I found this question and answer post very helpful
I have an additional question about fennel - is it possible that the kind I bought at my local HFS is stale? The reason I am wondering is that before buying it in bulk there, I bought it at the grocery store in the spice aisle. The stuff from the grocery store tasted so much better. The fennel I bought at the HFS is sold in bulk, so I am wondering if maybe it's been sitting around?