There are many reasons why someone might want to buy food in bulk. It is a useful practice for restaurant kitchen managers. It can help you save money. It may also be better for the environment in some cases. Here are four things you need to know about buying food in bulk.

1. Some [TAG2] Are Better Suited for Bulk Buying Than Others

Certain foods, such as wholesale candy, canned goods, dried or freeze-dried foods, grains and baking ingredients, are well-suited to bulk purchasing because they are shelf-stable, meaning they have relatively long shelf lives. You can also purchase frozen foods and nuts and seeds in the shell in bulk. Other foods, including olive oil and fresh meat, fish and dairy products, are less suitable for bulk purchasing. They have short shelf lives and may not freeze well.

2. You Need To Understand Value and Pricing

Some people assume that buying in bulk automatically saves money, but this isn't necessarily true. Make sure you're aware of the individual or per-weight prices of non-bulk items so you can compare the value of buying single items versus buying in bulk. Many people use their phones to compare pricing but some prefer to do the math on paper.

3. There Are Several Places Where You Can Buy in Bulk

If you want to buy food in bulk, your first stop might be your local wholesale warehouse store. These stores require customers to have memberships before they can make purchases. If there is a butcher near you, you can buy meat in bulk, as long as you have space to freeze it and remember to check its freezing guidelines. Some grocery delivery services may offer bulk purchasing options. You can also buy baking ingredients, grains and pasta in bulk at most grocery stores.

4. Bulk Foods May Have Specific Storage Requirements

Some bulk items can be stored like dry goods while others do better in freezers. When you decide to buy a food in bulk, remember to check its storage requirements. For example, you should double bag and seal meat you plan to freeze while grains and dry pastas can be stored on shelves in their original packaging or transferred to your own containers.

If you are new to buying food in bulk, you should do some research before making any food purchases. Decide whether bulk purchases are right for you and learn which items will be useful for you to buy in bulk.