How To Curate Your Own Sustainable Shopping Kit
Every City Dweller has different needs when doing their produce shopping, but the formula for curating a sustainable shopping kit is the same. We have tried and tested many products to carry our produce home safely and these are the items we won’t leave home without and neither should you.
No°1 The Big Bags
while rolling bags may seem convenient, they can be bulky and hard to navigate on outdoor terrain. it’s best to keep yourself as compact as possible when shopping at the farmers markets. depending on the size of your household and the amount of shopping that needs to be done, one to two large durable shopping bags is best. make sure they are high in quality and can hold at least 100 lbs. bonus points if its stylish.
No°2 The Little Bags
while cotton produce bags are highly rated in sustainable kit essentials by others they are not in ours. these beige produce bags will often get lint attached from the washing machine, they stain easily, and sometimes they just don’t fit whatever you are purchasing at the market. we like to opt using a simple dark tote bag or a set of Baggu bags in a darker color to curb the tie-dye summer berry aesthetic. Best of all they can accommodate the bulky size of those green garlic stalks you have your eye on.
No°3 The Jar
the secret to carrying berries without smashing them is by bringing a jar (sometimes we bring a funnel too if we are planning to buy a lot of berries). many farmers want to keep those cute cartons that they display berries in so they can reuse them, which means you are getting your berries in a plastic bag that is going to sit in the summer sun pressed up against all your other produce like a kids face smooshing the glass of a candy store window until you get home. by using a jar, your berries will stay in tack through travel. we recommend using a quart size jar.
No°4 The Meal Kit
after waking up early and walking in the sun you may be craving that wood hearth cooked pizza at the end of the market. bringing a meal kit makes sure you can skip the plasticware. there are many styles of flatware, tiffins, to-go cups, and hankies, but having one that suits your style is essential. if you anticipate an impromptu picnic you may want to include a light-weight blanket too. Here is a list of what we keep in our meal kit.
flatware: fork, knife, spoon
tiffin: in case you have leftovers or need somewhere to rest your half eaten apple (bonus points if you save the core in the tiffin to compost when you get home)
hanky: works as a placemat, a napkin, and a to-go bag for that croissant you bought even though you knew your eyes were bigger than your stomach
to-go cup: durable glass works best to accommodate coffee, juice, or tea without leaving a weird flavor behind after you wash it
a water bottle: this one feels self explanatory, stay hydrated ya’ll
hand sanitizer: we love byhumandkind refillable sanitizer
a blanket: if eating outside in the grass is your thing
No°5 A Simplified Purse
skip juggling your tote bags, credit card, and phone when you’re at the market and downsize your purse for the day. your shoulder will thank you.
No°6 Baguette & Butter Seasonal Field Guide
use our seasonal field guide to help you navigate the farmer’s market. this helpful tiny little book collection, designed to fit in your shopping tote, will help you learn all about the local produce in your city. each produce has its own profile to help you identify, cook and pair it with other seasonal ingredients.
