Spring 2012

Carried Away By Caletha Crawford

Ripe for Expansion

Reusable produce bags are quietly gaining a following among shoppers who are seeking to eliminate plastic entirely. “Produce bags have a lifespan of an hour,” explains Staci Samuelson, co-owner of 3B Bags of Highlands Ranch, CO. “Once the groceries are unloaded, they’re in the trash.” That’s one reason 3B Bags, which sells to grocery stores and the Container Store, opted to focused on this category exclusively. The company sells its polyester mesh bags in 3-packs with two regular sized bags and one larger option.

Bag the Habit also has a loyal customer for this product. Last year, the company updated its produce bags with a toggle closure. The mesh bags, which come in turquoise and green, are made from recycled materials, which owner Liz Long says consumers love. Though growing in popularity, Samuelson reports the awareness of these bags lags behind reusable shopping bags. “Even now, we have to do a lot of education,” she says, adding people often think the bags are designed to keep produce fresh in the fridge. Vendors agree the bags need better exposure at retail to sell. Samuelson suggests retailers hang them from the top of the produce cases. “They need to be displayed at eye level,” she says. “And I suggest putting fake produce in the bags so people can see what they’re for.”

Caletha Crawford

Caletha Crawford is a children's apparel expert, who consults with businesses in the industry on branding, launch strategies and marketing. Through her role as part-time faculty at Parsons, she continues her commitment to aiding emerging designers. She writes for a variety of publications and is addicted to playing Scrabble on her iPad.