Ode to a Grocery Bag

How do I love thee? Let's just say a lot. Plastic bags are so Twentieth Century. We all know what to answer when the grocery clerk asks, "Paper or plastic?" So many people answer, "Neither, I brought my own reusable bags!" Towns are getting serious with the stragglers who still bag with plastic and banning the things altogether. 

As a person who is building a business around "Hand-sewn alternatives to plastic," I am thrilled with the bags I now offer in my shop that mimic the typical plastic grocery bag. I'm not just the president of this reduce-plastic club, I'm a member too. I thought I would show you what these babies can handle, based on a recent grocery run. This is now my go-to bag that I tuck inside my purse for all those small errands: craft store, library, mid-week grocery stops, CSA pickup, pharmacy, hardware store, garden center, you name it. If you're doing a week's worth of grocery shopping, bring a few.

Look how cute it is! This one is made from organic cotton fabrics ($28). The interior is the pink handle fabric.

This is what the one bag held at the grocery store: 2 cartons chicken stock, 1 jar pasta sauce, 1 quart half and half, small bag of pecans, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, one large can crushed pineapple, 1.5 pounds of stew meat and 1.5 pounds of shaved steak--for cheesesteaks, yum... (I packed the bag, baggers and clerks can still be a bit grouchy when you bring your own bags. Too bad!)

The bag is lined, reversible and super sturdy. Your arm will give out before the bag when you stuff it full.

Several options--vegetable prints, pretty floral prints, even some upcycled fabrics. Don't see something you love? Tell me what you would like and I can make it for you.

All too often I see this picture around town as I go about my day. (a plastic grocery bag from Stop n Shop) 

This was my view just this morning on a walk. Plastic shopping bags strewn throughout a field overlooking the river. At $22/bag, it's well worth the investment to help prevent the above picture.

It makes me sad, angry and frustrated at the same time. We've only been using plastic for a couple of decades. I saw a great tidbit a while back (and forget where it came from to properly cite), that went something like this: "We were able to win WWII without the use of any plastic." How has this modern convenience gotten so out of control?

I hope that you will start using reusable bags. Today. I don't even care if you buy them from me or from someone else (just please don't buy those vinyl snack bags in the Target $1 bin!). My snack bags are for sale at Clements Market in Portsmouth, my grocery bags are available in my shop, or send me an email since I love working with you to find the right fabric so that you love your bags so much you can't help but use them all the time.