You can get lots of stuff at Fred Meyer. The one on Muldoon in Anchorage does most of the bush orders, and have been pretty accomodating. You can get organic things, as well. We mostly get grains there ---- organic oats, corn (or corn meal), rye, and wheat. Last time we ordered with them, they give a 10% discount if you buy in bulk (whole bags of say 25 or 50 pounds). If you call them to get the order pulled and delivered for you, they charge 10% plus $10 delivery. For us, it's worth it not to have to fly into town to do the shoppig.
We used to order direct from Bob's Red Mill. Very good prices, especially if you buy in bulk. But, now the shipping makes the prices way higher than you pay in Anchorage.
We get lots of stuff from Linford of Alaska. They're a baker supply company in Anchorage ---- 1-800-355-8905 or 1-907-272-5050. They have a web site, but can't remember it. Just type in Linford of Alaska and you should find it. They have the best price I've found for butter. I get the 36 pound boxes of "butter prints", which are 1 pound each (not the quarters like you usually find in the stores). YOu can get it in the quarters, but costs more. They also carry grains, spices, meats, cheeses, and just about anything else you can think of. Molasses, honey, syrup, powdered milk, lard, oils, all different kinds of cocoa, etc. I don't usually buy canned veggies and fruit, but I would think they carry them.
We just got 2 more boxes of butter. In the summer, we had been pretty much doing without, but a few years ago I learned about canning butter and cheese. VERY easy to do. Never tried dehydrated butter or butter powder, but canned cheese is sooooooo much better than the powdered stuff. I'm in Anchorage now, and can't remember exactly how I do it, but I'll post it when I get home. When I did my butter, I didn't know about shaking it while it cools, so mine separated. Learned that tip on Pipedream's site.
On the cheese, I just got a bunch (not organic, unfortunately) from Costco. Will can it when I get home. Again, can't remember exactly how I've done it in the past, but I think I just melted the cheese, then poured it into sterilized canning jars, then put on the sterilized lids, screwed the bands on. I did a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, I think. Maybe only 10 since the jars are sterilized. I'll have to look up my recipe. Anyway, keeps a long time ---- no mold. I've seen lots of recipes (all exactly the same) floating around the internet for canning cheese using Velveeta (sp) cheese. It calls for using canned milk and some other things. I'll experiment with powdered milk. I've read that it makes a delicious cheese sauce, really good in Mexican dishes.
I have a terrible memory, so, once again, if anyone is interested, PLEASE start a thread and ask me, or pm me to remind me. I'll be glad to give out "my"
recipes for canning butter and cheese. Oh! just remembered. Going to try canning bacon, too. We used to buy canned bacon all the time at Costco, but haven't seen it anyplace in years.
Sorry, I know this is all off topic. But since you mentioned canned butter and cheese, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth. Boiling water bath is so easy and quick, I've done it on a camp stove. Beats the dehydrated stuff, IMO. But, the dehydrated is lighter in weight.
There is another baker supply place listed in the yellow pages in Anchorage, but never tried them. Couldn't find a web site. M & M Distributors 1-907-349-5941.
I just thought of another place. Prices aren't the greatest, but, cheaper than flying to town. We know some folks who buy all the time from Frontier Expeditors 1-800-770-5876 or 1-907-563-1836. I think they'll only sell to individuals if you live in the bush where there's no grocery store.
I recently checked some of the internet places for ordering in bulk. Found some great prices, but shipping is a killer now. Wash, would you mind sharing some of your internet sources. I checked Walton Feed, Internet Grocer, another bulk food place.
Oh, the place for powdered eggs is Honeyville farms. I think that's the name. Best prices I could find. Shipping in the lower 48 is only about $4 or $5 for any size order, but outragious to Alaska. If you think you'll want powdered eggs, get them and bring them with you. We don't fix them into scrambled eggs much. Mostly just use in baking, so we go through about 10 pounds a year for a family of 5. If you've never used powdered eggs before, that will just give you a rough idea of how much to start with.
OK, if anybody has other places they shop, I'd love to know about it, too.
Jenny
of all places kind of cater to Bush people...But do they carry large cans of dehydrated food, like fruit, butter, cheese. I cannot live with out my cheese and butter...Until I can get my goats and start making these things I will have to rely on what I carry in...If not walmart, anywhere else? ...somewhere in the Anchorage area. Thanks so much Cynthia and Robert
of all places kind of cater to Bush people...But do they carry large cans of dehydrated food, like fruit, butter, cheese. I cannot live with out my cheese and butter...Until I can get my goats and start making these things I will have to rely on what I carry in...If not walmart, anywhere else? ...somewhere in the Anchorage area. Thanks so much Cynthia and Robert
recipes for canning butter and cheese. Oh! just remembered. Going to try canning bacon, too. We used to buy canned bacon all the time at Costco, but haven't seen it anyplace in years. 