local bulk prep foods for long term storage

[big flash]

So i finally started prepping some basic bulk foods in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and all. Doing about 6 gallon packs to a 5 gallon bucket I'm getting about 28 pounds of dry beans/rices/pasta to a bucket. I'm happy with the couple buckets I've done so far as a start so now we have something in more of a long term storage role. But I'd like to up the ante a little and I want to buy some bulk hard grains, oats, whole wheat berries, etc.
I just don't have any idea where I should go. I'm in Rochester, so anyone have advice on any local places I should check out? We don't have to keep the thread rochester specific though at all.
so far I've just gotten the biggest bags I could at the regular super market or BJ's. but was surprised with how poor BJ's selection was in this regard.

[big flash]

In case anyone is interested here's a photo of the first 3 gallon bags per bucket. The gallon bags are loaded with 4-6 lbs of beans or rice here. labeled via sharpie and sealed with a hair straightening iron. i like the gallon size as it seems like it will be easier to use when the time comes and if some bag or seal failed before use, i'd only be out one gallons worth of food instead of a whole bucket's worth. that's the theory anyway.

[tdpark]

i had to mail order- breadbeckers. I think they have group buys regionally to help on shipping.

[big flash]

i had to mail order- breadbeckers. I think they have group buys regionally to help on shipping.

thanks i'll definitely check that out!

[DEmerson]

Not to do with your question ... but don't forget salt and sugar .... lots of it.

[24Pink14Stink]

I use emergency essentials. Beprepared.com

[big flash]

Not to do with your question ... but don't forget salt and sugar .... lots of it.

definitely good advice, thanks!

I use emergency essentials. Beprepared.com

Thanks, I'll give them a peak.

[usmcveteran]

I might have to give this a try as well

[big flash]

I might have to give this a try as well

yeah, definitely. I have a family of four in the house so your food prepping will go much further than mine too.

I basically used these guy's recommendations, gallon mylar bags and oxygen absorbers:
http://www.optimumpreparedness.com/m...d_storage.html

[big flash]

I also used a straightening iron from walmart that cost $10. i also did not put desiccants in the bottoms of the bags, seemed from other websites to not be necessary.
nor did i fill them to 7.5lbs per bag, but i could have, they would hold it. they just seemed to fit better this way into the buckets and when i go to use them i'll be able to fold more of the bag over between meals.

[big flash]

ok just did the math and my first couple buckets totaled about $48 each. That includes about 10lbs rice, 18lbs of different beans, 1 gall mylar, oxygen absorbers, bucket and lid.
(eta: i figure each bucket is about 1 week's worth of food in calories for my family)

so that is still a little cheaper than what i'm finding for these kinds of things already done online and those still need to be shipped. but it's not a big price difference if you can hit online sales. it also doesn't take much time for the task to be honest. But i'd like to get the cost down even more on the next ones

it does look like it's hard to beat certain type of prepackaged survival combos online though. rice, beans, sugar and salt are easy to do yourself. freeze dried stuff for example, not so much.

[24Pink14Stink]

Totally cheaper to do your own. I have a decent bit of rice and beans, but also ordered a few superpails from emergency essentials - lentils and rolled oats.

[usmcveteran]

Stopped at dollar store today and they had some big moisture absorbers on bottom shelf in back over by the little ceasars closet to Lyell ave.

[Sailor Jerry]

Restaurant depot, makes sam's club, bj's and Costco look like a 711.

[usmcveteran]

These are the moisture absorbers dollar store has.