Nuts From Bin At Whole Foods

[precious831]

Normally I won't consider buying nuts from bins even at Whole Foods. They have some that are packaged but it's not better because it says "manufactured on the same equipment as wheat, milk, etc." Then I thought well I wash the nuts anyway and soak them, then dehydrate them. What do you think? Should I take a chance because I wash the nuts, soak for 12 hrs and then rinse and dehydrate them anyway?

I was buying from an online website but it's getting really expensive buying plus the shipping fees.

Thanks.

[swolfe]

I eat Natures Path Sunrise Mesa and Corn Flakes (both gluten free) but the pre-package is more expensive than the bulk. However since the "warning" label is on the bulk container I don't trust the bulk product. I talked with a Whole Foods manager and I was told that they often put the warning on the bulk products that are normally allergen free because there may be cross contamination in filling the bin and not necessary with the original product. Since the manager also has celiac disease, he was sympathetic in understanding how expensive gluten free living is. So, he arranged for me to purchase sealed bulk packages at bulk prices when I need to. You may want to have this discussion with the manager of your local store regarding purchasing nuts in bulk. Regarding bulk foods in general - I suggest avoiding purchasing items out of the lower bins that use scoops since customers often interchange these scoops between bins. Hope this helps.

[Takala]

There has to be some place cheaper to shop for nuts than at Whole Paycheck, sheesh.

You just need to find it. I also stock up when I do, and freeze the nuts to kill any possible bugs and then store them in a freezer or refrigerator or in the (cool) garage in a sealed container. We have a small spare refrigerator in the garage we bought when our normal sized, expensive one went down for repairs, and use it to store a lot of purchased non perishables. Even if the electricity goes off, it can act as a storage box in winter. I rotate gluten free flours and nuts thru it, and sometimes deals on locally grown fruits or our stuff. Best $200 we've spent. When I see almonds at $3 dollars a pound, we load it up.

[precious831]

I eat Natures Path Sunrise Mesa and Corn Flakes (both gluten free) but the pre-package is more expensive than the bulk. However since the "warning" label is on the bulk container I don't trust the bulk product. I talked with a Whole Foods manager and I was told that they often put the warning on the bulk products that are normally allergen free because there may be cross contamination in filling the bin and not necessary with the original product. Since the manager also has celiac disease, he was sympathetic in understanding how expensive gluten free living is. So, he arranged for me to purchase sealed bulk packages at bulk prices when I need to. You may want to have this discussion with the manager of your local store regarding purchasing nuts in bulk. Regarding bulk foods in general - I suggest avoiding purchasing items out of the lower bins that use scoops since customers often interchange these scoops between bins. Hope this helps.

That's a great idea, I'll call and talk to the manager about that. I have to be really careful because I'm not just gluten-free, I can't tolerate any grains. I was aware of the bins being used for different things. I did ask about that and the person that I spoke to said that if they were going to put something different in it, they wash the bins first(at Whole Foods). And yeah the scoops too was a concern for me.

[precious831]

There has to be some place cheaper to shop for nuts than at Whole Paycheck, sheesh.

You just need to find it. I also stock up when I do, and freeze the nuts to kill any possible bugs and then store them in a freezer or refrigerator or in the (cool) garage in a sealed container. We have a small spare refrigerator in the garage we bought when our normal sized, expensive one went down for repairs, and use it to store a lot of purchased non perishables. Even if the electricity goes off, it can act as a storage box in winter. I rotate gluten free flours and nuts thru it, and sometimes deals on locally grown fruits or our stuff. Best $200 we've spent. When I see almonds at $3 dollars a pound, we load it up.

LOL yup I call WF Whole Paycheck too...sheesh. Good news is that Trader Joe's is coming and it's going to be right in front of Whole Foods! How funny is that?

I actually have a big freezer. I caved in and bought one last yr. It's filled with meats. DD is sensitive to a lot of meats so I stock up on game meats and meats for us too. I also bake stuff and freeze them. I freeze the nuts too and nut flours. I'm only allowed to use nut flours because I can't tolerate grains.

I've been organic nuts from nutsonline, they're not bad but the shipping is expensive.