Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all of the suggestions. Now I've got lots of great online bean resources (zursunbeans.com and homegrownharvest.com) that I can use when I do a little advance planning.

After fruitless searches at a couple of local grocery stores, dry goods stores and natural food stores, I ended up finding one solitary bag left at my local Gristede's. Melissa Clark's Herbed White Bean and Sausage Stew (http://tinyurl.com/22u9zf9) may account for the run on Great Northern beans in Brooklyn!

Thanks again!

try also fairway, zabar's, and even the key foods right near sahadi's might have them. and i think the park slope food coop has them, though you'd have to be a member to get them (or have a member-friend willing to pick them up for you).

Hi Bemie, I work as an artisanal food consultant for Zursun Idaho Heirloom Beans. They have an amazing selection of heirloom beans and lentils and fresh pantry beans like Great Northern. Visit to their website at: zursunbeans.com
They would be ideal products for Food52 shop!

I have found them in bulk at Winco.

I've yet to see a Kroger or a Wal-Mart (if you can stand to walk into the latter) that didn't carry them.

Is there an A&P near you?? Goya brand usually has dried Great Northern beans there. Probably Whole Foods, too. Check the dried bean aisle in any supermarket.

Cannellini are pretty close. I like small white beans, or Navy beans, too. They're cuter.

Try homegrownharvest.com - I'm pretty certain they would have them.