You pass by them every time you visit the supermarket, maybe not even glancing in their general direction, however bulk bins may be more worthy of your attention than you ever thought. As the Eat.Drink.Better blog informs us, with the cost of food rising and the amount of waste generated by packaging, becoming better acquainted with the bulk aisle is worth your time - and (saved) money!

Bulk aisles usually offer a wide variety of beans, legumes, nuts, flours, grains, herbs and spices, nut butters, oils, pastas, dried fruits and even snack foods. Without the added costs of advertising and packaging, these staples can be purchased at a much more affordable cost — important as we all see our grocery bills increase lately.

The National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA), a business services cooperative representing 109 food co-ops nationwide, offers consumers these tips for bulk buying:

- Don’t be afraid to ask your co-op’s staff questions about the many foods available or the process of bulk-product purchasing.

- Be adventurous. Purchase a small portion of a new food, and return for more if you like it. Bulk-bins are an excellent way to expand your food repertoire.

- Use bulk buying as a reason to better organize your pantry. Buy labels and organize your cupboards to accommodate the types of food you need.

- If you need larger quantities (i.e. a 25-pound bag of millet), ask a staff member if they can arrange a special order.

For our family, a trip to the store nearly always includes bulk purchases. A favorite is steel cut oats, which look more like small pellets instead of the rolled oats most of us are familiar with. Steel cut oats are the whole grain version of the oat, with more fiber and nutrients and a nutty flavor.

Visit the Eat.Drink.Better site for more tips and ideas, including an oatmeal recipe if you decide to try Beth's suggestion of steel cut oats.

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