bulk food

USAGE SUMMARY

"bulk food" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to food that is sold in large quantities, often for a discounted price. For example, "We buy bulk food from the wholesale store to save money."

✓ Grammatically correct

Groceries

Sustainable shopping

Food distribution

Animal feed

Food storage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

All three stores — and many other mainstream groceries — have bulk food sections.

The New York Times

Ms. Gorshow had been a college instructor and school administrator, and she owned a mail-order bulk food distribution concern.

The New York Times

Plus, most food banks, he noted, can buy highly discounted bulk food in a variety of ways.

The New York Times

The bulk food aisles are where shoppers can take their own tubs and fill them with dried goods: pasta, cereals, rice, spices.

The Guardian - Money

Why not talk about choosing products with less packaging — paper or plastic — and filling your own reusable containers in the bulk food section?

The New York Times

Ahold said last month that it would sell the unit, which distributes bulk food to cafeterias, as part of a major shift back to its retailing roots.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

BIG hopes to encourage more than 1,000 stores to offer further discounts on bulk foods during the week.

The Guardian - Money

"It also means buying foods from the bulk bins in the bulk foods aisle of a grocery store, and we want to promote this".

The Guardian - Money

An increase in size and the gradual addition of bulk foods to the diet would in turn have affected the habitat and the pattern of locomotion of primates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There's a part of me that feels a little shameful," said Aimee Denette, 31, who works in the co-op's bulk foods department.

The New York Times

"Familiar personalities such as Dr. Brown, Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, and Old Grand-Dad came to replace the shop-keeper, who was traditionally responsible for measuring bulk foods for customers and acting as an advocate for products... a nationwide vocabulary of brand names replaced the small local shopkeeper as the interface between consumer and product.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "bulk food", consider your audience's familiarity with the term. If necessary, clarify whether you're referring to the quantity, the lack of packaging, or the specific section of a store.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "bulk food" automatically implies organic or healthy options. While often associated with health food stores, bulk sections can also contain less nutritious items like candies and snack foods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bulk food" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to food items sold in large quantities, often unpackaged, as seen in the Ludwig examples about buying grains and spices in bulk.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bulk food" is a grammatically sound noun phrase referring to food sold in large quantities. As indicated by Ludwig, it's commonly used to describe shopping habits related to unpackaged foods, economy and waste reduction. Though generally neutral in register, it appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When using the term, consider your audience's understanding, and remember that while "bulk food" is often associated with health and savings, this isn't always the case. Be clear about what aspect of "bulk food" you are referring to – the quantity, the price, the packaging (or lack thereof) – to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

food in bulk

Reorders the words to emphasize the quantity of food, not the type of sale.

large quantity of food

Specifies the amount of food using descriptive words.

wholesale food

Focuses on the type of sale rather than the quantity.

unpackaged food

Emphasizes the lack of individual packaging, often associated with bulk buying.

economy size food

Highlights the cost-effectiveness of buying a larger size.

institutional food

Suggests food purchased for large-scale operations like cafeterias.

commodity foods

Focuses on raw materials bought and sold in quantity.

staple foods

Emphasizes basic food items often purchased in bulk.

food supplies

Refers to a reserve of food, often purchased in large amounts.

surplus food

Highlights the excess amount of food, which may result from bulk purchasing.

FAQs

How can I use "bulk food" in a sentence?

You can use "bulk food" to describe items you buy in large quantities to save money or reduce packaging. For example, "I prefer to buy "organic oats" from the bulk bins at the grocery store".

What are the benefits of buying "bulk food"?

Buying "bulk food" can reduce packaging waste and often saves money compared to buying pre-packaged items. You can also purchase the exact amount you need, minimizing food waste.

Where can I purchase "bulk food"?

You can find "bulk food" sections at many grocery stores, health food stores, and co-ops. Some stores also offer "bulk food online".

Is "bulk food" always cheaper?

While often cheaper, it's important to compare prices per unit (e.g., per ounce or per pound) to ensure you're actually saving money when buying "bulk food". Also factor in the shelf life of the food to avoid waste.