I never thought I would be someone buying an excessive amount of groceries. In my mid-20s when I really found my love and passion for food, health, and wellness, I tried to be simple with grocery shopping; it helped me really save money and produce less waste.
Fast forward to my mid to late-30’s, married and with two kids. Our goal as parents is really quite the same as it was before – to provide food for our family. We like to try new recipes, but we also know that we don’t have as much time these days, and of course we make sure we are staying within our budget.
Enter the warehouse options.
You can buy in bulk from Target, Amazon Prime, and other grocery stores, but what typically comes to mind is the larger warehouse stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club.
We share a Costco membership with my family, and I have to admit…we use it way more than we expected to! I fully recognize that every family’s budget, needs, and preferences differ, but I also love being able to share what our purchases look like. Most likely, there is at least one other Mom, Dad, parent figure, etc. who is looking for more help with this. We are all in this together, right?
My Favorite Groceries to Buy in Bulk
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Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter: This is on repeat when we order or buy in-store. Sure, it requires some extra stirring, but it is delicious and simple.
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That’s It Mini Fruit Bars: I keep these in my purse, car, diaper bag, and in the pantry for our kids! That’s It is truly it. The bars just contain fruit, no added sugar. They are so simple, mess-free, and yummy!
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Babybel Mini Snack Cheese: Also a very portable snack, these baby cheese snacks are great to pair with the fruit bars! They also work great with a charcuterie board.
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Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray: Avocado Oil has a higher smoking point than olive oil does, so when we grill, or use high heat in the oven or instant pot, we go for avocado oil. It can get expensive and I really love this option for a two-pack.
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Dave’s Organic Bread (21 Whole Grains): Another money saver. It’s easy to spend a lot of money on this brand, and I’m not partial to it, but I like the nutritional value it offers. We usually open one, and throw the other one in the freezer
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Banza Chickpea Rotini: Not everyone is into chickpea pasta, but my kids are. Banza is great because you really can’t tell the difference. Plus, it provides fiber and protein, and we love to pair this pasta with vegetables and parmesan cheese.
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Kirkland Signature Organic Hummus: Typically, I go for the larger containers of hummus, but they can also mold quickly if you don’t eat them right away. We really like the single-serve hummus containers; they last longer and are a perfect portion to throw in lunchboxes for kids or adults.
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Produce: Whether it is berries, avocados, cucumbers, or mini peppers, produce is in abundance at Costco. Obviously, make sure you are going to eat it. We usually buy these when we have more people over, if it’s a long weekend, or if our kids are spending more time at home rather than daycare.
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Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers: Some of our favorites! I really love this brand, and I always, hands down, buy this box instead of buying a regular box at the grocery store. The simple (pun intended) reason is the cost.
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Cameron’s Specialty Coffee (Organic Velvet Moon): We make a carafe of coffee every morning for good measure. 🙂 We go for the whole beans and love to grind them on the weekend, with extra help from our little ones.
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Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken: Rotisserie chicken can be used so many ways. I always take the meat off right when getting home (it is way easier!) and use it in quesadillas, chicken salad, or just for added protein. Check out more on-the-go dinner options.
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Kodiak Cakes: Kodiak Cakes are the best when it comes to a pre-made pancake mix. Protein and whole grains are a big piece of what the ingredients have to offer. Instead of the typical pancakes, we have really been getting into Sheet Pan Pancakes.
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Kirkland Organic Hemp Hearts: Hemp Hearts are a gold mine; they contain high-quality protein and healthy fats, but also potassium, Vitamine E, magnesium, iron, zinc, and much more. Like I said, a gold mine!
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Go Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt: These crunchy little seeds are another great option for a plant-based protein. I love to eat the pumpkin seeds for a snack or top salads.
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Kirkland Signature Organic Applesauce Pouch: I think most kids love applesauce, and it’s even more fun when the applesauce is in a pouch. These are perfect for traveling or quick snacks on the go.
I truly limited my list of Costco favorites. Tell us – is buying in bulk worth it for your family? What are your favorite items to buy?
