I love the idea and I've never been able to shop for produce without using the plastic bags to keep things separate, plus I like them to keep things sorted in my produce drawer in my fridge. I question whether the cashier will really be able to subtract .03 tare. Also I typically use the self check and have enough trouble with the machines wanting me to scan my cloth bags since they detect the weight still in my basket. I have to pull them out before placing the basket on the scale. Hopefully if this becomes popular they cashiers or produce prices will adapt to reflect that plastic bags are no longer used.

A great idea -- though we do re-use those thin produce bags several times as lightweight liners for our bathroom wastebaskets. They last a few weeks (but, if someone has a cold, we obviously don't reuse).

I made my own a couple years back - they weigh even less but admittedly aren't as cute. These look like a great option though. Reducing is always a better route!

p.s. A lot of stores give you a credit for bringing your own reusable bags, including produce bags. We get credit every shopping trip for each grocery and produce bag that we use.

I love this idea. The only time I grab one of those produce bags is, however, when I'm buying something that's wet (like asparagus that's been sitting in water) I'm assuming that the mesh material isn't waterproof, but if it is, sign me up.

I was looking for something along these lines and came across these recently:

http://www.gourmetseed.com/category/gourmet_seed.tools___supplies.mesh_produce_bags/

They're very economical, and I'm someone who is constantly losing bags so the idea of buying 10 at a time doesn't phase me, but they might not be for everyone.

I always wondered if you use these, do they charge you for the extra weight of your bag?

I've been meaning to buy some of these for a while now. There are a bunch Etsy sellers that make them. I'm not sure how the prices compare--I think they're cheaper, like $1 or 2 a bag. But I don't think I've seen any that are as cute as these.

We use our thin plastic produce bags to line our compost bin under the sink. And speaking of lining garbage bins with plastic bags, what do others use, now that we are bringing reusable bags to the grocery store? I had to buy a box of plastic garbage bags recently because I had nothing left for my garbage! What do the rest of you do?

These are great because you can easily see in them, but less expensive and WET PRODUCE ones I like from Hannah's Toybox on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=33717894
I also use the wet ones for other wet things like swimsuits or last weekend I took it skiing to put wet socks and gloves in apres ski. (2 for $10 for wet, or 2 for $5 dry.)

I always bring my own grocery bags to the market with me, but yes, I always think about how I'm wasting the plastic produce bags. I like this idea! These are super cute and I like that they are translucent so you can see what's in the bag.

I worry about the veggies picking up harmful bacteria on the conveyor belt. I know, I should wash all my veggies when I get them home. I would prefer it if the bags had a covered bottom.

nomadchicky - I do buy plastic garbage bags. I haven't figured out anything else. I do, however, use random bags (chips bags, newspaper delivery bags I got through Freecycle, etc.) for used cat litter, instead of the myriad plastic grocery bags I used to get. I haven't figured out anything else yet. On the other hand, I never used grocery bags for kitchen garbage, anyway.

P.S. My fiancé keep ponies, so he uses big empty paper feed bags in his kitchen garbage pail. Not aesthetically pleasing, but green.

i use my supply of orange bags for my produce. They are big enuf for my greens, and of course work great for apples, oranges, etc.

I always use my reusable baggu bags, but when I need plastic to line my trash cans, I make my weekly trip to Target (they're more sturdy) without my reusables.

Is it necessary to put your produce in a bag at all? I don't use them and I've never had any problems. I suppse if you're buying for a large family, say 15 apples, but otherwise I just throw everything in the cart.

nomadchicky: Kudos for your resolve with the bags! I'm a pro at avoiding them, but my husband slips up often, so we're never short on trash can liners. You might be interested in reading the "month without plastic" blog by the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/monthwithoutplastic/

The writer struggled most with not being able to use trash can liners. She wrapped some of her waste in newspaper and put everything directly in the can. When it was all over she referenced can liners as one of the primary items she planned to begin using again.

Definitely something to consider.

Eewww-I've never, ever, ever seen asparagus in WATER at the grocery store. In fact, "watering" the produce is a terrible idea at those large supermarkets that do it--encourages slime and wiltiness and yuck...

Whole Foods sells cottony mesh bags for produce also (I think 2 for about $5) But I do agree with dzwinkler--you don't even NEED produce bags for MOST items-not all.

Burnttoast- the asparagus is not submerged. They are bundled and stood upright so the cut stems sit in fresh water.

Hi everyone, it's Christine from Bite. Wow, thanks for all of your interest and comments. I thought I'd try to help answer a few questions. Yes, most cashiers will understand the concept of a tare and be happy to subtract it from the weight of the bag with produce. The bags are very lightweight, and at the same time, exceptionally durable. One feature we worked hard on was ensuring that they would be machine washable, and by that, I also mean, once washed, they'd still work hard for you and look great - and I'm happy to say that both are true - ones I've been using for 9 months look as good as new!
While the bags are not waterproof, they do a great job of containing dampness inside the bag.
We used to put a lot of produce directly in the cart too - but there were still many a time when we had many small items, often delicate, like tomatoes. Or something small like brussel sprouts or mushrooms that just need to be contained.
And finally, we have many customers who use the bags as lunch sacks or snack sacks, or for bulk items (such as oats, nuts, lentils, etc) at markets like Whole Foods as well.

these are great for produce, excellent.

Does anyone have any solutions for buying grains, oatmeal, nuts, and flours in bulk? Seems that a lot of these would be good for the nuts and stuff, but flours??

Thanks

I always try to buy most of my produce from the Farmer's Market, where I throw everything into a canvas sack, but when I do have to pick up produce at the grocery store I always make sure to take my 'Debbie Meyer Green Bags' (as seen on TV!) with me. They REALLY do work, making produce last way longer than those plastic ones. I don't know how they do it, but they work.

Then, when I get home I don't have to hassle changing them into the green bags, and everything is ready to go!

http://www.abbeycatchat.com