The Bulk is Green Council (BIG) has kicked off retailer recruitment for its fourth annual National Bulk Foods Week, scheduled this year to occur October 12-18 at grocery stores and co-ops across the nation. BIG, a non-profit organization made up of five industry leaders -- Attune Foods, Frontier Natural Products Co-op, Lundberg Family Farms, SunRidge Farms and Trade Fixtures -- is dedicated to increasing consumer and retailer awareness of the many environmental and economic benefits of buying bulk foods. National Bulk Foods Week represents the organization's highest-profile initiative, and last year more than 1,200 retailers took part.

"National Bulk Foods Week is a great way to draw consumers into the bulk aisles and to excite them about all the benefits associated with shopping there," said Brett Karminski, senior brand manager at Frontier Natural Products Co-op, a founding BIG member. "The more retailers that take part, the more consumers experience the benefits of shopping in bulk, during the week and all-year long."

For National Bulk Foods Week, the members of BIG offer special discounts on foods from the bulk bins to entice new shoppers into the bulk foods aisle. BIG also provides participating retailers with POS signage to post in bulk sections, along with other fun promotional materials to promote bulk foods to shoppers during the commemorative week.

In addition, participating stores will be listed on the BIG website and promoted through PR efforts. They also will be entered in the running for BIG's fourth annual industry recognition, the 2014 Bulk Foods Retailer of the Year. Last year's winner from more than 1,200 participating retailers across the country was the Fresh Market Store #105 located in Miami, Florida, and on the store's behalf, BIG made a donation to the store's charity of choice.

Retailers interested in signing up to participate in National Bulk Foods Week 2014 can do so at BulkisGreen.org. Additional information about BIG and National Bulk Foods Week also can be found at the website.