A bulk material dispenser operable to dispense a selected amount of loose material comprising: an exterior housing defining a receptacle location suitable for the placement of a receptacle into which the loose material is to be dispensed, wherein said exterior housing includes an outlet opening positioned above said receptacle location: a sealed housing for storing said loose material; a user interface (81; 85) mounted to said exterior housing; an electronic controller for receiving a user selection identifying a desired amount of loose material to be dispensed via said user interface (81; 85); and a measuring mechanism positioned below said sealed housing and above said outlet opening, comprising: a bin mounted to a scale so as to provide the weight of the material currently contained therein to said electronic controller, and upon activation by said electronic controller, release the material contained therein through said outlet opening; a material chute, having an inlet in sealed fluid communication with the interior of said sealed housing and an outlet positioned so as to dispense material into said bin; a rotatable screw powered by a motor connected to said electronic controller, wherein said rotatable screw is located within said material chute so as to provide controllable dispensing of the material into said bin; and characterized by a sealing cap adapted to mechanically seal the outlet of said material chute when said rotatable screw is not in operation. an exterior housing defining a receptacle location suitable for the placement of a receptacle into which the loose material is to be dispensed, wherein said exterior housing includes an outlet opening positioned above said receptacle location: a sealed housing for storing said loose material; a user interface (81; 85) mounted to said exterior housing; an electronic controller for receiving a user selection identifying a desired amount of loose material to be dispensed via said user interface (81; 85); and a measuring mechanism positioned below said sealed housing and above said outlet opening, comprising: a bin mounted to a scale so as to provide the weight of the material currently contained therein to said electronic controller, and upon activation by said electronic controller, release the material contained therein through said outlet opening; a material chute, having an inlet in sealed fluid communication with the interior of said sealed housing and an outlet positioned so as to dispense material into said bin; a rotatable screw powered by a motor connected to said electronic controller, wherein said rotatable screw is located within said material chute so as to provide controllable dispensing of the material into said bin; and a sealed housing for storing said loose material; a user interface (81; 85) mounted to said exterior housing; an electronic controller for receiving a user selection identifying a desired amount of loose material to be dispensed via said user interface (81; 85); and a measuring mechanism positioned below said sealed housing and above said outlet opening, comprising: a bin mounted to a scale so as to provide the weight of the material currently contained therein to said electronic controller, and upon activation by said electronic controller, release the material contained therein through said outlet opening; a material chute, having an inlet in sealed fluid communication with the interior of said sealed housing and an outlet positioned so as to dispense material into said bin; a rotatable screw powered by a motor connected to said electronic controller, wherein said rotatable screw is located within said material chute so as to provide controllable dispensing of the material into said bin; and a bin mounted to a scale so as to provide the weight of the material currently contained therein to said electronic controller, and upon activation by said electronic controller, release the material contained therein through said outlet opening; a material chute, having an inlet in sealed fluid communication with the interior of said sealed housing and an outlet positioned so as to dispense material into said bin; a rotatable screw powered by a motor connected to said electronic controller, wherein said rotatable screw is located within said material chute so as to provide controllable dispensing of the material into said bin; and characterized by a sealing cap adapted to mechanically seal the outlet of said material chute when said rotatable screw is not in operation.