Buying bulk or ordering by the case is smart for a number of reasons. For the customer, it saves gas, packaging and allows you to make the most out of the “on sale” cycle. Buying items when they’re on sale can save you 15% to 40% on your groceries. For the grocer, it saves shelf space and the labor costs involved in stocking and retailing single items. Bulk buying is also a time saver for both the customer and the retailer.

Several options exist locally for buying bulk foods. If you’d like to store organic goods,then joining the Greenstar Cooperative Market or ordering from Ludgate Farms are your best bets. Regional Access, a restaurant wholesaler in Trumansburg, is another good source for locally grown organic foods.

Greenstar’s strengths are that it works with multiple distributors, is centrally located, offers membership discounts and a 5% bulk ordering discount. The downside to Greenstar, however, is that the process of special ordering is cumbersome, catalogs with sale items from distributors aren’t easily available, and often inaccuracies regarding pricing occur at the checkout. Still, it works, if you’re patient and learn the ropes around the market.

Ludgate Farms is family owned and operated. Located on Hanshaw Rd. a short jog off of route 13, Ludgate’s is a year round grocery and farmer’s market. Strengths here are that bulk ordering can be arranged via email, pickup is simple with the assistance of the staff, and the United Foods catalog is available on site. Ludgate’s pricing isn’t quaite as good as Greenstar’s and they work with a single grocery distributor, so availability can be an issue for grocery items. Ask for Michael (257-1765) to arrange bulk ordering.

Most chain grocery stores will also order cases for you. Go to the service desk and ask about the ordering, pricing, and pickup policies specific to your neighborhood store.

NOTE: As with all entries to PreparedTompkins, please contact
Martha Geddon if you have any refinements, corrections, or supplemental information that might be useful. Thanks…the Geddon crew.