How can I carry my arugula without a plastic bag?

February 23, 2008 1:11 PM

Farmer's market and co-op conundrum: what can I use to carry my veggies instead of plastic bags?

I have my nice burlap shopping bags, but I can't just shove a bunch of cilantro unprotected next to my eggs. I usually end up putting them in a plastic bag instead my shopping bag. It's useful because they are easy for the farmer/clerk to weigh and when I get home I can just put that bag in the fridge. But honestly, I'd like to phase them out. I'd lug my tupperware to the store...but I shop by bike. Is there a good portable alternative for carrying and storing delicate produce?

posted by melissam to food & drink (13 comments total)

Go buy some thick, durable plastic bags, like freezer bags. Wash, dry, and reuse them.
posted by Help, I can't stop talking! at 1:16 PM on February 23

Lightweight mesh bags may be an option, like this. I'm still trying to remember to bring my canvas bags with me, but also dislike having to use the plastic bags for veggies.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 1:18 PM on February 23

wrap things in newspaper.
posted by furtive at 1:24 PM on February 23

Ah, found the one I was thinking of, onestringbag
posted by hungrysquirrels at 1:27 PM on February 23

For herbs or similar, I'd probably go with thick freezer bags that can be washed and re-used.

Alternatively -- and this ties into Alton Brown's preferred method for storing herbs -- you could take paper towels or non-lint teatowels and roll them up, then put the rolled towels in your burlap bag.
posted by holgate at 1:41 PM on February 23

If you're not crafty enough for the ones hungrysquirrels links, EcoBags sells some online.
posted by advicepig at 1:56 PM on February 23

The idea for DIY bags posted by hungrysquirrels looks cool. You could also just pick up or make some large-ish lightweight cotton scarves and try a furoshiki-style approach: weigh, wrap, toss leafy stuff in bag with rest of groceries?

Reusablebags.com seems to also carry produce bags here. I haven't used these specifically but I've bought all my string and ultraweight nylon bags from them and their prices and service were great.
posted by shelbaroo at 1:58 PM on February 23

I have these bags. You can also get them from reusablebags.com. They are heavier but much more durable than plastic bags. The cashier does have to open the bag to see what's inside but no one has complained yet. These look nice if you want lighter weight bags and aren't feeling crafty.
posted by jenne at 2:16 PM on February 23

Maybe it's because I'm a gardener, but it doesn't bother me to toss veggies all naked into a cloth bag with other stuff. When I get home, I put the veggies into semi-porous, reusable green plastic bags (Evert-Fresh). The bags seem to keep produce fresher than regular plastic and are sturdy & easy to wash.
posted by PatoPata at 3:17 PM on February 23 [1 favorite]

And now that I've actually read the site I linked to for the Evert-Fresh bags, I see that the gushing copy claims you can reuse them "up to 8, maybe 10 times!" I'd say more than that. I only throw a bag out if I've neglected its contents so horrendously that an evil slime has resulted.
posted by PatoPata at 3:21 PM on February 23

Seconding everything PatoPata says about EvertFresh bags. 'swhat I use, and I use them much more than 10 times.
posted by mumkin at 4:07 PM on February 23

I don't know if these are available outside Australia, but I really like my Onya Bags. Checkout specifically Onya Weigh.
posted by krisjohn at 5:49 PM on February 23

Google corn starch bags - they look like normal freezer bags but are supposed to be 100% biodegradable (though there could be other issues if people start using them in huge quantities to replace plastic bags - rising corn prices, the diversion of crops away from feeding people and towards packaging etc.)
posted by penguin pie at 5:32 AM on February 26