| Bulk Barn Foods Limited | |
| Industry: | Bulk Foods Store |
| Founded: | September 1982 |
| Founder: | Carl O'Field |
| Hq Location: | 320 Don Hillock Drive |
| Hq Location City: | Aurora, Ontario |
| Hq Location Country: | Canada |
| Area Served: | Canada |
Bulk Barn Foods Limited (Bulk Barn) is Canada's largest bulk foods store. Founded in September 1982[1] by Carl Ofield.[2] The store sells common to somewhat specialty foods, such as those that are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and other common dietary restrictions.
Bulk Barn cannot be considered zero waste due to its heavy use of plastic in both prepackaged and bulk items, however, the store encourages customers to use its Reusable Container Program to reduce waste.[3]
Bulk Barn Foods Limited was founded by Carl Ofield in September 1982. In its early years, Bulk Barn's stores were in malls. The photo below shows a Bulk Barn storefront in Fairview Mall from 1984.
Bulk Barn underwent a rebranding in 1990, with a new logo, and a transition from mall locations to strip malls.
In partnership with Leo Burnett Design, Bulk Barn was modernized with a new bold logo, colours, store front, and in-store signage.
Although Bulk Barn is not a zero-waste store, they have been moving towards more sustainable shopping methods. In February 2017, Bulk Barn introduced their Reusable Container Program; where customers could bring their own reusable containers from home, instead of using a disposable plastic bag. The program was paused over the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictions, but was reintroduced across the chain in collaboration with local health units.
Bulk Barn regularly has in store sales, coupons, and savings for students and seniors. Students and seniors save 15% every Wednesday at any Bulk Barn location.
Bulk Barn participated in fundraising for the Alzheimer Society of Canada, raising $275,201 (CAD) in 2012 as a part of their Coffee Break fundraising campaign.
Bulk Barn stores raised a collective total $1,305,925 (CAD) from 2004 to 2012 .[4]