Portland, Ore. – May 10, 2012 –The Bulk is Green Council (BIG), a national organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of buying organic and natural foods in bulk, is again inviting retailers, grocers and co-ops nationwide to participate in National Bulk Foods Week 2012. This year’s National Bulk Foods Week will take place October 14-20.
The goal of National Bulk Foods Week is to celebrate the many reasons to shop in bulk and also encourage new consumers to give the bulk foods aisle a try. In addition to the economical and environmental benefits, the bulk aisles now offer a wide selection of organic and natural foods, as well as the opportunity to buy exactly the amount needed.
“Shopping for natural and organic foods in the bulk foods aisle is the most economical and environmentally friendly way to shop, and we are excited to again partner with retailers to take that message to consumers during National Bulk Foods Week,” said Ellen Bouchard, Category Manager at Frontier Natural Products Co-op and BIG Council member. “National Bulk Foods Week 2011 was a tremendous success, and we’re looking to go even bigger this year.”
In 2011, more than 600 retailers joined BIG in celebrating National Bulk Foods Week, and governors in more than 13 states declared National Bulk Foods Week in their respective states. This year, BIG is looking to increase the number of stores taking part to more than 1,000.
To encourage retailer participation, the companies that make up BIG are offering special product savings that can then be passed along to consumers during National Bulk Foods Week. BIG also will provide stores with signage and other materials intended to promote the benefits of bulk foods and attract new bulk foods shoppers. Additionally, participating stores will be entered in the running for BIG’s annual industry recognition – the 2012 Bulk Foods Retailer of the Year.
Even more reason for consumers to join the organic bulk foods movement: According to a study released earlier this year by Portland State University’s Food Industry Leadership Center, organic bulk foods are on average 89% less expensive than their organic packaged counterparts. The first such study to ever be conducted in the United States also found buying bulk foods greatly reduces the amount of product packaging going into landfills and that food manufacturers can save an average of 54% on bulk foods materials and delivery costs.
Retailers interested in learning more about the specific product discounts and promotional materials available to them for National Bulk Foods Week are encouraged to contact any of the following members of the Bulk is Green Council (or the appropriate bulk organic and natural food distributor):
· Ellen Bouchard, Frontier Natural Products Co-Op - Ellen.Bouchard@frontiercoop.com, P: 319.227.7996
· Mark Devencenzi, SunRidge Farms - mdevencenzi@sunridgefarms.com, P:831.786.7000
· Todd Kluger, Lundberg Family Farms - tkluger@lundberg.com, P: 530.538.3500
· Bart McKnight, Trade Fixtures - BMCKnight@tradefixtures.com, P: 501.664.1318
· Mark Teat, The Hain-Celestial Group - mark.teat@hain-celestial.com P: 800.434.4246
More information about National Bulk Foods Week, the PSU bulk foods study and the benefits of buying in bulk can be found at www.bulkisgreen.org.
ABOUT BULK IS GREEN COUNCIL
Bulk is Green Council is an organization dedicated to increasing consumer, retailer and grocer awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of buying natural and organic in bulk. Founded in 2008, the council serves as a research and advocacy group, conducting and publishing studies on industry trends and offering educational tools and resources online. The board includes industry leaders Hain Celestial, SunRidge Farms, Frontier Natural Products Co-Op, Trade Fixtures, and Lundberg Family Farms. Additional information is available at BulkisGreen.org.