Anyone know where to buy large amounts of food ingredients for 165 people?

[rcx132]

I get regularly asked by my old scout troop to be their field cook on camp. But this time there's 165 participants and not the usual 30.

Typical supermarket might not have enough stock and it's been heard of supermarkets disallowing buying such quantities as it empties their shelves and other customers can't get what they need.

We have CostCo membership so that's fine for a lot of the dry food and cans and things. It's more the bread, meats and fresh stuff.

So if anyone has done this before or maybe worked in a restaurant and knows?

 

[Hood]

Butcher, baker and greengrocer, just order in advance and they will get you sorted and likely at a discounted price because of the bulk.

 

[armalites]

Costco have a massive stock of fresh produce, I'm pretty sure if you had a word with them and told them what you were doing they would be able to make sure they had everything you need. If you have a trade membership they will even prepare the order before you get there.

If you live in a smaller town where parking is easy etc then using a local supplier would be good but the quality of everything in Costco is very good especially their meats and it's all in one place.

Other option is somewhere like Booker.

 

[julianf]

Booker, costco etc are where trade buys.

My folks go to Costco - they're always coming back with fresh stuff, so I'm confused at your question - I guess there must be significant variation between locations?

 

[rikrobson]

you could speak to Brakes. They might be able to help. if not bookers or your local cash and carry.

you'll need to go armed with a list, so you'll need to plan out what you are going to cook.

 

[armalites]

I've been to 7 different Costco locations in this country and there are regional variations but they all stock the standard fresh produce and the quality is always very good. The issue we have is the quality is almost too good for some things for example avocados come in a pack of 6, they are always bigger than the ones you get in the supermarkets and they are so closely matched they are all ready at the same time so you can end up not using 1-2.

Talking of Scout camp, things like finger rolls/hot dog rolls(not the usual tiny things you get in Tesco)/baps and really good in Costco.

 

[R-D-R]

Costco for meat, we did a 200+ gathering and they did us a great deal on a mass of meat. Filled the disco with drink, baps, nibbles and the trailer with meat and more booze not sure if its different at each but the joints are good from our Sheffield outlet. We did pre order i wouldn't advise just rocking up for a massive order.

 

[gaz_moose]

order it through Tesco's / Morrison's (etc) website and have it delivered to you. that way it will come from the main distribution warehouse where they have massive quantities and not just your local store.

 

[fizzy]

I have always found that the big cash and carries are no cheaper than the supermarkets really.

Asda are the best for meat and pizzas
Tesco best for bread and fruit/veg
Sainsbury for ready meals

I tend to shop late at night in Tesco and I have often seen Chinese and other Asians buying perhaps 4 or 5 trollies full at a time. Nobody ever tried to stop them so you should be fine.

 

[TomCGB]

makro or booker. They don't allow entry without a membership card. The card can only be issued to a company/sole trader, however in their eyes, charities also count as companies. Our scout group has several makro cards, which are issued to the leaders on an as needed basis.

 

[normspanners]

I have always found that the big cash and carries are no cheaper than the supermarkets really.

I agree, I at one time could buy cooking oil from asda cheaper in bulk, than macro just had to order it, speak with customer services and they will increase their standard order by your amount !!
pretty sure aldi will too if you speak with the manager.

 

[andymfell]

I know a company that has been purchasing 250g blocks of butter by the 750Kg pallet load from Aldi because it saved roughly £3000 per pallet load over their usual supplier that was selling it in 25Kg boxes . It's all pre arranged with the store manager, turn up on a Wednesday night with a van and a large envelope of cash as it's easier to put that amount through the till as cash than a card payment that needs authorising

so deals can be struck with the managers of outlets for large quantities of produce

 

[rcx132]

Thanks for all the tips.

Yeah I heard that supermarkets can sort you out if you call them, will try that next time as run out of time now.

I've gone with Booker because Makros and CostCo don't sell everything whereas Booker do. Booker also deliver and can order online.

Fruit is being sorted via local Fruiterer, as stores are expensive.

Has worked out £5.24 per person per day for three proper meals (fried breakfast then spag bol, chilli, stew, those kind of meals for lunch & dinner plus deserts and snacks). And that was buying half decent ingredients.

 

[Shedendman]

Has worked out £5.24 per person per day for three proper meals (fried breakfast then spag bol, chilli, stew, those kind of meals for lunch & dinner plus deserts and snacks). And that was buying half decent ingredients.

Dont forget the grass munchers

 

[fizzy]

Thanks for all the tips.

Yeah I heard that supermarkets can sort you out if you call them, will try that next time as run out of time now.

I've gone with Booker because Makros and CostCo don't sell everything whereas Booker do. Booker also deliver and can order online.

Fruit is being sorted via local Fruiterer, as stores are expensive.

Has worked out £5.24 per person per day for three proper meals (fried breakfast then spag bol, chilli, stew, those kind of meals for lunch & dinner plus deserts and snacks). And that was buying half decent ingredients.

You are spoiling them - a bowl of porridge a day is more than enough!