Hi Mike,
It is most definitely not a novelty.
If you live in a state that grows wheat, (like Colorado), you can buy
it in bulk directly from the grain elevators. I bought several
hundred pounds of hard red winter wheat for something like 75 dollars.
If you can't find a grain elevator nearby, contact a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (the Mormons). Latter
Day Saints believe in being as self-sufficient as possible and often
have access to sources for bulk items such as wheat. Here in
Colorado, the church has a dry-pack cannery where you can buy bulk
rice, beans, wheat and other commodities. Non-members are almost
always welcome to participate. The cannery even has #10 cans, lids or
mylar bags at a nominal cost or you can bring your own buckets, (I
get mine from the bakery department of the supermarket for free).
Wheat can be safely stored for years with no discernible loss of quality.
Cheers,
Mick