The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Bulk Flour

scottsourdough's picture
scottsourdough

Bulk Flour

I've just started noticing how ridiculously expensive flour can be, so I'm trying to start buying bulk. This has proved much more difficult than I expected, particualrly finding high quality flour in bulk. I was on the website for Heartland Mill (http://s55352.storefront-solutions.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=3) looking into golden buffalo, but their website has a lot of inconsistencies. In the product catalog they have a flour called "Bolted Turkey," which they don't mention anywhere else on the site. Does anyone know anything about this flour or its specifications? The site doesn't say anything about it. Any information about this or about buying bulk flour in general (I live in NJ) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

sicilianbaker's picture
sicilianbaker

I work in the foodservice business so I can get Bulk flour 50lb to 100lb sacks for cheap. around .30 a lb. King Arthur ships their flour in bulk, They have a small amount, Bread, Hi Gluten, Cake and Pastry Flour, never asked about WW but I think all their other speciality flours are gimicks..

I ordered KA cake flour but my sysco rep doesn't sell it, he said he sells alot of GM Cake flour, its called Purasnow. my favorite bakery uses it and I have to say its the industry standard. I worked with their GM Semolina flour, 50lbs for 16 dollars and I like it better than the King Arthur Flour.

I did buy the KAF Special which is their bread flour, that bread flour I won't be easy to switch so that stays constant.

bmoo's picture
bmoo

Dawn Foods is a food distributor in Edison that will sell to individuals. 

I get KA Special 50# bags there.  Last bag I bought cost $18.68.  They sell most of the regular (non-organic) KA flours but you have to look on the professional part of the KA site to get the flour names (e.g. Special Patent is the same as what KA sells as Bread Flour in grocery stores).  They also sell flour from GM, ConAgra Mills, and a few from Cook Natural Foods, which I think are organic. 

You call them at (732) 287-1111 a couple of hours before you want to pick up.  Hours are 9 - 3.  I believe you also have to pay cash.  It's really a fabulous deal!

-- Barbara

scottsourdough's picture
scottsourdough

50 pounds of any KA for $18 really is an amazing deal! Thanks for the info. Can I just call the number and ask what they have or is there a product list somewhere?

bmoo's picture
bmoo

I never found a product list anywhere online.  I got a printed one the last time I was there.  It lists only products not prices.  There's about 2 pages of flours listed, so too much for me to type in! 

When I called I knew which flour I was looking for.  I think it'd be better to call with a particular choice in mind.  Afterall, they're really a wholesale operation and not set up to do retail product support.  That's why it's so cheap!

Is there a particular flour you're looking for?  I could check the product list to see if it's listed.

scottsourdough's picture
scottsourdough

For now the KA Bread flour (Special Patent) is probably best for me since that's what I'm used to. I would also look into one with less protein (I see KA sells an 11.7% protein flour called Sir Galahad commercially) and a whole wheat. When I get there I'll look at the list for myself though. Thanks again for the help!

The Roadside Pie King's picture
The Roadside Pi...

I also was searching for a bulk suppler of flour. I found a place in Queens called Valenti Yeast, After I saw your post I checked out the Dawn foods web site and found that Valenti is a dawn foods distributor. I am hoping they to will sell retail to me. I would want the equivalent of K.A. bread flour & all purpose. Could you help me with what to ask for. Since they are really a wholesaler I want to be as little trouble as possible if they are willing to sell to me. Thanks

Will

sicilianbaker's picture
sicilianbaker

Sir Galahad is KA All Purpose Flour or the red bag. the blue bread bag which goes for retail is KA Special which is bread flour.