It's been a long time since we generated more than a small bag of trash each week. The worms have multiplied and are even eating fallen apples from the neighbors arching tree. We recycle, reuse. We use cloth produce bags instead of plastic. It all makes a difference. And tonight I learned a new trick.
It was so obvious my mouth fell open and I stared.
I was buying blueberries , pouring them into a mesh bag and worrying about them getting squashed on the ride home. Staining the bag. Actually I didn't care if the bag got stained. But the guy beside me, he is neatly settling blueberries into a tupperware container. He handed the empty tub back to the vendor. "Thank you", he smiled, putting the lid on his tupperware.
I kept staring as he floated away.
I've carried a big red bowl to the grocery store for roasted chicken and I carry canvas sacks everywhere but I never thought to have a few containers with lids for the fragile items at the farmers' market.
It honestly would be no extra effort. I keep a canvas sack in the kitchen to catch the cotton produce bags, yogurt jars, egg cartons and strawberry baskets we use and return at the market. They're always ready. Having a couple containers with lids we return to the bag after each use - it would be easy.
It's so obvious. I'm embarrassed I didn't think of it.
Any other obvious ways to get food home or reduce the trash that you use?
1 day ago
11 comments:
That's a very smart idea! I have a whole stack of berry baskets I've been meaning to take back to the strawberry stand, but putting them straight into tupperware is an excellent idea.
Kendra - I love that strawberry stands still exist. They're as good if not better than a farmers market. And I appreciate that all the berry farmers take back the baskets that haven't changed for decades.
I don't have any other storage ideas...but, I wanted to write you regardless! I am also a fan of Mountains Beyond Mountains and Born Into Brothels! Nice to "meet" you!
Kristen - I was just thinking about MBM the other day and wishing for another book as inspiring. Thanks for saying, hi!
After reading your post, I'm very inspired to go beyond my reusable bags I carry to the farmers market and grocery store. Great ideas!
tiffany - I'm inspired that you're inspired. Thank you!
You've got some great ideas. For berries, I use the little baskets they provide at the market and then return them, but your method saves a step. For everything else (at the market) I use one of those woven baskets from Uganda. I got one for my birthday last year and I absolutely love it. And besides that, it looks cool. :)
Nothing new for you - just my little muslin bags for produce and sometimes a bigger cloth bag. Love the idea to bring tupperware for fragile items, though! Only other thought I had was to perhaps use a colander, since you'll need to wash em. Or a lettuce spinner?
Donna - I do always envy the people like you with the artful baskets, a bouquet of carrot tops curled over the edge while I'm hunched over with the weight of three melons, a bag of rice, eggs and four pounds of potatoes piled into some wrinkled canvas bags. It's not pretty. But it is fun. Someday I'll have a basket.
Jess Trev - You'll love this - I spin the lettuce outside in the cotton produce bags. It's exercise I reason and one less thing in the kitchen which is a big consideration in our small place. High fives to you and your muslin bags!
I think that is a great idea. I've only taken my bags there before - but a few pieces would be great.
Not a container - but I take our little wagon with me so either the kids can ride or I can roll things along. Helps if you buys large fruits.
Going Crunchy - It doesn't get much cuter than a Radio Flyer, a kid or two in it with carrot tops and a basket of strawberries. I hope you're getting pictures of your market adventures.
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