These Are The Best Places To Buy Bulk Organic Food Online
It’s no secret that the organic food industry is growing at a fast pace thanks to consumers who are becoming more conscious of what they eat every day. Organic food stores are popping up all over the place and all over the internet, not only offering us healthy and eco-friendlier alternatives for our pantry, but also featuring an old practice that had been fading over the years: buying in bulk.
Here at The Eco Hub, we are committed to finding the very best sustainable brands. We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more here.
Buying in bulk is nothing more than purchasing exactly what we need by weight, without the need to take home extra amounts of food or useless packaging. This can be a huge step in one's zero waste journey because it minimizes waste and cuts down the use of plastic packaging, and thanks to the advent of so many organic online stores, bulk buying may look like an ultra-easy experience.
However, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to find the best bulk organic food online store that meets your needs… Until now! If bulk organic food is what you're looking for, then you have come to the right place.
Get your bookmarks ready, because in this post I’m going to share the best places to buy organic food online that will make shopping organic in bulk a breeze!
Why Buy organic in the first place?
At this point we have all heard about organic products: organic food, organic beauty products, organic vitamin supplements, and the list goes on and on.
Organic entered the market as a synonym for "healthy", but I'm sure you've wondered more than once if this is even true. What are the pros of consuming organic products? Are organic foods healthier than conventional ones? Is it worth that extra expense that always comes hand in hand with anything organic? Or is it all just a fad?
I asked myself those same questions years ago before I started cooking with organic ingredients, and the truth is that their benefits are quite noticeable.
Not only does organic taste better, but the nutritional value properties have been found to be higher than that of conventional produce. Some studies show organic foods have a higher amount of antioxidants and lower levels of pesticides than their conventional counterparts, so this means fewer anti-nutrients and toxic chemicals in our diets, yay!
Also, organic produce doesn't have GMO genes, which is a great thing if you consider the possible negative effects that they could have on our health such as allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, and even cancer.
On top of this, organic food is way more sustainable than conventional ones because organic farms do not pollute the environment as much as agricultural companies. They use 45% less energy, release 40% less CO2 emissions, and even tend to have more fertile soil thanks to the lack of nasty pesticides.
So in the end, why should you buy organic? Because it's healthier for your body and better for our planet! Now that you know all this, let's talk about the benefits of buying organic food online in bulk.
Benefits of Buying Organic Food Online in Bulk
If you aren't already buying organic food in bulk online, you might ask yourself: why should I start? Well, are you tired of purchasing your favorite organic foods in excessive packaging? Driving to the organic store every week has become mundane and costly (ahem, gas) to you? If that’s the case, let me tell you something: buying organic food online in bulk solves all those issues and more.
The advantages of buying in bulk are numerous, but reducing plastic and minimizing waste are two of the main motivations behind this alternative way of shopping.
Disposable containers flood the supermarkets, as well as the streets and oceans. Polystyrene trays, plastic wrapping, and PET containers are now part of the landscape in almost every country in the world. Fortunately, the return of bulk stores allows us to change a bit those shopping habits that we already considered as something normal by replacing non-biodegradable packaging with reusable bags, returnable jars, or biodegradable wrappings.
Bulk buying also allows you to buy exactly the amount of product you need, avoiding impulse purchases that almost always end up in multiple rotten foods thrown in the trash. Why buy, for example, 1 kg of flour if you only need 500 g?
Plus, there's nothing more convenient than simply turning on your laptop, placing an order, and waiting for your organic products to be delivered to your doorstep. In a nutshell, buying in bulk online definitely allows you to make smarter decisions when it comes to bringing food into your home.
Fun fact: Did you know that not so long ago, bulk purchasing was —almost— the only way to buy food? That’s right! Bulk purchasing is nothing more than the way our grandpas and great-grandpas used to do their shopping before big chain supermarkets swept away small grocery stores. Back in the day, before modern consumerism became part of almost every human being’s life, going to a small local grocery store and picking up a little bag of sugar, just enough chickpeas for lunch, and a small amount of coffee was the norm. And now, thanks to the power of the Internet, we can go back to those good old traditions in the blink of an eye!
Where to Buy Organic Food Online In Canada
Many organic food lovers are faced with the dilemma of where to buy organic food online because, as I mentioned earlier, there are many websites available. The same goes with organic food in bulk, there are many websites to choose from, so this may seem a bit confusing to some people. However, if you're looking for organic food in bulk online, then look no further than these stores — these are the best ones that I could find during my extensive eco-research!
Full Circle Foods
Full Circle Foods is an organic food supplier, that provides boxes of farm-fresh organic produce direct from organic farmers. Their boxes come packed with goodies such as fresh fruits and vegetables that are certified organic. You can pick your produce or let them sent you the latest in-season items. You can change the delivery frequency and also get ahold of eggs and other organic farm-fresh items.
A Cut Above
A Cut Above is a local bulk meat delivery service that offers grass-fed meat right to your door, making eco-friendly online bulk shopping easier than ever! This is not a subscription box, A Cut Above instead will deliver "months worth of meat right to your freezer". All you have to do is go online choose your size, type, and cut, the meats are vacuum sealed for you. Along with meat, you have the choice of Poultry which is fed non-GMO grains and is certified by a third party to ensure no chemicals are in the soil. This is a great way to connect to local farmers in your area. Choose from 4 meat boxes, beef, chicken, fish & seafood, or pork. Price varies from $85-95/per week for 4-5 Adult Portions.
Bulk Barn
With Bulk Barn, you can shop online and in-store if you are lucky enough to have one in your neighborhood. They offer a massive selection of organic foods like bulk coffee, bulk peanut butter, bulk rice, dates, oatmeal, and bulk herbs and species. You can check most pantry staps off your list. And if you need bulk cleaning supplies like baking soda, you can grab that too! With so many locations across Canada, you are sure to find a bulk grocery store near you.
Online Organics
Online Organics is the brainchild of Dalia, a Jordanian immigrant of Palestinian who was appalled with the lack of good food available in most Canadian grocery stores. Online Organics makes it super simple for you to shop. Choose your category: candy, cans, pasta powders, etc. You can even sort by certification (paleo, gluten-free, etc.) and country of origin. They ship Canada-wide and offer really affordable prices.
Upaya Naturals
This is one of Canada's largest organic online bulk shops, they have been around since 2004 and sell a variety of raw vegan bulk foods. They ship all over Canada and the USA. Looking for nuts, seeds, dried fruits, supplements, sea vegetables, bread, teas, herbs, and spices, they've got it all. They even have a discounted bulk section and health section for kids and pets too. This is truly a one-stop-shop for all your bulk organic food shopping.
Mama Earth Organics
I first them the lovely people behind this Certified B. Corp over 10 years ago and I am so happy to say they have grown, a lot. You have so many choices, from custom produce baskets to chef-made meals and even pantry staples. Mama Earth Organics is a subscription service for those who wanted to stock a zero-waste kitchen with local, organic, and nutritious food. They donate a portion of all their sales to help families suffering from food insecurity. They only deliver in the GTA and prices start as low as $12.45.
Cook It
If you hail from Ontario, Quebec or the Maritimes then check out Cook It. These ready-to-eat options are packed full of nutrition-approved recipes that picky kids or adults will love. Meals can be ready in 30 minutes or less with so many delicious options from french food artisanal shops, it's a no-brainer. Prices start at $7.76 per serving.
Spud
Out West serving Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, Spud carries organic and local groceries that are grown sustainably. What I love about Spud is they sell "ugly" and "imperfect food" which helps to reduce food waste substantially. They also compost all the food that can't be sold or donated. Spud is one of the best online bulk stores, to date, they have diverted 7 million plastic grocery bags from landfills with their reusable bins and they support 217 local vendors.
Community-Supported Agriculture Memberships
One of the best ways to reduce food waste is to join a CSA program in your area. In Canada, there are hundreds to choose from and they give you the opportunity to connect directly with local farmers and learn firsthand where your food comes from. When you join, you pay upfront to purchase a share in the farm's harvest and each week you get the most seasonal and delicious food delivered to your door or you can pick it up at the farm. I love the fact that you are getting seasonal foods that you can have fun with and try new recipes.
Bulk Organic Food Online in the United Stares
Hungry Harvest
Hungry Harvest is another company making news thanks to its food rescue program, they keep perfectly imperfect food from being thrown out, and keeping food out of the garbage can is one way that we can achieve zero waste. Their harvest boxes come in a variety of sizes from mini to super-size and are delivered to your door. The service "Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, Northern Delaware, South Florida, The Triangle Area & Charlotte in North Carolina & the Detroit Metro Area." You have to create an account to log in and see the prices in your area.
Thrive Market
Thrive has a simple motto "healthy living made easy", this is what I love to hear. Thrive is incredibly popular in the USA and for good reason. Not only do they offer organic food at 50% below retail there selection is HUGE: organic pantry staples, check. Beauty items, check. Organic cleansers, check. Pet care, check. You get the idea. You need to sign up to become a member and when you join if you order at least once a month you will save about $384US each year!
Whole Foods and Amazon
I was on the fence about including Amazon, but I think it's important to think about accessibility and cost. Not everyone can shop the same way and Amazon does make it really easy to have organic food delivered to your door since they acquired Whole Foods. I shop every week at Whole Foods and wish this program was available in Canada. If you are in the USA you can get your snacks, produce, frozen foods, eggs, cheese, and more. If you are an Amazon Prime Member you can save an extra 10%.
Public Goods
Looking for eco-friendly & green everyday items from food to beauty and cleaning supplies? Public Goods has hundreds of products that are not only sustainable but super affordable too. They are able to keep costs down because they sell their own brand name items and for $79US per year "save on all the items you use the most and take the guesswork out of finding the best value."
ButcherBox
Looking for quality, humanely raised meats? Look no further than ButcherBox. This Certified B. Corporation offers you the choice of meat, chicken, fish, or pork delivered to your door in a cardboard box that you can compost or recycle. The folks at ButcherBox not that "Our partners' operating methods are inspired by Dr. Temple Grandin, a member of the Humane Farm Animal Care Program's scientific committee." Shipping is free and you can either customize your own box or choose from four of their pre-curated boxes.
Saffi Foods
Bring Michellin Star ingredients right into your kitchen with Saffi's impressive lineup of bulk oils and vinegar. And that's not it, all their ingredients are sustainably sourced and grown, unpasteurized, raw, and free from crappy preservatives. "That's why we work directly with our farms, use only clean, undiluted, or mixed products, and provide complete transparency of the source of our ingredients." Love that!
Organic Matters
Stock your pantry easily with Organic Matter GIANT selections of staples: pasta, beans, rice, teas, herbs, spices, butters, savory ingredients the list goes on and on. All of their foods are sourced as locally as possible and most are USDA or COR certified.
Which Online Health Food Delivery Service Offers the Lowest Prices for Organic Food?
Mention organic food to most people and they’ll likely say that it’s too expensive. Yes, this can be true to some extent, and sometimes it’s worth the investment, but you can actually buy organic food without going broke.
Buying Organic Food Online Is Easy & Convenient!
Buying in bulk isn't just about shopping at a different store or joining a trend, it's about changing your mindset when it comes to buying food. It's about responsible shopping — a positive practice that, when introduced into your daily life, will allow you to help the environment from the comfort of your kitchen.
If organic food is something you care about, then organic online shopping in bulk should be your next big investment. I don't mean to sound biased here, but I can't tell you how many times I've been to the grocery store and bought organic produce only to find out that it's gone bad before I could eat it all! Buying organic food online in bulk solves this problem and saves me a ton of time.
The process of buying organic in bulk online allows you the convenience and flexibility that makes shopping for groceries so much easier! So don't wait any longer - start planning your next organic shopping list, both your overall health and Mother Earth will forever be grateful.
If you found this post helpful, please help someone by sharing this article – sharing is caring 🙂!
Chris
says:Great articles Candace! I looked into most of these services, not all are bulk delivery methods but still worth to purchase. I noticed another bulk meat company Farm Club at https://www.farmclubmeats.ca/ and they also seem to be a good bulk meat provider in Canada. Thought you would appreciate it. Thanks!
Candice Batista
says:Thanks for the tip,Chris, we will take a look.
Sørina Higgins
says:I also recommend Azure Standard if it’s available in your area!
Candice Batista
says:Thank you for the tip.