Shopping at The Source Bulk Foods is a game-changer if you are looking to reduce waste, buy high-quality ingredients, and support a business cares about sustainability. This store has helped us immensely on our journey to cut down on food waste and avoid plastic packaging.
But if you’ve never shopped at a bulk food store before, it can feel a little overwhelming. Where do you start? What should you bring? And how do you avoid overfilling your jar with $20 worth of cinnamon?
Now, if you’re the kind of person that likes to read about something on the internet before doing it in real life (ahem, like me)…here’s a guide for you:
Step 1: Look Online and Plan Your Shopping List
Before heading to the store, check The Source Bulk Foods website or your local store’s social media to see what’s available. Making a shopping list helps prevent over-buying and ensures you only get what you need. It also gives you time to think about storage space at home and the containers you need. If you’re new to bulk shopping, start with staple items you use regularly such as flour for baking, rice for dinners, etc.
Our experience: We used to walk into the store without a plan and leave with random ingredients we didn’t need (hello, mystery lentils sitting in my pantry). Now, we write a list based on what we actually use.
Tip: Plan meals for the week before shopping so you can buy the right amounts of ingredients.
Step 2: Gather Your Containers (or Buy Some)
The Source Bulk Foods encourages customers to bring their own reusable containers, jars, or cloth bags. This helps cut down on packaging waste, and you get exactly the amount you need. If you forget your containers, no stress! They have paper bags available, or you can purchase reusable jars and bottles in-store.
Our experience: We like to bring a mix of glass jars and old containers for spices, flour, and grains. It’s definitely not pretty packaging. We use everything from takeaway containers to protein powder jars. But it’s saving these containers from landfill and it gets the job done!
Tip: If you don’t have jars or containers, your local op shop will have plenty! They are usually around 50c each which is an absolute bargain if you ask me.
Step 3: Ask the Attendant to Weigh Your Containers
Before filling up, take your empty containers to the counter so the staff can weigh them. They’ll mark the weight (also called the tare weight) so it can be subtracted when you check out. This ensures you’re only paying for the product inside, not the container itself.
Tip: If you shop regularly, consider writing the tare weight on your containers with a permanent marker or label to save time.
Step 4: Fill Your Containers with the Right Amount
Once you know what you need, it’s time to fill up! Each item has a scoop or dispenser, just pour or scoop your desired amount into your container. Some stores even have nut butter machines where you can grind fresh peanut or almond butter on the spot.
Our experience: The first time we bought sumac, we overestimated how much we actually needed and ended up with a lifetime supply. Now, we err on the side of caution with spices and measure carefully. If you’re unsure how much to buy, the staff are super friendly and can help you estimate quantities.
Tip: You will need to label your containers/bags with the products’ code (found on the jar). Use the store’s labels or bring a marker to write down product codes for checkout. We use a whiteboard marker so it’s easy to write and then rub off later.
Step 5: Weigh and Pay
Once your containers are filled, head to the checkout, where the staff will weigh each item and subtract the weight of your container. They’ll print out a receipt with all the prices, making it easy to see how much each item costs.
Our experience: We love that we can track our spending easily. Unlike supermarkets where bulk buys often mean big bags and big bills, now we only pay for what we need.
Tip: If you’re shopping on a budget, let the staff know. They are super friendly and will be able to guide you on how to keep a rough mental tally as you go.
Step 6: Store Your Goods Properly at Home
Once home, transfer anything in paper bags into airtight containers to keep them fresh. Label your jars so you don’t mistake baking powder for bicarb soda.
Our experience: We freeze our flours as soon as we get home to kill any weevil eggs that may be present (better to be safe than sorry).
Tip: Try making some upcycled labels for your pantry items so they are easily identifiable.
Why Shop at The Source Bulk Foods?
- Less waste as consumers are not buying plastic packaging.
- Fresh, high-quality ingredients that are usually organic or locally sourced.
- You can buy exact quantities and take only what you need.
- Supports an Australian business committed to sustainability.
Shopping at The Source Bulk Foods is a simple yet powerful way to cut down on waste and buy high-quality ingredients. It might take a little getting used to, but once you start, you’ll wonder why you ever bought packaged goods in the first place. Plus, the thrill of refilling your spice jars and discovering new ingredients is surprisingly satisfying.
TL;DR: Plan your shopping list, bring your own containers, ask the staff to weigh them before filling, buy only what you need, and enjoy fresh, package-free food. Shopping at The Source Bulk Foods is an easy way to reduce waste and stock up on top-quality pantry staples.
Have you shopped at The Source Bulk Foods before? Share your experiences in the comments!
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