One of the main reasons people do not buy in large quantities when a product -- like apples -- is in season or at a great price is the fear of not using it up and, so, having to throw food out. I am constantly surprised by how few people freeze what they buy in bulk. True, some foods freeze terribly. Soy milk comes to mind but regular milk freezes and defrosts well, even if it is in a carton rather than a jug In Canada, milk is most often packaged in 4 litre consisting of 3 soft plastic bags that fit individualy into a reusable hard plastic jug you take from the fridge to the table. I buy a few when they are on sale or when I have a good coupon.

Most vegetables are a cinch to freeze, including the 20 lbs of carrots I blanched, divided into ziplock bags (rinse to re-use) and froze a few weeks ago so that we will have carrots throughout the winter. Vegetables that do not freeze well, like onions, are usually great for dehydraters; I have several jars full of dried onions on my shelf right now. You don't have to know about canning or anything arcane. Just blanch and freeze; slice and dehydrate. It doesn't take much time; in fact, you can look at the process as saving the time you would spend on buying vegetables fresh or frozen in small increments as you need them.