Corn on the cob - where can I get it in bulk?

I know it is too early for corn on the cob, but is there a possibility of getting a bunch of it, like 12 dozen (144 ears) before the second weekend of June? Please advise.

Or if you could recommend something else. I would like the corn to accompany Wisconsin brats on fresh buns and potato salad for approximately 200 people.

Thank you for any ideas!

Costco has eight packs in considerable quantity, so that's one option, but I have to think there's a vegetable supply place on Randolph, or something.

Hi,

I have seen corn on the cob in the stores, though it is rather pricey. You will want a wholesaler, you might try phoning these vegetable wholesalers. Before I'd call I'd learn the Costco price and get a quote from a place like Stanley's on Elston, so you will have a sense of retail price. You want a better than retail and this information will help.

Now if your event was in August, then there are plenty of farmers happy to sell to you directly. I paid last year somewhere around $12 for 5 dozen ears freshly picked a few hours before.

Good luck!

Costco was selling it just a couple of cents below Whole Foods' 50 cents per. Surely you can beat that.

I have purchased cases(big basket) of corn in season from Stanleys in the past. I dont know how many ears there were but I paid $10, and had leftovers after feeding 80 people.

Stanleys Fruit Market
Elston and North Avenue

Mary60614,


First, when and where is the party???

Second, the last thing you want is a food wholesaler, unless you want a whole pallet of corn and have a tax number these folks won't have anything to do with you.

I would check with any produce market, they will make a deal on a whole crate of corn. Usually sold by volume rather than numbers until it reaches the retail broker. Stanley's, Edgewater Produce, and about a gazillion others.

One other though...often this time of year the overstock produce sellers are at Maxwell Street. Last year I paid $5 for a crate of corn. I had to throw about 5-10 ears away due to mold (not the good kind); which turned out to be a good price. Can't recall approximate number in the case...but most produce guys probably can come pretty close. You don't hand corn a thousand times a week without getting to know a few ears personally.

Best of luck.

pd

Second, the last thing you want is a food wholesaler, unless you want a whole pallet of corn and have a tax number these folks won't have anything to do with you.

This is true, however they will sometimes make a deal for cash on the spot. I guess then it is not so much a phone conversation but one face-to-face. In any case, this is where I would begin.

I know a family whose Christmas eve ritual was an all seafood dinner. They would visit the wholesalers the day of, or maybe the day before, with a wad of cash and obtained everything they needed.

pd's idea of going to Maxwell St is pretty good as well.

Fortunately, you live in a transportation crossroads of the country. So everything is possible for a price.

Regards,

pdaane wrote: First, when and where is the party???

Peter,

Excellent question!

Couple of years ago, late in the corn season, we were driving back to Chicago from Indiana and stopped at a farm stand. Just as a frame of reference, I have a tendency to get carried away on occasion, and this was one of those occasions. I bought a gross (144) of corn for $12. This is a lot of corn!

That reminds me of the time we were staying with friends in Houston and I went early morning to the grocery (Fiesta) for a breakfast item or three and came home with a 40-lb sack of live crawfish.

No concrete suggestions as to where to pick up 200-ears of corn, though I agree with Peter, check the Sunday Maxwell Street Market and/or produce markets and ask for a bulk price.

Speaking of corn, I got a few ears of very nice early season corn free yesterday at Dirk's Fish. Well, actually not free, included after I spent a small fortune on seafood.


Enjoy,
Gary

Cathy2,

I think going the wholesaler route with seafood is a great idea. However, corn is a different matter. There is not much mark up in corn and the trouble of breaking out a crate or two for a wholesaler may make the game not worth the candle.

If Mary60614 is on good terms with wholesaler fine (but then they would not have asked the question)...otherwise I would ask at one of the larger volume produce markets to cut a deal.

If Mary60614 does want to go the wholesaler route, it may be worth a few minutes to drive around South Water and see if any dealer also sells retail or stop and ask someone who is receiving a load of corn.

pd

BTW,

If the party is on or about June 11, pick up two crates. I plan to roast corn for the Veggie tennants to coincide with Andersonville's Midsommer Festival.

mary60614 wrote:I know it is too early for corn on the cob, but is there a possibility of getting a bunch of it, like 12 dozen (144 ears) before the second weekend of June? Please advise.

Mary,

I was at Lincolnwood Produce today and, as I was checking out, asked Bill, the manager, as to the availability of corn in bulk. The current price is $12 per case, which contains 48-ears of corn. Bill said that the price may vary, but, as this is the start of the season, it will be less expensive as the season goes on.

Bill said they usually have cases in stock, but suggests calling a day or two in advance just to be sure. Ask for either Bill or John the produce manager.

As has been said in the thread, I'm guessing most any medium to large produce store, for example Market Place on Oakton, will sell cases of corn at a sizable discount.

As an aside, since I did not make it to Berger Brothers for lump charcoal, I picked up a 20-bag of Royal Oak lump charcoal for $12.95.

Enjoy,
Gary

Lincolnwood Produce
7475 N Lincoln Ave
Lincolnwood, IL.
847-329-0600

MarketPlace on Oakton
4817 W Oakton
Skokie, IL 60077
847-677-9330

Berger Brother's Charcoal
1176 N Cherry Ave
Chicago, IL 6062
312-642-4238
Lump Charcoal

Jewel has corn on sale thru the end of the month at 6/$1.

Just want to chime in with another reccomendation for Stanleys. I've bought tons of produce there by the case and they always give a great price. Go to the back corner by the warehouse part and ask one of the employees, they'll write it up, you pay up front and they load it in your car out back.

I just called Stanley's he said right now corn is 5 for a dollar. One case is 48 ears. Just call two hours in advance. However, he doesn't know how much corn will be in two weeks.

Okay, so I will buy my corn from Stanleys. When do you think I should make the purchase? If the event is on Saturday, should I pick it up on Friday, or is Thursday too early?

I would try Lincolnwood if it were closer -- Stanley's is a much better location.

Hi,

Personally, I would buy the corn as close to the event as possible. Where Stanley has a walk-in refrigerator to keep it cool, I suspect you don't.

Regards,

My neighbor has a few empty refrigerators. He just is finishing his kitchen. I will see if there is a little real estate for corn!!!! So, if I can keep the ears refrigerated, Thursday should be fine, wouldn't you think? or maybe not so fresh?

Hi,

If you have refrigerator space, then get them on Thursday.

The advantage of refrigerating them is retarding the sugar becoming starch.

Regards,

Of course, if you call Stanley's and find out they get their corn deliveries on, say, Tuesdays and Fridays, you may want to pick them up on Friday

Stanley's Corn is 3 for $ 1.19 this week. I called and spoke to a woman who said it would be that price on Saturday, as well. That means a case of 48 ears is $19.04. I called Lincolnwood Produce. The man I spoke with said the price changes everyday, and they get shipments almost everyday, but he cannot quote prices over the phone. Does anyone know what the ballpark price of a case of corn at Lincolnwood Produce is this week? It is a hike for me to drive up there -- I'll go for the right price. I'll probably go on Thursday or Friday. Thanks!!!