Bulk foods are food items offered in large quantities, which can be purchased in large, bulk lots or transferred from a bulk container into a smaller container for purchase. Bulk foods may be priced less compared to packaged foods because they are typically packaged in large generic bulk containers and packaging for grocery outlets, which utilizes lesser natural resources. Additionally, less packaging is congruent with the environmental conservation of natural resources and sustainability. One study found a 96% reduction in packaging used for bulk foods compared to packaged foods. National Bulk Foods Week A National Bulk Foods Week was designated between October 16–22, 2011 in ten U.S. states. Products Some commonly available bulk foods and products include: Dry goods Beans Candy Licorice Cereals Coffee Cookies Cornmeal Dehydrated potatoes Dried fruits Dates Dried kiwifruit Grains Bulgur Flour Oats Pancake mix Pasta Dry Noodles Popcorn Rice Whole grains Granola Herbs Nuts Peanuts Pet food Pretzels Salt Seasonings Spices Crystallized ginger Sugar Tea Trail mix Liquid and wet goods Honey Cooking oils Fruit spreads Olive oil Maple syrup Molasses Peanut butter Vinegar Household goods Dish detergent Laundry detergent Retailers Notable retailers of bulk foods include: Cub Foods Colruyt Costco Food 4 Less Bulk Barn Giant Eagle Lunds Real Canadian Superstore Roundy's Rungis International Market Sam's Club Sprouts Farmers Market Whole Foods Market WinCo Foods See also Grocers originally sold dry goods out of bins and barrels Grocery store References Further reading Food retailing