Shopping in bulk is a great way to save money and reduce environmental waste from excess packaging. But that's not the only reason to shop in bulk at Rainbow! With over 800 products to choose from, you can buy a pinch or a pound of your favorite grains and granolas, and also get the chance to try out new and unusual products you've never seen available in bulk before.

We have over a dozen different types of rice, from your basic basmati, sushi and arborio to the unusual bamboo rice, saffron rice and hand-harvested wild rice. You could stay for hours poring over all the different types of beans, whole grains, oils, cereals and dried fruit we carry. We even have over 30 different types of flour! If you are looking to add a special flair to your menu, you could try something new, like pecan butter, natto miso, or even preserved lemons. We also have an incredible selection of pasta - from your favorites, like dried rigatoni to fresh, handmade ravioli. And what would go better with pasta than some olives? Yep, there's also a full olive bar with a delicious selection of olives from around the world.

The size and quality of our Bulk Department is an important part of Rainbow Grocery's mission to provide quality, affordable food that is grown with the minimum negative ecological impact. In the Bulk Department, we do this by:

• Buying goods directly from local, organic farmers and from independent, local manufacturers.
• Encouraging customers to use recycled containers brought from home. (You get a five cent credit for every recycled container or bag you bring from home to refill with your favorite bulk foods.)
• Carrying organic products whenever possible.
• Carrying both commercial and organic versions of many of our products if we believe that the organic version might be cost prohibitive to some of our customers.
• Carrying a wide selection of fair trade coffees and chocolate.

So, the next time you're at Rainbow, check the Bulk section for your old stand-bys and for something new!