More food...for less money...

Probably the 3 most popular places for our people to buy bulk items in the NorCal area are the Church's "Family Home Storage Center"...Winco...and Costco. One can't assume that one of these 3 vendor's prices are always going to be better than the others...because food prices can change overnight...and the "best place" to buy food isn't always the same.

Below you will find a comparison of the current prices of some of the food storage "basics" available from these vendors. By shopping at one store over another you may find some substantial savings... while others are basically a wash. Many items are carried at one location but not another...and some we just didn't get the prices for. Also know that there is not always an "apples to apples" comparison as variety and quality can be different. I highlighted the product that should be the best buy based solely on price.

Black Beans
Church - $17 - 25lb
Winco - $22.58 - 25lb

Pinto Beans
Church - $17 - 25lb bag
Winco - $16.88 - 25lb
Costco - $16.99 - 25lb

White Beans
Church - $17.35 - 25lb
Winco - $20.68 - 25lb

Milk, Nonfat Dry
Church - $36.65 - 25lb (wow! Big savings!)
Winco - $156.75 - 50lb

White Rice
Church - $11.35 - 25lb
Winco - $14.75 - 25lb
Costco - $10.45 - 25lb (Blue Ribbon Long Grain Rice)

Sugar, Granulated
Church - $14.05 - 25lb
Winco - $20.50 - 50lb
Costco - $20.49 - 50lb (C & H Granulated Sugar)

Wheat, Hard Red
Church - $6.05 - 25lb
Winco - $20.90 - 25lb

Apple Slices
Church - $62.70 - 15lb
Winco - $55.82 - 22lb (the label said "dried". I am unsure if the moisture content is the same between the Winco and church products...and which is better suited for longer term storage. I would investigate Winco's product before putting it away for long term)

Macaroni
Church - $14.40 - 20lbs
Winco - $17.67 - 20lbs

Oats, Regular
Church - $6.80 - 25lbs
Winco - $11.18 - 25lbs
Coscto - $6.75 - 9lbs (Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal)

Dry Onions
Church - $70.10 - 35lbs
Winco - $31.27 - 10lbs

Potato Flakes
Church - $28.05 -25lbs = $1.12 per lb
Winco - $45.22 - 40lbs = $1.13 per lb

Spaghetti
Church - $17.45 - 25lbs = .70 per lb
Winco - $16.15 - 20lbs = .81 lb

Refried Beans
Church - $25.95 - 25lbs
Winco - $39.63 - 10lbs

Hot Cocoa Mix
Church - $22.30 - 25lbs
Winco - $49.40 - 50lbs

White Flour
Church - $9.10 - 25lbs
Winco - $8.25 - 25lbs
Costco - $13.49 -50lb (That's .27 a lb!!!)(Harvest Bread Flour)

Fruit Drink Mix
Church - $20.05 - 25lbs
Winco - $23.53 - 25lbs

Pancake Mix
Church - $13.05 - 16lbs = .82 per lb
Winco - $17.95 - 25lbs = .72 per lb

Perhaps after reading this comparison you can see why so many nonmembers come to can at our Family Home Storage Centers!! The Church's Storage Center offered overall the best prices. Winco offered the best selection...with lot's more choices for grains...and beans...mixes etc...than were listed here. Costco took first place with rice...sugar...and flour. All three are great places to shop.

Other Costco prices you may be interested in seeing...

Basmati Rice from India 20 lb bag @ $23.99 ($1.20/lb)

Calif. Homai Calrose Rice 50 lb bag @ $23.99 (.48/lb)

Organic Brown Rice 12 lb bag @ $13.79 ($1.15/lb)(.68/lb)

Hotel & Restaurant Flour 50 lb bag @ $13.49 (.27 lb)

Organic Unbleached Flour 2/10 lb bags @ $13.99

C & H Pure Cane Sugar 25 lb bag @ 11.15 (.45/lb)

C & H Granulated Sugar 10 lb bag @ $4.59 (.46/lb)

C & H Organic Sugar 10 lb bag @ $7.99 (.80/lb)

Here is a calculator for comparing prices.

Please...if you know of better prices than those above...please list them in the "comments" for others to benefit from.

and...a big thank you to Karen for helping to gather the prices.