What Are the Best Bulk Snacks for Work?

What are bulk office snacks?

You 100% already know this, but let's just define it so we're all on the same page! Bulk office snacks are typically unpackaged products served from dispensers or bins. No wrappers, no individual bags—just easy-access snacks you can scoop or pour. They’re budget-friendly, eco-friendly and make it easy to snack without the fuss.

What type of office kitchen equipment and supplies do you need for bulk snacks?

Wondering what you need to keep your bulk snack game strong at the office? Eloise has got you covered with the must-have pantry equipment list to keep your office running smoothly and looking sharp:

• Gravity Bin Dispenser: This is a top pick from our team if you have the space. Gravity bins can be wall-mounted or set on the counter, each with multiple canisters to load up with different snacks. They are perfect for clean, easy dispensing while limiting contact so snacks stay fresh and sanitary. Plus, they make it easy to ensure a first-in, first-out rotation so nothing sits too long.
• Airtight Containers: Similar to what you’d use in a home pantry, these containers are a space saver for storing snacks on shelves. This allows your team to see everything with ease and the scoop keeps things sanitary. Just remember that when restocking these, you'll want to pull all the products out and restock from the bottom. 
• Bowls and Cups: Nearby serving bowls or cups let everyone grab a snack-sized portion without making a mess. Small cups work great for nuts and dried fruit, while larger bowls are ideal for cereals and granolas.
• Cleaning Supplies: Keeping it clean is key, especially with lots of people using it all day. Have wipes or other cleaning supplies nearby to make tidying easy—Crafty prioritizes low-mess products, but a little extra cleanup goes a long way in keeping things looking fresh!

What are good office snacks to offer in bulk?

Don't know where to start? Eloise shared her bulk favorites that are sure to be a hit:

• Cereal: A breakfast classic that works any time of day, offering both crunch and comfort.
• Granola: Perfect for a quick snack or topping for yogurt—versatile and satisfying.
• Oatmeal: Warm, hearty, and filling, oatmeal is an easy win for both health and taste.
• Nuts: A go-to for a protein-packed snack that keeps hunger at bay.
• Trail Mix: Sweet, salty and packed with energy—ideal for the office’s mid-afternoon slump.
• Dried Fruit: A chewy, natural sweetness that’s light on calories and good for any time of day. 
• Candy: A little indulgence goes a long way to lift spirits during busy days.
• Other Dried Snacks: From veggie chips to wasabi bites, these days you can't get about anything in bulk.

What would be your advice to someone offering bulk snacks?

Eloise has seen it all when it comes to setting up successful office pantries, and she shared a few key tips that can go a long way:

• Include a mix of categories like breakfast items, salty snacks, nuts/trail mixes and sweets.
• Look at your consumption data so you can see where the opportunity is. You don't need to reinvent the wheel here. If individually wrapped almonds are already popular, then swap that out for the bulk option. 
• Offer a variety of options so no single dispenser has a crowd. For example, if you're looking to use your gravity bin for cereal, offer a couple of different types so you don't get a huge line. 

How are bulk snacks more sustainable?

Going bulk isn’t just about keeping the snack shelf stocked—it’s a serious win for the planet, especially when it comes to reducing packaging waste. Here’s the scoop from Science Direct:

• Packaging Emissions: Packaging alone can account for 11–31% of the total emissions tied to the food cycle. Each individually wrapped snack adds up to a considerable environmental impact, from production to disposal.
• Reducing Waste: Switching to bulk means fewer single-use wrappers, bags and containers, cutting down the packaging that eventually ends up in landfills. Even if it is recyclable, recycling also takes resources so bulk takes that out completely. 
• Resource Savings: By lowering the demand for single-use packaging, we conserve resources like water and energy that are heavily used in the manufacturing process.

What's the difference between Crafty and Costco? 

For those workplace teams currently doing everything manually, here's the breakdown to help you decide if you want to make the switch. This is our blog so we're biased. However, we want you to make the best choice for you.

So, let's lay it all out there: 

• Costco: Costco is a retailer that offers bulk products at great prices. We can't deny that, but that is where it ends. Costco is not going to do the service part of the job such as placing regular orders, delivering them exactly where you need them, restocking and merchandising your shelves, managing your inventory, tracking your budget and the list goes on! As you do it across locations, billing can be a nightmare and as a simple shopper, you can't guarantee Costco is going to keep your beloved products in stock. 
• Crafty: We are a full-service office pantry provider. This means you don't just buy products from us, we service your workplace pantry. Crafty will regularly place your orders, deliver them to the right place, restock and merchandise your shelves, manage your inventory, track your budget and manage your onsite pantry operations all while giving you complete visibility into all of it through the Crafty Platform. You are getting the products, but also the team and the technology to build an efficient, cohesive pantry across your company tailored to your needs. 

If all you need is a place to buy products, then Costco is your store, but if you're looking for something more, then you may want Crafty to enter the chat! 

Conclusion

Bulk snacks aren’t just a budget win—they’re a greener, cleaner option that adds a little extra joy to the workday. With the right setup and the right partner 😉, your team can enjoy an office snack station that keeps everyone coming back for more. 

Big shout out to our expert Eloise for sharing the secret to creating the best bulk snack setup!