BULK BUYING FOOD TIPS & HOW TO STORE WHAT YOU BUY
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- čas přidán 14. 08. 2020
- We love sourcing bulk food and household goods from local sources as often as is possible. However, where we live, we just can't get everything we need from local growers and producers. This is where Azure Standard comes in.
Azure Standard is a bulk buying coop that we've been using for many years now. They're a family run company and deliver to nearly every state (including Alaska and Hawaii) with the exception of the northeastern states.
Properly stored, bulk-bought dry goods can last on your shelf for up to 20 years, so this can really be a great economical resource! Watch the video for more storage recommendations.
Be sure to check out this post on building up your long term food storage supply: homesteadingfamily.com/buildi...
And this post on the pantry staples I'll never be without: homesteadingfamily.com/7-pant...
Check out all Azure has to offer here (affiliate): bit.ly/HFAzureStandard
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MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo
Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us at www.homesteadingfamily.com and on Facebook at / homesteadingfamily
A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!
Click any of the links below for instant access to free video training resources:
- Healthy Healing at Home- Free 4 video workshop on our herb course Herbal Medicine Cabinet: Colds
homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt
- Bread Making workshop- Free 4 video workshop on our masterclass, The Art of Homemade Bread
homesteadingfamily.com/free-b...
- Meals on Your Shelf- Free 4 video workshop on canning. The Abundant Pantry: Canning
homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-f...
Click any of the links below for instant access to these free downloadable PDFs:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - A PDF download filled with our family’s favorite holiday recipe.
classes.homesteadingfamily.co...
- 5 Steps to a More Self Sufficient Life- Simple PDF download on 5 steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
classes.homesteadingfamily.co...
- Thrive Wellness Checklist- A simple PDF download for healthy living.
homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- PDF download that is an introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list- PDF with Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles- Carolyn’s favorite make-ahead breakfast casseroles.
homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs- PDF download with multiple ways to preserve eggs.
homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden- PDF download with an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden
homesteadingfamily.com/5Steps...
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop.
homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A PDF on basic lacto-ferments.
homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes- PDF download on fermenting tomatoes
homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs- Downloadable, step by step directions to drying, freezing and salting culinary herbs.
homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard- PDF with instructions on how to render your own lard.
homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
#bulkbuyingfood #bulkbuying #bulkfoodstorage
Would love a demo on using diatomaceous earth.
That’s easy, sprinkle in a circle on some voodoo shit around whatever ya got and it basically get up under bugs shells and tears them apart from the inside until their dead. It’s a knarly weapon against crawling things. It’s great to use on shelves too and set your canned jars on it after ya cover the shelf in it :) no muss no fuss
I used to put it in bird food until I realized how toxic the dust is to them. It works great in dry conditions. Wet or moist conditions it’s worthless.
Diatomaceous earth contains alumina - so sprinkling over my food? - is this ok?
When adding to grains, do you need to stir it through the grains or just leave it sprinkled on top?
@@JesusChristIsComeInTheFlesh The alumina should not be confused with aluminum, they are not the same thing. The alumina content of DE is maybe 0-3.5% of the entire bag, and is totally harmless. The dangers of DE is people failing to use a mask to prevent inhaling the dust, and it is very drying to your skin. I learned to use latex or nitrile gloves when I am handling, saves the manicure.
I like to buy my bulk grains etc in the winter and leave the buckets outside in the freezing temps for 4 or 5 days to kill off any larvae. This is easier than trying to put them in a deep freezer but that works too.
Thanks for the tip MK.
Another great tip is to freeze your grains for 2 to 3 days before putting them into long term storage that will also kill any little critters
I do this with grocery store sized packages. I think it'd be pretty difficult with 50 lbs of something though.
If you live up north, you can leave your 5 gallon bucket on the back porch in the dead of winter for a couple days.
Can it be stored in mylar bags immediately right after that or do we let it get room temp first to avoid condensation?
Or put oxygen absorbers into the container then seal it, the critters can't live without oxygen
Just put bay leaves in your dry goods=no bugs
Btw I love your old Ford pick-up 👍
Oh Caroline, I’m rewatching this, because you have such great advice. But, I was cracking up, b/c just as you are talking about keeping insects out of the food, there is a spider trying it’s best to get under that orange lid.
It was such a great illustration of exactly what you were talking about. 😂❤️❤️
I'm learning so much from you guys. We bought 91 acres and homesteading, it has been the most rewarding thing along with some challenges, mostly because I'm ignorant of what I'm doing. Thanks for teaching us!
congratulations on your purchase, that's wonderful.
Congratulations, but you love learning. Be blessed🙏❤️
@8mins 25 secs - saw the fly walking around the orange seal - I laughed - yes! we need to protect food from those boys
I would love to rewatch your crispy pickle video. I wasn't able to write it down,having problems with my right hand.
(91 acres and homesteading ! jealous)
Awesome that you include your whole family in the work and joy of providing your family. Your children will be better adults for it.❤️
I was hoping for a demonstration of how you use the buckets for long term storage...more like a “how to.” Do you use Mylar bags when long term storing? Or, do you just pour your grain in a clean, washed bucket? Could you please expand on the topic please? Thanks. 😊
We just got our 3rd Azure Standard order today. Even though we live a little bit out in the boonies we are fortunate that the "drop" where we pick up our orders from is only 3 miles from our house. I was really excited about that.
I've been very happy with my purchases.
That green machine Ford truck is Gorgeous!
I stumbled across your families videos a few months ago. I love your channel. I'm an old lady but I have learned and am still learning so much from your videos. God bless you and your family from East Tennessee 💙
Who knew groceries could be so exciting!
Just wanted to thank you for all the wonderful entertainment. Your guidance has helped through the years.
I had pantry moths back in August of 2008 and believe me, they are really hard to get rid of! Not only did it take a few months to get rid of them, but I also had to replace everything that was infested. Several HUNDRED dollars worth! So now I keep everything in containers. I buy 25 to 30 pounds of flour at a time and I store it in an airtight food safe bucket. Since there are only 2 of us, this amount lasts almost a year. Yes, I bake a LOT.
Mary Ellen Brennan I have had them a couple times, they are a pain! When I researched containers that they can’t get in, the only thing I came up with was clamp top jars. You might wan to use those for smaller quantities of bulk items. I bought all mine at thrift stores and replaced some of the rubber rings. Also, freezing new bulk foods for a week or so kills the bugs and eggs, so you don’t get reinfested.
@Sequoia Green what was the lesson? It was the first time I ever had pantry moths in my life! That was 12 years ago and I was 55 years old. I think I did well not having them for so long!
@Sequoia Green LOL!!! You're so funny!
I’ve heard Mylar bags also inside the buckets? Thoughts on this? Is it necessary?
Mary Ellen, all you need is bay leaves. Add them to all your dry goods and put in open containers in your pantry….no moths
Considerate, informative, thorough, and just an all around excellent presentation. Thank you!
Am a newbie to Azure, and have been making less and less use of the typical grocery store for years now. Already do my own canning, have my food grade buckets/lids/mylar/everything for safe storage so purchasing Azure makes sense. Have purchased through PH Grains as well. LOTS of choices for bulk ingredients. Thinking outside the grocery bag has been a big help with stretching the $.
Super helpful. Thank you! Boy, so much to learn. Glad we have you to teach us ❤️
These are some great ideas! Buying in bulk and shopping once a month is a goal that my household has, storing is always the hardest part and in a tiny home we just do the best that we can. However this will be something I keep in mind when we have more storage space!
Thank you from SEED TO POT for all your great tips. We have started implementing these tips in our life.
I just started using Azure last month!!!! I love them and will be picking up my second order the 18th!!!
I’m so excited to hear this. We ordinarily have to fly south and shop, load a pallet at the barge lines, fly home and wait a week for the barge to delivery our shopping. As you know, flying is difficult and not doable. I thank you so much for this information. As long time bulk shoppers, we do store for the long haul. We live on a small island in Alaska with a great barge service and mail is flown in. If it’s too stormy for too long, our mail is ferried.
I've always like the idea of living in rural Alaska, where I can be away from large groups of people for extended periodsof time. But I've always wondered how people fund such a reclusive lifestyle. Do you still work, or are you surviving off of savings? I imagine it would get quite expensive having to pay a middleman for delivery of goods all the time.
I've had good luck with staving off pantry moths by freezing the grain for three days then allowing it to become room temp before long term storage. I've had pantry moths and they are absolutely no fun. I'm not sure if the freezing and thawing prevent the moths and their larvae but I haven't had any issues with the little beasts since I started following this method of storage preparation.
I do this with my 5-10 pound bags.
After freezing do you bake it at a low temp? I've heard that is the best way to insure that the flour is pest free.
@@Zoe-sj7of you just freeze it and let it come to room temp. The freezing conditions kills the egga or larvae
Awesome tip Lisa! Thank you!
How long do you let the flour say, come to room temp before packing for long term storage? That one seems a bit more tricky, I was able to get a 25 lb bag of flour for less than a 5 lb bag so I grabbed it. Let the fun begin 😊
My daughter and I really the Azure! They started a local drop off so we can finally order!👍 I bought my first bag of oxygen absorbers and feel like I am a true professional preserver.😂I have been doing this for thirty plus years but in these these times I feel it’s so important!
I don’t know how to use that and I haven’t seen anybody do a CZcams video if you could help me know somebody that does stop by stop you take a bucket you put the flower in there how many of them do you use per pound or per bucket I don’t know if you open up and use some of it do you have to use knew of those exhorters there’s so much that it’s not being told out there that’s great that everybody showing us all put this stuff in these big barrels but doesn’t teach us how to do everything and so I haven’t started because of that reason but I got some of those things packets I wish that would be taught somewhere if you know please let me know thank you
So ... I bought the boxes of Quarter Oats with individual single servings and placed 10 small bags in a quart size Foodsaver bag with a 300cc O2 absorber then safeguarded in a 5 gallon screw to five gallon bucket for long term storage ... I "You-Tube -heard" that Quaker steams it oats before packaging so I didnt freeze ... O2 not a moister absorber ... should all be re-done???
Lady, you are an angel! You gave me excellent advice!
Great video Carolyn. I ❤ Azure!
Oh my goodness! You are such an amazing woman! Thank you for sharing!
Good to see you mentioned Azure!! We've just picked up our wheat berries and beans🙏
I loved this video! Thank you again for sharing your awesomeness 😊
Super video! Thanks for the tips!
I buy from Azure Standard, too. I buy for my health food store. I like Azure Standard products.
Picked my azures order up yesterday!
Great information. Thank you
Great information thank you so much for doing these videos
Wow I have learned so much from your videos!!! Thank you
We love Azure.. great products at good prices
I so wish we had something like this in Scotland! :)
You can do it little by little 🙂
Great information!
I LOVE that truck 😍 Beauty! And thank you so much for this video 🙌 I love your channel!
Thank you so much for such great information.
Your films are always so fancy! Nice♡
🤜🏻👍🤛🏻♡♡♡
You KNOW I also love Azure standard! ;) They do such good work♡♡♡
Just a fyi, the drop times even DAYS can change at the drop of a hat, depending on weather conditions, mechanical issues with the truck, etc. We've had some frustrations with that because sometimes you have to change around your schedule to be there when they can be there. Not everyone has the ability to be that flexible. It's nice if you have a friend or two also ordering so you can pick up eachother's orders as needed.
That being said, we love Azure and the truck drivers have always been nice to work with.
Great information 😀
Great video!
I’m a drop coordinator for Azure Standard! They are a great company.
Agreed!♡♡♡
They look great. Unfortunately, on half of the items I need, including 1 gallon jars and 2-gallon buckets, they're out of stock, and it says they're unlikely to get it in before the next shipment date of September 15! Made in America yet they can't guarantee it will be back in stock in a month's time? Disappointed.
Goody2shz: their customer base increased immensely since the COVID-19 shut down(s). They have been bombarded with orders from both corporations & non-corporate customers. They are currently working on keeping up with the demand.
@@Goody2shzToo I get it. I don't know I want to keep trying. I order something and think I'm getting it and have passed up sales thinking it's coming and it's not on my order?
@@valeriepowell1736 companies need to improve their customer ordering system. If an item is out of stock it should show up that way and not be allowed to be added to cart and paid for...very frustrating indeed.
I have always used bay leaf in my rice and other bulk goods to deter pests as did my grandmother. It seems to work. Just wondering if anybody else does that.
I store my 25 lb flour in five gallon buckets. I always use a bay leaf to keep the bugs out. It has always worked.
I also use bay leaf
@@sonyabright4936 how many should I use per 10lbs of rice?
@@jennifert2002 just put two on the bottom of the jar, two in the middle and two on the top and seal also put a few in your pantry shelves
Josh and Carolyn, Thank you so much for this information. I have used oxygen absorbers before, but am curious about the dessicant packets. Do you have a resource that give a guide for which size to use in the different containers?
I heard a teaspoon per gallon of dry food OF 'Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade', Im thinking of taking it in my coffee too.... Research for yourself. Oh, love this gals clips and learned most of what I know on food storage and canning from her 🥰
I have two 5 gallons buckets with the gama lids that are amazing for bulk grains. They have kept my wheat safe. I grind the wheat and it has a huge impact on the health of the family.
Can u share some as to how you use it. I will search it up, but will like to hear from someone already usings it. Thank you!
@@loli_d the best place to find information on the health benefits of grinding your own grain is the breadbeckers. They have a channel on utube and she has tons of facts on the subject
@@Mindy56743 awesome!! Thank you!
Am trying out this ideal I saw on you tube where you take different products and put in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer for 3-7 days to kill any kind of bugs that might be in your foods. I trying with rice, flour, and oats I buy these products in bulk
Good information, thanks.
Wonderful video, thank you 🙏
Love Azure!
Good information.
Do you use a freeze dryer for preserving? We have begun to do this and have been very impressed with the results. Eggs, milk, yogurt, meat, fruits, vegetables, and have done a few meals as well. It has started to be one of our best tools.
I keep insects out of the dry goods by freezing them in the deep freeze for a week before putting them into the buckets. Never had weevils or pantry moths since.
Organics a must! Gluten free options, lots of people have gluten issues and don't know it!
Wonderful Channel
Thank you!
Thank you
Do you not use oxygen absorbers for your long-term storage? Does DE and silica replace OA? Thanks for the info. I love your calm demeanor during these stressful times 😊
That is something we dont have locally. They had a food co.op but they shut it down due to lack of engagement after regulations tightened in Canada stopping some of the inventory . I so wish we had an Azure Standard in Canada.
That is so sad. Sounds like leadership is lacking.
This was great! Thank you ..... QUESTION... how exactly should we use the diatemacious earth when storing beans, rice, etc? Sprinkle it on top you say? Thank you again and God Bless.
I love Azure and have been a customer for 13 years. I never knew they had raw apple cider. I’ve just been getting Braggs. How did I not know this? Just discovered you not that long ago. Great videos!
They have a good website, but a plain old-fashioned paper catalog would be so much easier to flip through. I can’t even think of categories to search for so I get a lot of ideas from CZcams.
Thanks so much! Can you just leave rice , sugar etc in their bags and pack several in a bucket? And do the lids have be that exact kind. Thanks
Carolyn Thanks for all your awesome information! Azure asked for my friends referral code? ❤ dawn
I want to start ordering from them....
I am new to your channel and I am loving it very much!!.....I have a question with flour that you have stored in #10 cans with oxygen packets. It seems to bake ok however, it has a different smell to it that carries over to what I made...cookies..your cobbler recipe.(the only difference was I did not have any Vanilla)......... since I have quite a bit of this in cans is there anything to remedy this situation if not is there another use to use the flour up somehow.......thank you so much for your help and for being you!!:)
love the diatomaceous earth idea in the grains...I use that in my garden ..... make sure to only use the food grade quality.... the kind that is for pools is poisonous
What is this earth stuff? Where,do you get it and how do you use it on your grains to keep from getting bugs?
@@sandrajones7896 I buy diatomaceous earth on line in bulk (50 lb) because I use it in my garden, it is important to get food grade quality.... basically it dehydrates bugs and their eggs....I would just mix it in the grains... I use it in my rice... it is good to consume... like a teaspoon in a glass of water.... it has trace minerals...it is not poison...I give it to my pets for intestinal worms....BUT...pool supply companies use a different type in pool filters but it is very important not to confuse these two..... the pool diatomaceous earth has chemicals added and this is not the right stuff
@@fionmor4893 you order this from Amazon? How much would you put in a30 gallon food grade barrel with wheat or rice in it or beans?
What is the best way to clean food grade buckets after purchasing and before first use?
I love Gamma lids.
Everyone I see on You Tube mentions the air tight seal between the bucket and the outer ring. No one seems to mention the o ring on the spinning top and the outer ring.
Kris in Orlando
Kris. I have several buckets with Gamma Seal lids. Gamma Seal lids are NOT air or water tight. There are several videos on CZcams that show the problem and how to fix.
Hi Carolyn. Absolutely love your channel! I’m starting to want to buy in bulk myself. I live in Canada. Do you have any recommendations for Canadian bulk? Or anyone else who sees this comment?
How many packets do you need to add for a 5 gallon bucket of dry goods?
Gamma lids are on the list! Plus redoing my buckets and checking my stored items for bugs. I am going to look into buying bulk items at Azure Standard. #fillmy pantry23
Would putting the dried goods in food saver vac bags adding a oxygen absorbers, sucking out the air with the food saver machine and then placing them in the buckets work as well? Thank you
This was very helpful, thank you. Please make more videos on this topic and what it all looks like. I’ve just purchased oxygen absorbers. I’ve never used them before. Are they the same as the desiccant you’re referring too? Do I need to remove air from jars with a sealer of some kind in order for the jars to last 20 years? Very interested in this topic. Thanks so much!
PaцḶєє BlцєṢтяєєт thank you.
I tried to get on the herb seminar today but couldn’t figure out how to get there. Saw the e mail too late
They will also deliver to your home. Being in a wheelchair I have learned that!
Do you wash the buckets before use? How do you do that? If you switch buckets for any reason can you wash a bucket with a gamma lid or do you need to take it off for washing?
I am learning to make bread following your lessons. I need to know where you get your ancient grains.
How do you get the DE off the grains especially grain your making bread with?
Hi Caroline, which kind of desiccant do you prefer?
What about putting dry grains in food bags where air is sucked out? Is this ok
We really used to like Azure Standard & ordered them all the time until we started to notice many of their spices & other products were grown & produced from China. It was a huge disappointment. Love your videos!
@@tdk09a I was also bummed that so much came from China - some of the garlic, etc.
What oxygen absorbers do you use for 5 gal buckets and where can you find them? Thanks
You said in one video to freeze flour for three days, if you put it in food grade bucket with gamma lid for long term storage do you need anything added.?
Can I store flour in a sealed 5 gallon pail loose with oxygen absorbers or do I have to seal small quantities and put the little packages into the pails for long term storage?
I would like to buy from Azure, but find their prices be on what I can afford. My local store has bulk foods that are way cheaper than Azure.
I had gamma lids on my grains and the seal was not water proof! I am sure if it was not water proof it would not be air tight.
You linked this video from your start being resilient now video...this said currently a suburban homesteader bc I didn't want to wait for my 20+ acres (still looking) but the only place I have is in my utility room where my washer/dryer are I kept a thermometer in there it nvr really gets higher than 76° or cooler than low 60's it's dark when the lights not on... Will that work or am I planning and storing in vain ???
Could you explain the difference between silica packets and oxygen absorbers and which you use and why?
Great tips. Sadly Azure does not drop off where I live in suburbia.
You can host a drop
Carolyn can I add diatomaceous earth to oats. If I can how much do I use.
I live in northern Michigan, I use a company called Country life Foods. It doesn’t have as many products but is my best option.
Thank you for your videos.
I’m not Carolyn, but I use DE in all my dry goods. Just sprinkle about 2 tablespoons into 5 gallons worth of food. Usually that’s about 25-35 lbs, depending on what you’re storing. Make sure you buy food grade DE, as the stuff they use for pool filters is not edible. If you have any Amish or Mennonite communities near you, they usually have good stores for stocking up. 😊
I want to check out the store you mentioned. I been having a hard time finding bulk things we need. Thanks for sharing.
"Azure Standard" is the name of the company ♡♡♡
Look at their website and find a stop closest to you.
... and don’t be surprised when things are sold out at the moment. A lot of people are trying to get bulk items.
@@susehendricks6217 that's nothing new to me. Yesterday was my second trip out last week looking for supplies. 3 groceries stores I went to before going home, was practically empty. Hubby said for me to head out Saturday super early. I already made a call to yesterday when I came home to my local GFS if they could have enough flour for me to get through the winter.
How long can flour be stored like this?
5 gallon buckets are my storage for rice, beans, flour, sugar.
I'm so sad Azure isn't available in New England!
Being close to a town I normally didn't bother having a really large pantry. NOW.. well I buy in 25 lb quantities of beans, rice, oats that lasts me(it is only me I know I suckath) around 3-4 months. Storage and usage velocity are what one needs to keep in mind when buying in bulk. IF I lived more rural (cough might be moving after this election) I would probably be buying in 50 lb quantities, and definitely more veg for canning because I would have the room to store that stuff and also have a garden.
ANYWAYS nice video, basic comment to help promote video.
So ... I bought the boxes of Quarter Oats with individual single servings and placed 10 small bags in a quart size Foodsaver bag with a 300cc O2 absorber then safeguarded in a 5 gallon screw to five gallon bucket for long term storage ... I "You-Tube -heard" that Quaker steams it oats before packaging so I didnt freeze ... O2 not a moister absorber ... should all be re-done???
We stored our bulk beans and rice in 5 gallon buckets but left them outside - below freezing and above - how badly does that affect the nutrients?
I would love to learn more about the packets and the stuff that you sprinkle on to keep the bugs away. And can I just place an order in bulk of course and get it delivered to my house?
Nope it's not coming to your house. It will be at a stop hopefully close to you I drive two hours total. And we meet at a Target parking lot.
I ordered Diatomaceous earth (food grade) from Home Depot a few months ago. Maybe check with them.
Well with this Covid they didn't let any plant starts come across the Florida line the driver had to take them off the truck and leave them. Always have had a hard time getting everything I ordered even before this mess. Forget being early at the stop my last three stops where over two hours late and it takes me and hour to get there... I got a message saying there were going to be late when I was sitting in the parking lot waiting for them. I ate Steak and Shake wondering why I was waiting on Azure? I keep on trying? lol.
Great tips on storage
I feel your pain on waiting on Azure deliveries! My drive to pick up is about 45 minutes one way and proves to be so inconvenient. Several of us in the group live a bit closer together and are petitioning Azure to make an additional stop closer to our homes. They have agreed and we are working to find an appropriate spot for the truck to drop off. Will be so much easier when the drop off is less than 15 minutes away. You might work on getting a stop nearer to home.