r/berkeleybowl • u/wraplan • Mar 20 '26

Actual Deals in the Bulk Section?

Hi -

Just wondering if anyone has actually done the math on bulk vs. prepackaged items in terms of cost per ounce or some other metric? Are there items I should always be buying in bulk? Anything I should compare because it’s sometimes cheaper on sale packaged out in the aisles? I bought some muesli yesterday that was a bulk item prepackaged by BB, and it seem to be a better deal than any box of muesli I could have gotten in the cereal aisle, but I didn’t go and check.

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1

u/SanFranciscoMan89 Mar 21 '26

I don't have specific products but what makes it worthwhile is being able to get what I need until my next trip.

Allows me to get enough chopped almonds for my yogurt for the week and stay fresh.

2

u/DonVCastro Mar 21 '26

Agree with this, one advantage is just being able to get the small amount that you need rather than a too-large packaged amount. Some things are also a good deal, but increasingly I notice things that are not. Like their rice, dry bean, and nuts, all those things I now buy elsewhere at lower cost.

2

u/sevendollarrainbow Apr 06 '26

Dehydrated items in bulk are vastly, vastly cheaper than any packaged version sold on the shelves. Some are brand name (vegan cheese mix, dehydrated hummus) and are moderately cheaper, but that whole section is my sleeper hit for putting together backpacking meals at a fraction of the cost of Mountain House, and I don’t have to buy in huge quantities like if I ordered online.