PORTLAND, Ore.–Buying food in bulk is slated to be one of the biggest money-saving trends of 2010, according to the Bulk is Green Council (BIG). Dedicated to helping consumers, food manufacturers and grocers learn about the environmental and economic benefits of bulk foods, the BIG recently reported 2009 bulk food sales increased an estimated 15 percent over the previous year, with more than 1,000 retailers adding bulk food offerings nationwide.
“People are paying closer attention to the food they purchase,” said Mark Devencenzi, a founding member of the BIG from SunRidge Farms. “They’re shopping smarter and turning to bulk food for budget and eco-friendly alternatives that don’t lack in quality.”
“Bulk foods are ideal for use in home cooking, offering everything from rice to spices at a cost savings of anywhere from 30 to 96 percent over packaged products,” said BIG member Clair Sidman from the Hain Celestial Group. “And, with more than 6,000 retail outlets in America offering bulk foods, these goods are widely accessible.”
“Bulk shopping makes it easy for consumers to go green in an affordable fashion,” said council member Clint Landis of Frontier Natural Products Co-Op. “It’s smart, sustainable shopping that uses minimal packaging and allows the customer to reduce waste by purchasing as little or as much as they need.”
Founded in 2008, the Bulk is Green Council is made up of bulk food leaders including the Hain Celestial Group, SunRidge Farms, Frontier Natural Products Co-Op, Trade Fixtures and Lundberg Family Farms.