This weekend at Costco:
25 pound sack of AP flour: $6.59
25 pound sack of enriched white rice: $8.99 IIRC.
If you have any Indo/Pak stores in your area I'd highly recommend you stop by and take a gander at what bulk lentils cost there. I think you'll find they're about half the price they are at regular grocery stores.
The lentil is the most nutritious of the legume family. Dry they keep essentially forever with very little loss of food value at all. They also come in a wide variety of flavors and colors.
Don't over look those ethnic stores for bulk stuff. I've found 25 pound sacks of Basmati rice at Asian markest for around 12 bucks. Elephant brand comes in a nice burlap sack that has it's own uses, and it's quite tasty as well.
So walk right into that Pak/Indo store and look around. Hit the Asian market, especially the ones that cater to Viet Namese and Thai clientele. While you're there be sure to pick up some of the hot sauces and dried chilis. They're a nice addition Tobasco and Cholula.
Those lovely orange lentils will be a very nice change of pace from the pintos and black turtles after a while.
Just a suggestion, strictly my opinion, YMMV, etc.
Agree on that Elephant brand Basmati rice. Very tasty. We also look for bulk Jasmine rice at Costco. When they have it - which is less frequently these days, - it’s about $12 for a 25 pound sack.
There area couple of Indo/Pak stores in Spokane that we hit when we’ve got the wherewithall. Don’t recall the brand, but there’s a fried chili paste that is super delicious and highly recommended. Got a nice, smoky layer to it that can’t be beat. I’ll dig up the brand name when I get chance. We also put in a couple each of whatever Patak’s brand condiments, curries and masalas they might have. Usually about $2.50 / $3 per jar. Love dat lime pickle.
Lentils. Yes.