For those who pledged to take control of their diet, shop smarter or support the local community, the bulk bins at The County Co-op and Farm Store, located at 53 Main St. in downtown Houlton, is a local resource to help jumpstart a healthier, happier 2016.
In fact, you’ll have an opportunity to sample some dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and spices fresh from the bulk bins at The County Co-Op’s third annual Taste of Winter event on Feb. 5.
The idea of bulk products can be daunting for some, but there are many benefits to buying the items offered in The County Co-op’s various translucent bins, according to Sarah Sternlieb Smith, marketing coordinator for the business.
“A common misconception is that buying in bulk requires the purchase of a large amount of a single item,” Smith said. “In fact, the term ‘bulk’ refers simply to the way a product is offered by a store, not necessarily the amount purchased.
Buying from bulk bins puts control back into the hands of the consumer, she explained. “Buying ingredients from bulk bins is a great way to try new ingredients to see if you like them,” she said. “Looking to test a new recipe that calls for an ingredient not frequently used? No need to commit to buying a large quantity when just a dash of an exotic spice or quarter cup of quinoa will do. Bulk bins let you buy and pay for just the amount you need, resulting in less food waste and less clutter in your cabinets.”
Buying from bulk bins is also easier on a person’s wallet. According to Smith, dollar for dollar, bulk bins help people stretch their food dollar by offering high quality, nutritious food at a greater value. By eliminating individual packaging you’re able to stretch your food dollar by only paying for the product and not its label, container or branding.
A recent study conducted by Portland State University’s Food Industry Leadership Center (FILC), “on average, consumers can save 89 percent on food costs by choosing bulk food over packaged equivalents.”
Bulk bins are kind to Mother Earth. Buying from bulk bins and reusing storage containers helps keep excess packaging out of landfills, Smith said. According to the FILC study, “if every American purchased their coffee in bulk for one year, 240 million pounds of foil packaging would be eliminated from landfills.” Additionally, “if American households bought their almonds in bulk for one week, over 1.5 million pounds of packaging waste would be kept out of landfills.”
Bulk bins contain fresh, healthy ingredients. Instead of processed foods, the products contained within bulk bins are generally healthy foods high in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals such as grains, dry beans, flours, nuts and seeds. Bulk bins are regularly cleaned and refilled, leading to fresher ingredients. Also, thanks to the clear containers, you can see and select exactly what you are buying, unlike foods in sealed boxes, cans or jars.
In partnership with over 25 local producers, The County Co-Op helps support Aroostook county farmers and growers by offering locally-grown natural and sustainable foods, goods and handcrafted items. Stop in and explore the bulk bins to find a wide variety of items including local organic rolled oats and organic flours from Aurora Mills and Farm, as well as pumpkin seeds, organic couscous, cornmeal, quinoa, short grain brown rice and lentils along with maple granola, GMO-free popping corn and a variety of high quality spices.
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