Small habit. Big impact. Surprisingly joyful.
There’s a moment in the bulk aisle that never gets old—
the quiet scoop of oats into a jar, the soft rattle of lentils, the glow of golden honey finding its way home.
At Hummingbird, this isn’t just a way to shop. It’s a way to participate in a better food system—one that values people, planet, and the simple beauty of doing things well.
Why bring your own container?
Less waste. More intention.
Every time you fill your own jar, you’re choosing reuse over single-use. It’s one small decision that adds up—across households, across communities, across years.
And here in Oregon, Washington and California, that choice is supported. State laws now explicitly allow grocery stores to accept customer-provided containers for bulk foods, making reuse not just possible, but encouraged.
Buy what you need (and nothing you don’t)
Bulk lets you shop with precision:
- A cup of organic pinto beans for tonight’s dinner
- A pound of quinoa to try something new
- Just enough cashews to fill your jar and get you through the week
No excess. No waste. No forgotten bags in the back of the pantry.
Feel more connected to your food
Bulk shopping invites you to slow down. To notice. To engage.
You see the color of the grains. You feel the texture of the beans. You choose your ingredients with care. It’s closer to how food used to be—simple, direct, and human.
And yes… it’s fun
There’s a quiet satisfaction in building a pantry filled with beautiful jars—each one holding something nourishing, each one telling a story of where it came from.
Is this allowed? (Short answer: yes)
The Pacific Northwest has taken meaningful steps to support reuse systems in grocery stores:
- State law allows retailers to accept clean, customer-provided containers for bulk foods
- The focus is on making reuse easy, safe, and accessible
You may notice small variations store to store, but the direction is clear: bring your own is welcome here.
How it works
If you’ve never done it, it’s easier than you think:
1. Start with clean containers
Glass jars, tins, or reusable bags all work well.
2. Weigh first (“tare”)
Weigh your empty container and write the weight on the lid or sticker so the cashier zeros the scale when weighing your ingredients so you only pay for what you fill.
3. Fill up & label
Scoop, spoon, pour, or dispense... Add the PLU number to the sticker or lid.
4. Check out
The cashier will handle the rest at the register.
That’s it. No extra steps—just a better way to shop.
Find the right containers
A few favorites from our own kitchens:
Canning glass jars
Timeless, non-reactive, and easy to clean, easy to find lids. Perfect for everything from grains to honey.
- 16 oz (pint) wide-mouth Ball jar w/ lid and band weighs ~.71 lbs
- 32oz (quart) wide-mouth Ball jar w/ lid and band weighs ~1.0 lb
- 64 oz (half gal) wide-mouth Ball jar w/ lid and band weighs ~1.74 lbs.
Wide-mouth jars
A small detail that makes a big difference when scooping. Even still, you may want to bring a funnel, or they may have one there. The wide-mouth fits under most gravity bin dispensers.
Cloth bulk bags
Lightweight and flexible—great for beans, nuts, and seeds.
Stainless steel containers
Durable and travel-friendly for life on the go, perfect for snacks, trail mixes, etc.
Tips from our team:
Keep a “bulk kit” in your car or by the door so you’re always ready. Also great for left-overs when dining out. Keep tape and a marker ready in your kit. Include reusable totes and reusable produce bags.
If your pantry uses these jars, and they're labeled, then just taking the cleaned empty jar from your pantry works well - that way you remember what you need, and you don't get too much.
Be sure any jar with old labels have their bar codes are removed or blacked out.
Why this matters
Bringing your own container might feel like a small act—but it ripples outward.
It reduces packaging at the source.
It supports stores committed to lower-waste systems.
It helps shift the food economy toward something more regenerative.
At Hummingbird, we’ve seen firsthand how these small choices add up—through our partnerships with farmers, our focus on bulk, and our commitment to reuse.
A different kind of convenience
Convenience doesn’t have to mean disposable.
It can look like a jar you’ve used a hundred times.
A pantry filled with foods you truly love.
A shopping experience that feels good from start to finish.
Bring a container next time you visit the bulk aisle.
You might be surprised how quickly it becomes your new normal.
—and how good it feels along the way.