choclate, and lots and lots of spices! I save a bundle!

**mrscornbread** · 02-11-2005, 02:54 AM

I have seen so many kids running their hands through the beans and rice.

Funny this thread should show up now. Last night I was gonna cook some white rice that my brother said that he got at food for less, he poured it in a big popcorn can that did have 25 pounds in it, but we have used it up and need to replace it. When I looked in the tin, I found what looked like mouse droppings...just one, but that is what I think it was. I threw it all away and made something else, he said it was probably a rock, but I think I know what rodent poop looks like. I quit buying from those bins when I say kids playing with the food, but now the idea of rodents in there is way too much. Sorry if I grossed any of you out, but I think that you should think twice before using that stuff even though it is cheap.

**Hollyhandi** · 02-11-2005, 07:51 AM

I have to agree . The bulk bins here are not anything I would use.
I've seen the same thing kids with their hands in there playing with the food.
The wrapped candy maybe,,,,,
We had an Amish store here that had the bulk stuff and I loved to get my spices there, but they were bought out and the new people have the prices so high and the quality is not what it used to be.