Author Topic: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?  (Read 3836 times)

DrJordanEdelstein

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Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« on: August 17, 2014, 03:47:22 PM »
Does anyone have any experience with food distributors? My online searching makes it seem like they will only deal with you if you are a busieness.  I buy a lot of the same food over and over and it  most of it is non perishable or will freeze well.  I have found Costco is lacking in some of the things I need and would like to buy in bulk from the distributor.  I would likely have a 500-1000 order every 2 months, basically staples. 

As an example of the quantities I would like to buy.
10-20 lbs Low fat cheddar cheese. (costco only had low fat swiss and they sell it 2lbs at a time)
30lbs frozen chopped spinach (can't find this at costco)
10lbs frozen peas
10lbs frozen corn
20lbs Quinoa
25 lbs egg whites
40 lbs frozen boneless skinless chicken tenders
Etc

I feel like I should get better prices if I am buying at these quantities right? I wouldn't have a problem picking it up from the distributor. Anyone have experience with this?

1967mama

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Re: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2014, 05:00:24 PM »
Cash and Carry sells restaurant quantities to the public but I believe they are regional (west coast) so it may depend on your location.  Great prices and never busy like Costco. No membership required.

OddOne

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Re: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2014, 05:08:32 PM »
Dr., is there a business Costco near you? They are food industry oriented.

Russ

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Re: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2014, 06:22:47 PM »
why would you ever want to buy low-fat cheese?

labrat

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Re: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2014, 06:24:22 PM »
If you're in the Midwest, you can't go wrong with GFS: http://www.gfs.com/en/store-locator.page?


DrJordanEdelstein

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Re: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2014, 07:57:27 PM »
why would you ever want to buy low-fat cheese?

Its still got fat in it just not as much it tastes pretty good if you mix it with stuff like egg whites. My diet is a bit neurotic, I try to do about a 40/30/30 split carbs/protein/fat in terms of calories, and I don't wanna get all my fat calories from cheese which is primarily saturated fat.

If you're in the Midwest, you can't go wrong with GFS: http://www.gfs.com/en/store-locator.page?

I am, and there is one pretty close to me.  I'll have to check it out.  Thanks a lot.

Cash and Carry sells restaurant quantities to the public but I believe they are regional (west coast) so it may depend on your location.  Great prices and never busy like Costco. No membership required.

Cool this is much closer than my costco, I'll have to try it as well. I looked through there flyer, they have amazing prices, you just have to buy 10-20lbs at a time.  Just what I'm looking for.

I had no idea there were so many options for bulk food.  My google-ing had previously pulled up very little (I was searching for sysco like distributors).  I just stocked up at costco so it'll be 2-3 weeks but I'm definitely gonna give these places a shot.
« Last Edit: August 17, 2014, 08:22:25 PM by DrJordanEdelstein »

Thegoblinchief

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Re: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2014, 08:24:59 PM »
Besides what's mentioned above, for dry goods ask around if anyone you know locally is part of an informal food co-op or buying club.

A friend of mine does this particular vendor. Not cheap on all things, but cheap on enough that I'll probably start buying from them soon:

http://www.clnf.org/homepage.asp

usmarine1975

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Re: Food distributors? An alternative to Costco?
« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2014, 08:37:14 PM »
If you have Mennonites or Amish in your area find out where they shop or ask them. Just a thought.  Live in Pa and most of those communities have a country store and their prices are reasonable. Be careful its not the store for tourist those will rake you over the coals. The way to know is if the plain people only work there and do not shop there.